George & Pilgrims, Glastonbury

Built between 1455 and 1475 by Abbot Selwood to accommodate pilgrims and other visitors to Glastonbury Abbey. It claims to be the oldest purpose-built public house in the South West. The three-storey building is of stone with a highly decorative façade resembling a small castle with battlements and having mullioned windows and three stone carved shields. These include the arms of Edward IV; St. George's Cross; the third is unattributable. The original plan shows two rooms on the left of the wide flagstone passage from the two magnificent studded oak front doors; two narrow rooms on the right; and a newel staircase on the rear right which is still in use to access the bedrooms on the first and second floors. The landings have half-timbered walls and an exposed section of wattle and daub.

The present bar was a residents’ bar (the public bar was behind it and is now a kitchen and dining room) and occupies the front left and rear left rooms with wonderful oak walls on the passage side, and which have been joined together by removing a portion of the dividing wall, possibly in the 1950s (?). Old photos describe the front room as 'Abbots Parlour' and a later one as 'The Smoke Room'. The rear room is described as 'The Lounge' and no photos show the existence of bar fittings in the past. The counter on the rear left appears to have been added in the late 1950s with its distinctive copper features all along the front. The lower part of the bar back may date from a similar time but the carved upper super structure is more modern - possibly added in the 1980s (?). In the front section is an original heavily carved stone Tudor arch shaped fireplace, six section ceiling created by carved beams, front bay windows with stained and leaded panels including a number of colourful ones. In the rear section is a large inglenook fireplace with a central section of narrow bricks and lots of Delft tiling to the left and right of it; either side of the fireplace is some fielded panelling to two-thirds height - this seem inter-war work but in a display case there is a photo of this room in its present state but which claims to date from the late 1800s.

The walls either side of the flagstone passage are of thick oak. On the right the two rooms have been joined together and are used by drinkers and diners. Modern extensions at the rear of the hotel contain dining rooms, reception, toilets etc. The bar is open from 11 to 11 (12 to 10 Sunday).