George, Sutton Courtenay

Purchased by Oak Taverns in Dec 2019, previously owned by Greene King. Imposing 17th-century, Grade II-listed, half-timbered pub, with genuine beams inside. The pub had a make-over in summer 2021, including a name change from the previous George & Dragon. The are two spacious bars to the left and right of the entrance, with the left hand bar having a traditional beamed ceiling and real fire. Beyond the right hand bar is a further small and comfortably furnished room that can serve as a meeting room for small groups of up to around a dozen people.

There is an attractive enclosed outdoor drinking area to the rear that has a large covered and paved seating area, and a garden with sensory features for children to enjoy.

Although a wet-led pub, a small deli counter has been added just inside the entrance, This sells local produce, both sweet and savoury, coffee and cakes to pub customers and passing trade. Pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and pre-packed sandwiches are available to take into the bars and enjoy with your pint. Small picnic hampers can also be made up for visitors.

There are occasional pop-up street food vans on Friday or Saturday evenings usually from 5pm to 9pm - check their Facebook page for details (please note that it is extremely unlikely that there will be pop-ups on both the Friday and the Saturday in the same week).

Ideally situated on the main road through the village, the pub overlooks the village War Memorial on the green and is adjacent to the village church. In the churchyard lie Lord Asquith - Prime Minister of Great Britain at the outbreak of the First World War (described on his tomb as 'Prime Minister of England', England was commonly used for Great Britain in those days) and Eric Blair, better known as the novelist George Orwell.

The Abingdon Bridge and Rude Not To are pretty much the regular beers on offer, but one may occasionally be changed out to try something else, usually from the same two local breweries. One changing beer has been added to the two regular ales for the weekends from October 2023.

The Historic England website entry for this pub is viewable by left clicking on https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1052728.

South Oxfordshire CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023.