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The George, Southwark

Borough High Street in SE1 was once on the route between Canterbury, the country's major centre of pilgrimage, and the main crossing over the Thames into London. It was a busy road and a number of galleried inns were established to serve travellers. The Tabard Inn, the starting point for the pilgrimage in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales once stood here, as did the White Hart, which provided settings in Shakespeare's Henry the Fourth, Part 2. Between these two inns, now lost, stood the George. Like the other inns the George had double tiered galleries around three sides of a courtyard. In summer months this courtyard was used to stage plays, and is, therefore, a forerunner of purpose built theatres, the first of which opened in 1576. It is very probable that Shakespeare watched plays here and had his own performed. The recreation of Shakespeare's Globe, originally opening in 1599, is nearby on Bankside. The George's galleries are clearly mirrored in the galleried design of the Globe.

The George known by Shakespeare burnt down in 1676, but it was immediately rebuilt to the original plan. Sadly part of the galleried courtyard was destroyed at the beginning of the twentieth century to make way for an office building.

The George is now owned by the National Trust. It is a working pub and restaurant and is open during normal licensing hours.

Directions: The George is in Borough High Street, Southwark, close to the junction with Southwark Street. It stands in a courtyard set back from the road. Click here for an interactive road and satellite map centred on the George.

Access: The interior of the building would be difficult fot those with mobility problems. There is level access to the tables in the courtyard.

Contact: 020 7407 2056