The George
- Records 1172 to lat 19C ex OHC and Susses Archaelological Society
- Oxford Mail 29 February 1980 re restoration of The George by Geoffrey Young
- History of The George 1570s to 1970
- Extracts from Jackson's Oxford Journal re The George 1766-1808
- The Granary
- The Wall Painting at the Old George in High Street, see also photo of this
Details of the George (1570 - 1984) and also about The Granary which was originally one of the outbuildings of The George.
Also report on the wall paintings with one photo (many sketches also can be seen in WVA).
This was a packhorse inn in the 16th century, being on the old coaching route and thus attracting passing trade. After coaches were re-routed along the London Road, it closed as an inn. About 1830, it was converted into three tenements and remained so until 1959 when it was converted to two homes. The stable block at the rear of the property has long-since disappeared. See the file on The George History for more detail including details of the award from Oxford Preservation Trust in 1984.
Listing details state 'Inn, now shop and dwelling. Mid/late C16, refronted early C18. Coursed squared limestone rubble with ashlar dressings; old plain-tile roof with brick stacks. 3-unit plan with through entry. 2 storeys. 5-window front with ashlar quoins has carriage entry to right of centre with semi-circular arch, keyblock and imposts and above it a window. Flanking bays have single windows at ground and first floors with pairs of windows to extreme left bay. All have heavy stone segmental arches and C20 sashes. Additional windows have been inserted in the right bay.
Entrances in carriage entry. Rear has restored timber-framed gallery. Interior: Two 4-centre arched stone fireplaces with recessed spandrels; large open inglenook fireplace with massive stone segmental arch; first floor wall painting dated to c.1570; butt-purlin roofs'.
Mr and Mrs Young had inherited the house about four years previously, with the arch stoned up, and the gallery built into the house. The former early 16th century inn had been turned into three tenements in the 1700s, the middle one completely blocking the former arch, and the large inn rooms divided up.
It took them 1½ years to restore the fine stone building to its original appearance. It is now their home, with a gift shop in the former tap-room.
Other assorted documents relating to The George can only be seen in WVA.