The George Inn
The last galleried coaching inn in London. The George is now owned by the National Trust.
The first map of Southwark (Duchy of Lancaster ca1543) clearly shows it marked as 'Gorge'. It was formerly known as the George and Dragon, named after the legend of Saint George and the Dragon. There were many such inns in this part of London.
In 1677 the George was rebuilt after a serious fire that destroyed most of medieval Southwark.
It is known that galleried inns were used for Elizabethan theatrical productions (Inn-yard theatre). It is thought that the Players were on a dais in the courtyard with the standing audience next to them and that those paying a premium would be in the galleries with a better view.
Later, the Great Northern Railway used the George as a depot and pulled down two of its fronts to build warehousing. Now just the south face remains.
The George was one of the many famous coaching inns in the days of Charles Dickens. Dickens in fact visited the George and referred to it in Little Dorrit.
Coordinates: 51°30'15.37"N 0°05'24.65"W
