From the Archives: The George Inn, Southwark

Formerly known as George and the Dragon, the original inn was destroyed in the Great Fire of Southwark in 1676. The existing 17th century building was rebuilt to the original plan.  

Before the rise of purpose-built theatres, plays were often performed in the open courtyard of galleried inns. In fact, inns like the George inspired Elizabethan open-air timber-framed theatres like the Globe.  

Is it possible that Shakespeare, whose birthday is also celebrated today, drank or even performed here? The first incarnation of the Globe Theatre, which opened in 1599, was just a stone's throw away, so he would almost certainly have been familiar with the George.  

Image: Nick Fraser CC BY-SA 3

In the early 20th century, the George was owned by train company LNER and used as a depot. However, by 1937 the LNER was concerned the building was in such a dangerous state that it would either cost too much to repair or need to be demolished. It offered the building up to the National Trust.  

The SPAB was asked to survey the building and reported that it was in fact not in danger. It was structurally sound and 'although there is much that can be done, there is even more that would be better left undone to preserve the individual quality of this building’.  

The report, documented in the SPAB archive, stated that not only could it be repaired for a fraction of what was initially thought, but actually the less money spent the better since ‘more damage to ancient buildings has been done by money than by lack of money.’ 

The George Inn was taken over by the National Trust in 1937 and is leased by a private company. It is still a popular tourist attraction due to its literary connections, including Shakespeare and Dickens, as well as its unique architectural significance.