3rd November 2008
Locals, ramblers and music lovers are all welcome at The George Hotel in Brailes nr Banbury in Oxfordshire.
New tenants Dave and Sue Wiggins have ambitious plans to make the Grade II listed building swing with the sound of conversation and laughter and even the occasional Dixie jazz band.
The former hosts of the Killingworth Castle Inn in Woodstock, where bands of many musical genres played, have bought music back to The George – a venue with a famed reputation for its musical evenings.
“Friday and Saturday are music nights,” said Dave. “Folk, blues, soft rock and these days anything we can sing along too will all have their place.”
And the couple hope that the back room where the musicians play will also host a jam session for local folk musicians during the week.
Three Hook Norton ales are sold in the front bar – and Dave has quickly got a reputation for a man who knows his beer - “Hooky Bitter is by far the best seller,” he said. “It is the first choice beer of most of my adult customers, irrespective o of their age.”
The food is traditional English - sausage & mash, lamb shank, fish pie and corn beef hash all feature and the children have their own menu too.
“The Sunday lunches are a real hit,” said Sue. “We always do beef and either lamb or pork and a vegetarian option of course. “It is great value for only for £7.95, and proving so popular that people are advised to book.”
The pub is a favourite of dominoes fans, welcomes darts players and in the summer plans to run an Aunt Sally team.
Morris sides are welcomed, - as are ramblers who can leave their cars in the pub’s large car park while out walking - sensible groups order food before they go - safe in the knowledge it will be ready for them when they return.
A free wifi network operates in the pub and it is proving a favourite with the many business travellers and visitors who stay in the pubs en-suite bedrooms. Overnight guests have the choice of a full English breakfast or something lighter in the morning.
Outside there is a well maintained garden, with a large covered veranda, where barbecues are planned for the summer.
HOGs could soon be seen in the pub’s car park, but they won’t be on the barbecue. Dave is a keen motorcyclist and his pride and joy a Harley Davison, is currently being rebuilt, but he hopes members of the Harley Owners Group will pop by while they are on their way through the pretty Oxfordshire countryside.
Doges are welcome. No food is served on Monday lunchtime. Opening hours Monday-Friday noon-pm and 5.30pm to 11pm. Saturday 11am-11pm and noon to 11pm on Sunday . Lunch is served until 4pm on Sunday, with pizzas available in the evenings.
Brailes is a large village along the B4035 with a huge variety of historic buildings to see. The church site is a thousand years old and the existing building dates back to the early 1300's. Known as St. George's Church it has the second largest six bell peal in the world. The tenor bell weighs one and a half tons. Just south of the village you will find the earthworks of a medieval castle.
Dave and Sue Wiggins
Phone: 01608 685223
The George Hotel
Brailes
Banbury
Oxon,
OX15 5HN
