The George Townhouse, a beautifully restored Georgian pub with 15 bedrooms, re-opened on Wednesday 27th April 2016. Located in the historic centre of the picturesque Cotswolds market town of Shipston-on-Stour, Warwickshire, this handsome Grade II listed Georgian Inn was bought by new owners, Brakspear, in May 2015. Brakspear immediately began restoring much of the original building’s heritage before enhancing the Georgian interiors using stylish antiques and modern finishes to create a casual, yet elegant townhouse feel throughout.
The Bar and The Pantry restaurant features reclaimed oak floors, open fireplaces, bright, contemporary colours and bold patterns teamed with quirky light fittings, interesting art works and curious bric-a-brac, reflecting the Georgian era. There’s private dining for 12 in The Carriage Room, while the Garden Room overlooks a decked patio area, which can be cordoned off for private events.
The George’s large, open Bar offers an extensive range of cask ales including Brakspear Bitter and Brakspear Oxford Gold, both brewed in nearby Witney. North Cotswolds ‘Shagweaver, craft beers, lagers, guest beers and ciders are also on offer. There are 20 wines available by the glass and a list of 60 by the bottle. Spirits include a specialty gin menu featuring 10 iconic and award-winning gins such as Cotswold Gin, Tarquin’s Cornish Gin and Martin Miller’s.
Dining at The George
The Pantry restaurant seats 40 and offers simple British classics. Head chef, James Neve, takes food seriously and is passionate about sourcing British and local, seasonal produce wherever possible. Expect outdoor-reared pork and beef from Todenham Manor Farm, four miles away, eggs from nearby Hazelwood Manor Farm, Cotswold Gold rapeseed oil and locally baked Blackmans Artisan bread on the weekly changing menus.
The Pantry Breakfast includes a ‘Within Five Miles’ full English. Lunch includes a Prix Fixe menu of two courses at £11.95 for and three courses for £15.95 served at both lunch and in the early evening. The all day à la carte menu, includes James Neve’s signature dish, Slow Cooked ox cheek with smoked mash, pickled red cabbage and horseradish. Afternoon tea is served from 2.30pm until 5pm and includes champagne and Gin options.
On Sundays, the ‘Sunday Family Serve Roasts’ lunch menu includes a choice of three meats served on a large platter, with Yorkshire puddings, roast vegetables, pigs in blankets, a large bowl of roast potatoes, seasonal vegetables, cauliflower cheese and a large jug of gravy, £16.50 per person.
Bedrooms
The George’s 15 very comfortable, individually decorated, en-suite bedrooms for twin and double occupancy come with luxurious en-suite showers and/or roll-top baths. Brakspear’s in-house designer, Laura Morgan, chose calming shades of green and grey by Farrow & Ball, dramatic graphic print wallpapers and linen-covered headboards and king-size beds by Feather & Black. Soft velvet curtains and cushions by Linwood, Romo and Warwick, mohair and woollen throws on beds, Egyptian cotton sheets and duck down pillows and duvets, add to the luxurious feel. Underfoot, neutral, loop pile carpets and in the beautifully tiled, high-spec bathrooms, cast iron roll-top baths and/or rainfall showers by Burlington, with toiletries by Temple Spa.
Quirky and stylish touches include antiques painted in contemporary colours, vintage GPO telephones, alarm clocks in Smartie brights and industrial-style, wall-hung, brass bedside lamps. All rooms feature free wifi, digital radio, Samsung flatscreen TV, Nespresso coffee machine and tea-making facilities.
The George is located on the bustling main street of the picturesque market town of Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire, North Cotswolds, 10 miles south of Stratford-upon-Avon.
Brakspear’s retail director, Paul Gilchrist says, “Our vision for The George is to create a real connection and a sense of belonging within the community by being the heartbeat of Shipston-on-Stour.”
The George Townhouse
8 High Street,
Shipston-on-Stour
Warwickshire
CV36 4AJ
01608 661453
www.thegeorgeshipston.co.uk