We are delighted to announce that the winner of the South Oxfordshire Pub of the Year 2023 is the George, Sutton Courtenay. This Oak Taverns owned pub won a very close competition, in which the other candidates, the Spire & Spoke, Watlington; the Plough, Long Wittenham; the Red Lion, Brightwell-cum-Sotwell and the Plum Pudding, Milton all scored strongly.

Saved from Greene King, the local independent pub company, Oak Taverns, purchased the George (or George & Dragon as it was named then) in December 2019. It lies in the heart of the village of Sutton Courtenay and is an imposing 16th century Historic England Grade II-listed half-timbered pub, with genuine beams inside, but with a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. The pub overlooks the village War Memorial on the green and is adjacent to All Saints Church, where in the churchyard lie both Lord Asquith, Prime Minister of Great Britain at the outbreak of the First World War, and Eric Blair, better known as the novelist George Orwell.

The George is primarily a wet-led pub and serves an excellent pint of locally-brewed Amwell Springs Rude Not To and Loose Cannon Abingdon Bridge cask ales. A third changing beer is also offered during the busy summer months. Rotating street food vendors are available on some Friday and Saturday evenings, with pizzas and Japanese street food currently on offer. A small deli counter has also been set up just inside the entrance, before entry to the two main bars to the left and right. This sells local produce, both sweet and savoury, coffee and cakes to both pub customers and passing trade. Pies, scotch eggs, sausage rolls and pre-packed sandwiches are available to take into the bars and enjoy with your pint. Small picnic hampers can also be made up for visitors. The pub is a great asset for the local community and the regular pub quiz on Tuesday evenings is very popular.

Many congratulations to the licensees Rodney and Hanna Parker on this Award. The Branch will be making a presentation to them on 23rd March.