A pleasant night out in the Feldon.

The Cotswolds is one of the most beautiful parts of England and is a delightful area to visit at any time of the year. Its rolling hills and woodlands give shelter to chocolate – box thatched medieval stone-built villages, fine looking historical towns, outstanding churches, stately homes and stunning gardens. Many unique features originate from the use of the distinctive Cotswold honey – coloured Jurassic limestone. Encompassing an area across six counties, most notably Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire, but also parts of Warwickshire, the Cotswolds includes many beautiful small towns & villages such as Brailes.

Brailes is a civil parish about 3 miles (5 km) east of Shipston-on-Stour in Warwickshire. The village is part of the parish of Brailes, which includes both Lower and Upper Brailes, situated in the north Cotswolds. They are often referred to as one village, as the two villages adjoin each other. The village is characterized by its traditional English architecture, with stone cottages and historic buildings. The area is popular with hikers exploring the historic “Feldon” region of Warwickshire. Feldon is an Old English word meaning “the land from which the timber has been cleared away” or an historic term for the open “field-land”. The countryside south of the River Avon in Warwickshire was historically more open than the much denser Arden forest, in the north.

I was visiting The George at Brailes, situated on the High Street in Lower Brailes, a historic, Grade II listed, 16th-century traditional coaching inn with its building origins dating back to the 14th century, with some structural changes made during the 16th & 18th centuries.

The George Hotel, as it was once named, would have offered overnight accommodation, not only for travellers but also stabling for horses during the golden age of stagecoaches. This historic 16th century coaching Inn would have seen travellers arrive at the Inn, on horseback, mule, foot or horse -drawn carriages, stopping at the George Hotel for some food, refreshment and much needed rest. Sometimes their visits would be fleeting, but at other times both the horses and weary travellers would be accommodated overnight in their rooms & stables. Evidence of the original stables can still be found alongside the archway to the car park, at the side of the Inn.

The pub is named after St. George, not King George! According to local folklore, the pub sign depicts St. George and the Dragon, because the stone masons who helped build St. George’s Church, opposite the pub, stayed in a building on the site of the inn during the 1300s, suggesting the building has been in use for many centuries. It was certainly a going concern as a public house by 1585, when a landlord is recorded to have died and left a will detailing his possessions.

The George has had a very interesting history over the centuries. For many years, it was associated with the local Hook Norton Brewery, but in 2025, The George became the latest addition to the Freespirit Pub Co family, when they took on the lease and following an extensive refurbishment, they reopened the pub on September 27, this year, aiming to retain much of its historical character, whilst offering the essentials of modern hospitality. The George still retains many original features such as the two inglenook fireplaces, flagstone floors, low oak beams and exposed brickwork.

With its honey-hued stone, cosy interiors, and a strong sense of community spirit, The George is everything a village pub should be. Expect fantastic seasonal dishes, locally sourced drinks and a warm welcome. The George also has a very large pub garden and covered area, which is perfectly suited for private events & large gatherings. During the warmer months, the spacious patio and garden, are the perfect spot for a spot of al fresco dining and drinks in the sunshine.

Inside, you’ll find roaring log fires, exceptional food, and a welcoming traditional bar offering a fine selection of local ales, wines, and spirits. Whether you’re popping in for a pint, the bar has an excellent choice of ales and fine wines, seasonal tipples and hand stirred cocktails, teas and coffees. The local Hook Norton Brewery is well represented at the bar, with four ales on tap, Hooky Best Bitter, Old Hooky Premium Ale and Greedy Goose Winter Ale.

Rosie`s Pig, a Rhubarb Cloudy Cider from Westons Cider Co, Guinness, Sundial IPA, Peacemaker Medium Dry Cider from the Warwickshire, Napton Cidery, Angelo Poretti and Estrella are also on tap. There are a range of snacks available from the bar including the very popular, Pork Crackling and Apple sauce. There is also a Lunch Menu offering everything from freshly made sandwiches served with crisps, Chicken Caesar Salads and various omelette fillings. The pub bar has loads of character with plenty of comfortable seating, armchairs around the inglenook fireplace, exposed stone walls & brickwork, flagstone flooring and smart pastel shades.

The six comfortable en-suite guest rooms, are each furnished in a modern style but with plenty of historic character. There is a choice of a standard double, cosy double, or four poster double. All rooms are fitted with double beds, or as a twin room, smart en-suite bathrooms, with character and the usual tea and coffee making facilities, flat screen television and free Wi-Fi connections.

Our large four poster double bed was very comfortable with plenty of soft pillows and extra cushions. Two bedside tables, a small table and a much-appreciated large wardrobe, with plenty of hangers. Our room, Dassett, looked out over the rear garden and village to the right aspect. We both enjoyed a good night’s sleep with no disturbances. The six bedrooms are located on the first floor, up a staircase, so are not suitable for guests with mobility issues.

The George has long served as a central part of village life, and used to have an Aunt Sally pitch, a traditional Warwickshire pub game, but I don’t know whether this is still played there!  Freespirit Pubs promotes The George as a “proper village pub with a strong community ethos, selling good food, delicious drinks, character rooms & a warm welcome.

During the evening, I noticed several people come in from the village, not only to eat in the restaurant, but to sit and enjoy a drink with friends in the bar. It is obviously still very much a local for the community as well as a fine place to eat. The bar is the perfect spot for enjoying a quiet drink, reading the newspapers or sharing a bite to eat with friends or family.

My wife and I were able to enjoy an evening meal in the inclusive restaurant area. Plenty of low oak beams and exposed stone gave the restaurant a fantastic vibe. It was such a wonderful place in which to sit and enjoy our evening meal. Despite it being a Monday evening before the busy Christmas holiday period, there were a number of tables occupied with diners.

Mains.

Local Pork Sausages & Creamy Mash, Caramelised Onion Gravy, Roasted Carrot, Cavolo Nero Kale, Watercress, Tenderstem Green Beans and Smoked Bacon.

The classic Bangers and Mash, a couple of meaty sausages alongside creamy mashed potatoes, served with a rich caramelised onion gravy. What is there not to like about this classic dish? The mash was wonderful, the sausages awesome. Can I eat it again please?

Breast of Duck, Pavé Potato, Savoy Cabbage, Roasted Parsnips, Watercress & Cherry Jus

The duck was soft to the bite, and had a rich, succulent flavour, a smooth, lean meaty texture and crispy outer skin. The delicious light fine Cherry Jus sauce perfectly complimented the delicate duck. The thin Pavé slices of potato were wonderful. A culinary masterpiece!

Dessert.

Rum & Nutmeg Cheesecake and Spiced Rum Berries

A classic cheesecake of rum and nutmeg for Christmas! Delicious!

Christmas Pudding and Brandy Custard

I simply love Christmas pudding, so there was only one choice as far as I was concerned. It set me up for Christmas immediately! Satisfying!

All of the dishes served to our table were beautifully presented, using whenever possible locally sourced ingredients. The table service and hospitality were exceptional, our waitress offered advice, explaining some of the detail within the menu. The food, wine and table service, made for a wonderful evening to remember.

I must admit to trying some of my wife’s meal too and I thought both were beautifully cooked and presented to the table. Our dining experience in The George was one to remember, not least because of the young staff who were all exceptionally welcoming and helpful with humour & some interesting conversation. The Award-winning food combined with the personal and attentive service helped create a superb dining experience. After our meal we retreated to the bar to enjoy a quiet coffee, which was a very pleasant space in which to end our evening.

Breakfast was well worth getting up for too, the menu listed a wide choice of options including Spiced Smashed Avocado, Eggs Royale, Florentine or Benedict or a Mexican Omelette, made with salsa, guacamole, harissa & pea shoots. I opted for The George Full English which included Smoked Back Bacon, Hook Norton Sausage, Black Pudding, Button Mushrooms, Baked Beans, Hash Brown, Tomato and Poached Eggs, served with warm toast, which I was able to prepare to my liking, at the toaster. A George Vegetarian Breakfast was also available, with vegetarian sausages, chargrilled halloumi, mushrooms, tomato, hash browns, baked beans and eggs, cooked just as you like them!

My wife was very pleased with her Eggs Royale. Poached Eggs, Smoked Salmon, Toasted Sourdough Bread and a Pot of Hollandaise Sauce, which was prepared as she had requested. We were then able to order as much Hot Tea or coffee, as we could handle, which was a great way to start our day.

So, what can you expect at The George at Brailes? I would not hesitate to recommend The George at Brailes, if you are planning to visit the Cotswolds or simply passing through. Why not stop and experience their superb food and hospitality, you will not be disappointed. The overall experience at The George at Brailes was very enjoyable and satisfying. All of the staff whether on reception, serving at table or at the bar presented a smart, professional, and efficient service. The hotel offers excellent overnight accommodation options, superb restaurant meals and excellent table service in a wonderful village location.

I simply loved it. I am already looking forward to my next visit! I will return!

Disclosure: My visit to The George at Brailes was courtesy of FreeSpiritPubs & Mark Higgs.

The views and comments expressed are as usual my own.

Did You Know? The name “Brailes” is thought to originate either from the Old Welsh Breg-lis – “hill court” or the Old English Byrgels “burial place”. Just south of the village you will find the earthworks of a medieval castle at Castle Hill Motte, a natural knoll used from Pre-Roman times and made higher in the Norman era to form the motte of a motte-and-bailey castle.

The “Cathedral of the Feldon” refers to the St. George’s parish church in Lower Brailes, a local nickname given due to its impressive size and tall tower, which is comparable to that of a cathedral and the valley it sits in. In 2025, it celebrates its 900 years anniversary! I was told that the church has the second largest six bell peal in the United Kingdom! The tenor bell weighs one and a half tons. The church itself has origins dating back to the 12th century, though much of the existing structure was rebuilt between 1325 and 1375. Excavations in 1879 had unearthed 12th-century foundations, but the church’s current south aisle dates to about 1280. Building work on the church continued into the 14th century, with the present chancel and east window from this period. The local golf course is also called Feldon Valley Golf Club.