The George, Brailes – a proper local pub run with passion
Locals, ramblers and food lovers are all welcome at the George Hotel in Brailes nr Banbury in Oxfordshire.
New tenants Bill & Charmaine Leadbeater say they want the George to be a proper pub at the heart of its community, "where people can just pop in for a pint or two of Hook Norton ale and have something to eat if they want to".
The former hosts of the Mason's Arms in Swerford, where Bill won many awards for the quality of his cooking, say their focus is going to be on the local community and they are relishing the challenge of running the pub, which is a sympathetically refurbished Grade II listed coaching inn with elements from 16th to 18th centuries.
Bill, who worked for Michelin-starred chef Marco Pierre White at Harvey's restaurant in the 1980s, said he was passionate about running a good pub and "wants to make the George the best pub in the area".
"Food is going to be a big thing at the George," said Bill. "But we will be a pub and not a gastro-pub or a restaurant. We will offer good food in a relaxed pub atmosphere," he said.
At least three Hook Norton ales will feature in the front bar.
Charmaine said: "We are really looking forward to pub life and welcoming people to the George. It is our home, it is our business and it is a vital part of the community."
Darts and dominoes will feature and Aunt Sally will be played outside in the pub's large comfortable garden. And the couple plan to continue with the pub's tradition of holding music nights – probably once a month.
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.
Dogs are welcome.
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 there are the earthworks of a medieval castle.
Follow what is happening at the George on its FaceBook page - The George at Brailes.