History

This is sketchy when going back more than 2 centuries but there are pictures on display in both the dining room and snug bar showing how life was at the early part of the 20th century - these are courtesy of a local photographer and historian.

This lovely village pub was built around 1652 and consists of 2 parts - the dining room and kitchen being extensions built around 1850.

There are many tales the locals will tell you, and memories of how the bar areas have changed, and how beer was served straight from a jug from the barrel when the bar was where the fireplace now exists.  There have been separate darts bars, snug bars and local bars - downstairs living quarters and alternative cellars over the years but we like to think the pub has olde worlde charm while still meeting today's customers expectations of a village inn.

There was a water hole in George Lane which runs along the back of the pub and right by Brook house and the children used to swig from it during their play - it was just a spout coming straight out of the ground and the hop pickers relied on it during the hop picking season when they came down from London for their working holiday.  Indeed, The George Lane 'spout' must have served quite a number of dwellings as this area was conspicuous by the lack of wells unlike the rest of the village cottages.

On the corner of the pub their was a water hole for all to use and all the passing traction engines stopped to fill up - the hole was about a foot deep and has now been channelled under the road and runs underneath Trout Beck cottage opposite - trout can still be seen in the stream as it surfaces again further down the lane behind Trout Beck.  The Post Horses used to stop and drink at the water hole during the time  The George was a coaching inn and  hay was stored above what is now the back bar  -  the hooks are still to be seen on the ceiling.  It is not known whether the the lane was named after the pub or vice versa - or did the pub take its name from King George I, though he did not come to the throne until 1714 - perhaps it was from St. George!!!!    Imagine a stage coach pulling up on the cobbled area at the front of the pub and passengers alighting with their hampers and portmanteau being lowered onto the ground while the steaming horses were led over the then pebbled road to take water from the gushing stream.....

For many years a chap named Peck Hayes lived above the barn of the pub and was nicknamed the local Charlie Chaplin as he sported a moustache, walked like him and wore similar clothing even wielding a cane walking stick!! - he was called 'Peck' from the way he tilted his head on one side and it looked as if he was pecking! - he used to help at The Forge just up the hill where the new houses are now, and boil pieces of mutton in an old tin can over the fire - cut it up with a penknife and eat it with a 3 pronged fork...

I hope this has given a little insight to our pub and you have enjoyed our tale

Jenny & Geoff

Come along and see us!   Tel: 01622 861314
The George Inn, Leeds, Nr Maidstone Kent ME17 1RN.