The George & Dragon (Kendal)

The George & Dragon has had a difficult run during the last few years, with a succession of landlords who have failed to turn this once thriving town centre pub into a successful business. It was clear that the combined night club and pub formula that had been used in recent years was not working. What it needed was a “back to basics” approach, and at the start of 2018, new managers River White and Dubs Earley took on the reins of this Craft Union Brewery owned pub.

They immediately introduced some changes. Gone was the nightclub music late into the night and the hordes of revellers smoking on the street outside. A refurbishment inside resulted in a fresh, clean look. Now visitors to the George & Dragon can expect to find a quiet, yet friendly, traditional style pub where you can enjoy a pint of real ale, listen to live folk music, watch a major football match, or play a game of pool.

Food & Drink

The George & Dragon does not serve food, but there are menus for a local café for you to browse on the tables should you need inspiration for a place to eat. The inn has two real ales on handpump and a wide selection of draught and bottled beers from various breweries around the world. There is a good choice of gins, a reasonable wine list that includes prosecco, and a varied selection of spirits and whiskies. Barista style coffee is served here, with one coffee free with every pint in the mornings, ideal for those who prefer not to drink alcohol before lunch.

Other Features

• The George & Dragon has two large flat screen televisions and a subscription to Sky Sports, allowing it show all of the major sporting events.
• The inn has a pool table that was refurbished as part of the management takeover. The table is free to use every Tuesday evening. The inn also has a darts board.
• There is a small courtyard beer garden to the rear of the pub.
• The pub hosts regular events, including live folk music nights. On Wednesday evenings, the pub has a bingo night, costing £1 per person to enter and there are cash prizes to be won.

History

The George & Dragon is located in one of oldest parts of Kendal town centre. It is situated directly in front of a Unitarian Chapel that was built in 1720 and it’s thought that the inn predates the chapel as building on the chapel grounds was unlikely to have received permission.

However, the first recorded landlord was Joshua Craven Jnr, who ran the inn during the mid 1700s. Records dating from the late 19th century and early 20th century show that the inn once had stabling for up to 20 horses, as well as rooms to rent.

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