The George was built in 1716 and traded as the George alehouse during the reign of King George III. The George was once an important coaching inn on the original road from Gloucester to Bath. Here horses rested before tackling the arduous climb up Frocester Hill. However, a new road through Frocester avoiding the steep hill had been built by 1784.
The name was changed to the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars in the early 1970’s but reverted back to the George in 1997. Before returning to its proper identity of the George it was known for a year or two as the Royal George – combining both the old names. It is now called the George Inn. The George Inn was named Country Life Country Pub of the Year in 2004 and 2005.
Now known as The Frocester, it is part of the Quality Inns portfolio of pubs and hotels.
Hereford Journal, Thursday 11th March 1784 – The new road through Frocester and Petty France to Bath: Christopher Coleman, at the George Inn, Frocester, ever grateful for the many and repeated favours which he has received from the nobility, gentry and public, with singular satisfaction, acquints them that Frocester Hill, which heretofore occasioned inconveniences and delay to travellers on account of its steepness, is now by a new and judicious cut, which avoids the village of Nympsfield, rendered quite easy and pleasant.
Being determined to exert every means in his power to render the accommodation of his house perfectly agreement, Christopher Coleman humbly hopes for future encouragement of the public, and begs to assure them, that, upon all occasions, he will most gratefully acknowledge their favours.
Gloucester Journal, Monday 1st September 1800 – W. Deane respectfully informs the nobility, gentry, and public in general, that he has fitted up the George Inn, Frocester, with entirely new furniture, beds, and every convenience to accommodate families in the most comfortable manner. His stock of wines and liquours are, and shall be, the very best quality.
Stroud Journal, Saturday 13th February 1875 – Amateur Concert: An amateur concert was given at the George Hotel, Frocester, when the room was well filled with an appreciative audience, including many of the clergy and gentry of the neighbourhood, together with their families. All the pieces were creditably sustained throughout, Miss Burford’s ” Robin is shy,” and Mr J. W. Astles in ” Hurrah for the Sea,” meeting with well deserved encores, as also did Mr W. H. Blake in his comic songs. We must not forget to mention the duet, ” Gathering Flowers,” which was sweetly and effectively rendered by Mrs Haslam and Miss Burford, while all the other performers were warmly applauded. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion by Mr and Mrs Burford. Great praise is due to the Rev. C. E. and Mrs Haslam, who were untiring in their exertions for the success of the concert. The Misses Hayward and Mr Blake accompanied, and everything passed off with eclat.
Stroud News and Gloucestershire Advertiser, Friday 22nd April 1898 -Death of Mr William Pick of Frocester: Doubtless many of our readers will learn with regret the demise of Mr Wm. Pick, the popular and jovial landlord of the George Hotel, Frocester. Mr Pick had not been in good health for some little time past, yet was able to go about his customary business. About a week ago, however, he was obliged to take to his bed, the complaint from which he had suffered having become intensified. Every medical care was observed, but dropsy and heart trouble obtained the mastery, and the deceased succumbed about nine o’clock yesterday evening at his residence. Mr Pick was in his 59th year, and had held the license of the George Hotel, Frocester, for thirty years, and in which capacity he was generally esteemed.
He took an interest in the affairs of the parish, though he held no official position, and his advice was sought for by many. Previous to going to Frocester he lived at Frampton-on-Severn. He leaves a widow, two sons, and four daughters to mourn the loss of a good husband and affectionate father. All were present when the death took place.
Gloucester Journal, Saturday 17th June 1950 – From dance to fire: People attending a dance at the George Inn, Frocester, helped to fight a fire which occurred in a Dutch barn at Frocester Manor.
Daily Mirror, Monday 29th January 1968 – Battle over plan to make a pub join the Hussars (by Ned Grant): The idea for a new pub name came from the Duke of Beaufort. Now it has started a village storm. The 67-year-old Duke, whose home is at Badminton, Glos, suggested naming one of the county’s pubs after an old Territorial Army regiment, the Royal Gloucestershire Hussars. He mentioned it to a brewer friend, Colonel William Whitbread.
As a result, it ws decided to change the name of the George Inn, an old coaching house at Frocester, Glos – and include a regimental museum in a £12,000 “face-lift” scheme.
Most of Frocester’s 206 people are furious. The parish council has collected names on a petition calling on the brewers to drop the plan. “The village was never consulted,” said council chairman Frederick Clifford.
In 1974 Whitbread published a book entitled ‘Inn and around. 250 favourite Whitbread pubs.’
The pub sign in 1986 (Chris Heaven)
The other side of the pub sign 1986 (Chris Heaven)
Map Reference: SO 785031
Licensing Details:
Rateable Value in 1891: £20.0s.0d.
Owner in 1891: J.A. Graham-Clarke (free from brewery tie)
Type of licence in 1891: Alehouse
Rateable Value in 1903: £30.0s.0d.
Owner in 1903: Trustees of J.A. Graham Clark (free from brewery tie)
Type of licence in 1903: Alehouse
Closing time in 1903: 10pm
Landlords of the George Inn include:
1784 Christopher Coleman
1800 W. Deane
1830 William Orchard (Frocester Inn)
1856 Mrs Sarah Trueman
1868-1898 William Pick
1927 William Pick (son?)
1939 Douglas Chetham Pim
1978 David Morris
1997 Rod Pearce (Royal George)
1998 Alasdair MacLeod, Carol Beswick and Alan Gilmore (George Inn)
2006 Jane Pain
2008 Mike and Libby Reynolds (The George at Frocester)