The George Inn And Borough Market

Vicki had read of the George Inn as the oldest pub in London, and it bills itself as London's oldest coach inn. Located at the London Bridge, the only bridge across the river until the 18th century, it had a strategic location for travelers and merchants entering London from the south. According to records, there has been a public house on this site, called The George, at least since 1542, which suggests that Shakespeare, who worked in the neighborhood, might well have popped in now and then for a cool one. (This is Britain; they don't do cold ones). The present building dates in part from the later 1600s (fires and such), and Dickens himself was a regular; and wrote about it in the very famous Little Dorrit. It had been days since my last fish and chips, and we figured this was as good a place as any and also to complement our visit to the Tate. It was Friday afternoon, the place was a madhouse, tables already reserved, but we found one, and tried to blend in as well as people with cameras can. After a satisfying meal and touristic experience we headed out but were immediately drawn into the Borough Market, more or less across the street. The market is formed under the confluence of two or three major roads and railroad lines, converging at the London Bridge station (Waterloo is not far). Most of the London markets we have seen have been bric-a-brac and such, little in the way of food, but the Borough Market was very much about food, if a bit on the upscale side.

That George, not the ones from Hanover

When you're this old you're entitled to have a history

Will definitely be on the quiz

Did you know the phrase "What the Dickens" actually
goes back at least to Shakespeare's The Merry Wives
of Windsor? And beyond that too? And that Little
Dorrit has seen five different movie versions, its casts
a veritable who's-who of British actors and actresses?

Neat place, neat experience; so-so fish and chips,

but the Golden George ale was great

A market has been on this site, where the bridge crosses the river,
since at least the 11th century, and certainly before, and has been
altered and added to many times, especially since the advent of
railroads; we might not have seen the entrance but for the tiny
1932 art deco structure above

19th century rent control

Aging 

Varieties of gluten-free, sugar-free, etc.

Goat milk ice cream anyone?

Another "must return" place