The George

A beautiful pub - lots of seating and natural light inside, as well as outdoor options. We didn't have drinks though the bar looked fantastic. Had the sticky toffee pudding and it was delicious!

Someone famous once said that when you're tired of Alton, you're tired of life. Less famous is the second part of the quote: when you're tired in Alton, go to the George.

You're guaranteed a cheery welcome at the George. Service is attentive and timely without being overbearing. The staff were knowledgeable about the beers, described them well and gave us generous samples to try before we bought.

The food was excellent. While we *only* chose from the burger options, they were excellent. The meat burger was well done and the accompanying salad items were fresh and both parts were not at all tired. The vegetarian rack equivalent was top quality and had variety, as if the staff had done their homework and knew what a vegetarian really wants.

We had onion rings on the side. We would go back for them alone, even if nothing else had been up to standard.

And did I mention the sticky toffee pudding? Served with generous sauce and quality ice cream, it was excellent.

We tried 3 different beers during our meal. All good.

We paid just shy of £40 two mains, one side, one pud, two pints, one half and a bottle of ale.

The George was our introduction to dining in Alton. They set a standard that will be hard to beat.

It's been years since I went drinking in Alton. I live miles away, but went to sixth form there: then my choice of pub was based entirely on where would serve us underage. This afternoon, it wasn't my choice at all, which was a good thing as, after so long away, I could barely remember how to drive to Alton, let alone what pub was nice.


Things have changed a lot since 2000, thank goodness. The scutty, spit and sawdust 'n' cheapo 70s carpets that passed for decoration in almost every Alton pub 10 years ago might hang on elsewhere, but The George has gone gastro. Not London gastro, thankfully, but nice painted walls, a lovely selection of chairs (something that, oddly, I focus on quite heavily in pubs) and an airy feel despite actually turning out to be a fairly middling-sized pub.


Driving, I stuck to diet Coke, but was impressed by the large selection of very fine whiskies behind the bar. The barman looked like someone who actually wanted to be behind the bar, as opposed to a number of barmen in Hampshire, who seem to have blinked during their teenage temp job and woken up 10 years later wondering why they're still working there.


There was beer (I don't focus on this at all) and people were drinking it from jugs as well as pint glasses, so I imagine this means there was a selection of ales and beers. There was food on offer too, a good mix of families, middle-aged well-heeleds, and relaxing couples snacking away at stuff that looked as though it contained ciabatta, but we stuck to our boring soft drinks and had a good natter instead.


Not the liveliest pub in the world despite being packed, but sometimes, particularly after Christmas, liveliness is something you'd rather escape from.

Enjoyed our visit here on a recent trip. Excellent food and well within your budget. Welcoming atmosphere and you will not be short of a courteous, friendly and warm greeting. Thanks a bunch!!

Went here for lunch recently and it was pretty good, nice food and good atmosphere; keep it up!