George's Hotel

George's Hotel comprises two houses, now forming part of a hotel. Constructed between approximately 1743 and 1749, it was designed by John Wood the Elder. The building is of limestone ashlar with a pantile roof. It is part of a long, three-storey terrace (with attics and basement), arranged in a three:seven:three:three:three:seven:three bay layout, set back from its left-hand neighbour, and acting as a central feature. Each house within the terrace consists of three bays, originally featuring late 19th-century plate glass sash windows within moulded surrounds; the first-floor windows have cornice heads, and No. 3 has dropped sills. Doorways are located on the right-hand side, with altered eight-panel doors set within aedicular surrounds topped with pediments supported by console brackets. A platband runs along the first-floor level, and No. 3 retains remnants of a first-floor sill band. A modillion cornice tops the building. The parapet was originally ornamented with a stone balustrade, but now only solid sections survive. The roof is a Mansard style with two flat-topped dormers containing plain sash windows. The building has ashlar stacks, though all chimney pots are missing. Wrought iron front area railings replace the original stone balustrade; the basement area of No. 2 has been filled in with a modern extension. The ground floor interiors have been considerably altered, now serving as a hotel reception and bar. This terrace, originally called 'The Grand Parade' by Wood, was part of his uncompleted scheme for the Abbey Orchard between 1740 and 1748, representing a significant urban development built to a unified design. Wood’s intention was for the terrace to act as a civic meeting place and a backdrop for promenades, with work beginning in 1743, though plots were still being assigned in 1749.