The George And Dragon Public House

THE GEORGE AND DRAGON PUBLIC HOUSE, WINFORD

A formerly cross-passage house that has served as an inn since at least the early 17th century. The building began as a mid-16th century structure, with a rear wing added in the 17th century. It was refashioned again in the early 19th century, with further alterations in the late 19th century. The construction is random stone rubble with freestone dressings, stone and brick stacks, and a clay tile pitched roof.

The building has an L-shaped plan. The main range is a two-room structure with a through passage of single depth, with the lower end to the right (north). Floors were inserted in phases, and a large fireplace in a stone stack was inserted backing onto the through passage in the late 16th or early 17th century. The rear wing was added behind the high end of the house in the early 17th century. In the early 19th century, most of the roadside windows were replaced and a porch was added.

The east front is asymmetrical with eight windows across two storeys, with attics above the 16th century range. Early and late 19th century sash windows predominate. The through passage lies to the left of centre, partially obscured by a projecting entrance porch with a 20th century door. The rear (west) elevation has a cambered through passage opening, partially infilled by a later stairwell to the right, and retains a 17th century three-light ovolo mullioned window. The rear wing is one and a half storeys, with its south elevation showing scattered fenestration of various types and dates. The north elevation facing the courtyard retains three three-light ovolo mullioned windows with relieving arches above, though some have been infilled or removed. Towards the east end is an early 17th century chamfered four-centred arch-headed stone doorway. A 19th century open-ended store stands in the courtyard and a 20th century toilet block extension to the rear, neither of special architectural interest.

Interior features span all main phases of construction and refurbishment. The left-hand (south) room in the 16th century range, now the dining room, has chamfered cross-beams and a large fireplace with timber bressumer and a bread oven, partly rebuilt in brick with a 19th century iron door. A 16th century four-centred arch from the screens passage, now providing access behind the bar, originally linked through to the service end (north), now the public bar. The public bar retains chamfered cross-beams with run-out stops and a plank and batten door. The rear wing has a roof structure of pegged trusses with dove-tailed tie beams and threaded purlins, dating to the 17th century despite subsequent repairs. This wing contains three rooms and retains an early 19th century raised and fielded four-panel door to the ground floor and several 17th century door frames with cambered heads, though one appears to have been remodelled.

Formerly known as Felton's Inn, documentary sources confirm the George and Dragon has been a public house since at least 1625. The building was refurbished in the early 19th century when the east entrance front was rebuilt and many windows replaced. It continues in use as a public house today.

The building's special interest lies in its status as a good example of a late medieval cross-passage house used as an inn from the early 17th century, combined with its exceptional retention of features spanning all main phases of remodelling. The survival of evidence from the mid-16th century, 17th century, and early 19th century phases is most unusual. The 17th century rear wing and Georgian refashioning reflect interesting later developments related to its inn use, with the 17th century additions indicating a building of considerable status. It is a rare surviving example of a coaching inn on a principal route south out of Bristol.