The George Hotel

Cranbrook feels truly rural, set in the Kent Weald eight minutes' drive from Sissinghurst Castle the former home of writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West. The George sits on the corner of Cranbrook’s medieval High Street and Stone Street, across the road from the 16th-century St Dunstan’s church. The Cinque Ports town of Tenterden is 20 minutes' drive away, Tunbridge Wells is a 35-minute drive away and central London is just under two hours by car or train.  

The George Inn boasts an exceptional history, with records dating back to the late 1400s. When Queen Elizabeth I visited Cranbrook in 1573, she met local townsmen in The George, pausing to retire in what remains the best bedroom in the house today.

This history can be traced throughout the property, most notably in the Tudor staircase, flanked by suits of armour, which leads from the pub and restaurant to the bedrooms; the towering square oak timbers in the restaurant; and 14th-century stonework in the cellars.

The ground floor of The George is given over to the bar and restaurant; the former with large windows overlooking the medieval main street and the latter tucked beneath timber beams at the back, warmed by a walk-in Tudor fireplace spanned by a vast oak beam.

Locals remain loyal to the pub, lending it a lively, welcoming atmosphere.

Staff are friendly, informal and efficient. The hotel reception is tucked away in a small, fire-warmed room leading off from the bar (a good spot for a quiet pre-dinner drink), where guests can learn about the pub's history and gather local information. In addition to the restaurant and bar there's a small, wisteria-shaded patio garden at the rear of the property overlooking the car park (also small).

The hotel features 12 rooms: eight in the older sections of the property, decorated in traditional style, and four in a new rear extension, featuring smart contemporary décor but lacking the charm of the older rooms. All bedrooms come with a generous tea tray, good beds, and modern bathrooms stocked with toiletries and bathrobes.

The Crimson Room is where Queen Elizabeth 1 'retired' during her visit and is suitably resplendent with an intricately carved four-poster bed, royal portraits and a spacious bathroom with roll-top bath.

The Heather Room, whose windows are delightfully overgrown by wisteria, has an exposed brick fireplace, vast bathroom with spa bath and, allegedly, a ghostly presence.

The superior double Mandarin is another winner with large windows, a king-sized sleigh bed, brick fireplace and timber beams. These older rooms are the most characterful but are all located above the bar and restaurant, which can be noisy, so bring earplugs.

The food is sophisticated pub grub with generous sharing platters for starters (the George pig board comes complete with sausages, sausage rolls, black pudding scotch egg, pork crackling, bacon jam, apple sauce and warm breads) followed by classics like rich beef short rib suet pudding and a delicately-flavoured crab, clam and chilli pappardelle.

Breakfast is an ample buffet of pastries and cereals with an impressive selection of cooked items, including full English and vegetarian breakfasts, eggs Florentine served on a bagel and grilled bacon on a brioche bun.

Double rooms from £85 in low season; and £130 in high. Breakfast included. Free Wi-Fi. It’s well worth spending extra for the older, more characterful rooms if possible (Mandarin from £95; Crimson and Heather from £105).

Not suitable.

Superior doubles in the old house and feature rooms are large enough to accommodate a cot and/or extra bed (available on request) and the restaurant has a dedicated children’s menu.