The George and Dragon ... Dragons Green
Map | Reviews
OS Map : Landranger 187 · Map reference TQ 139 235
Description
Small pub, usually decorated with flowers, in idyllic setting. Large, grassy garden to the rear. King and Barnes beers served from small flag-stoned bar. No dragons last time I was there! The pub can be very popular for food at weekends.
Unusually, there is a gravestone, of the albino son of a former innkeeper, in the front garden. The grave is in the church but the gravestone was not allowed because of the inscription.
Update August 2007: The pub is under new management.
How to get there
By car
The pub is situated just
off the A272, south of Horsham, about 3 miles from Southwater.
Cycling
Why not hire a bike from Southwater
Cycles and visit this pub?
From Southwater country park, cycle towards the main road through the village. Turn left and head south. Turn right into Shipley Road [before the A24 bypass] and cycle for 1.7 miles [2.7 km] until the A272. Turn right ["Billingshurst, Coolham" - busy road] and after 0.5 miles [0.8 km] take the second right. The pub is approx 0.25 miles [0.4 km] on the right.
Suggested cycling routes from here
Visit Shipley, just south of the pub, and see the restored windmill which used to be the home of the poet Hillaire Belloc. It was also the location for the TV series 'Jonathan Creek'
Also nearby is the Countryman Inn
Return home via the quiet roads between the A272 - Dragons Green - Christ's Hospital - Southwater/Horsham. Visit the Bax Castle on the way!
Your reviews
The gobster says: 
| 25-May-08
I only wish I posted this comment earlier. What a fantastic local pub. Full of character [that's Wazi]. We have been before with family but this time went with several friends, including a small baby. We couldn't fault the service and food quality [thanks again Chris!] and the staff catered well for a young family. We shall re-visit frequently.
Joanne says: | 15-May-08
Called in on this pub last weekend whilst on a cycle ride with my husband; it was a blistering hot day. What a great garden and great pub. A couple of negatives; they had run out of ice and there wasn't a great choice of snack food, we didn't want a main meal. Nevertheless, we shared a meal of scampi and chips. Big portions, good quality and good value, although we had to wait nearly 40 minutes for it, but it was busy. We will be visiting this pub again.
Mrs Jeffery says: | 4-May-08
My husband and I live in Christ's Hospital. We were out for a drive and stopped at this pub on the 26th April. Very friendly staff and a nice day. We had to wait for food but landlord kept us informed and it was worth the wait. It was so nice, we went back again on Sunday. It is now our regular pub at weekends.
Greg Brown says: | 9-March-08
Brilliant pub, full of character, good beer, fantastic value for money food and excellent, friendly customer service. We have taken several friends and family there to eat and they were all equally impressed. We travel 10 miles to get to the pub and are tempted to look for a house close by. A local of my dreams!
John Budden says: 
| 4-March-08
I left booking Mothers Day lunch almost too late and it was only through this website that I found the George and Dragon. I nearly didn't book because of an earlier review by Andy but am really pleased that I did. This is a gorgeous little pub oozing character. Andy is right in that it is cramped, but what do you expect from a 16th century building?!
The food was lovely. The portions are massive but the quality is also high for a pub, and without the high prices of a restaurant. The service was a bit slow and erratic but that added to the character and the enjoyment of our day. My mother felt really spoilt and thoroughly enjoyed her day. Thank you and well done the George and Dragon. We will return!
Peter Burdfield says: | 27-February-08
A fantastic pub. We were there on the 14th February. The food was excellent with a warm atmosphere, apart from a small group of diners who complained about everything.
Claire Mitchell says: | 27-February-08
Wow! We had our son's Christening party here on Sunday and it was wonderful. Anne and Peter made ourselves and our guests feel most welcome with drinks on arrival, gorgeous food and a huge log fire. We have had so many guests comment on what a wonderful time they had. We can highly recommend the pub for weekend food or a function. Thank you!
Amie says: | 20-February-08
The food was fantastic as usual. There were 20 very happy customers. Thank you! The happy and helpful staff made it.
Tom Simons says: | 17-February-08
On a visit from Scotland last weekend, I was absolutely bowled over by this beautiful pub - great food and great service. Shame we don't live nearer. I highly recommend the bacon roly poly.
Andy says: 
| 14-February-08
Extremely disappointed with the undercooked food. It was brought back to our table twice and was still undercooked, with the same vegetables which were completely dried up. Complete with a bad attitude from the owner and cramped conditions, we will certainly never go there again.
Adam Wylde says: | 9-December-07
Low ceilings and beams, log fire, and a friendly welcome. A proper pub with real locals, and proper pub grub - fantastic. Only wish we could have fitted a pudding in, but the portion size made it near impossible!
Elaine Williams says: | 6-November-07
Took in-laws and children on 4th November. Proper pub, great food, happy to do smaller portions for children and mother-in-law. Child-friendly but adult-friendly too [rare to find!]. Lovely atmosphere, fantastic, warm and helpful staff. Big garden with space for children to let off steam without annoying too many grown-ups. Need to book for Sunday lunch as dining area is not huge. Delighted to have found it!
Ann Cooper says: | 2-November-07
We went here on a beautiful autumn day. Bliss! Food was excellent, but the friendliness of the owner and staff even better. Highly recommended. Felt so welcome.
Jim Martin says: | 25 October-07
The new management have made this lovely country pub the place to eat superb food and have a wonderful selection of local and premium drinks. The very welcoming staff make for a friendly and relaxing evening out. We will certainly be returning.
Bobby says: | 8-October-07
Pub now under new management; Pete and Anne are the landlord and landlady, very pleasant and welcoming. Their son Chris runs the kitchen and produces good quality food at fantastic value, large portions and all homemade, the roasts are superb at £7.50. Wasi is a friendly local lad and has a good knack behind the bar. This pub is good fun again now, especially on a Friday evening where it gets very busy.
Phil K says: | 18-August-07
At last - a local pub where you will receive a warm and friendly welcome. The food is excellent, so is the service and the beer. This is definitely the best country pub in this area and is run by a very pleasant family.
Bubbles says: | 16-August-07
Now has fab new management. Very welcoming, good food, good price, family-orientated, good country pub.
Scott Hepburn says: | 12-August-07
Pub has just re-opened under new management. Food was excellent - plenty of it. Great menu for kids - marmite sandwiches and crisps! Good prices and a warm and friendly welcome.
Older reviews
K Colderwood says: 
| 21-May-07
Very disappointed. The Sunday lunch is no longer delicious. We couldn't even cut our beef with a knife, it was that tough and overcooked. The green beans were shriveled where they had been microwaved and roast tatties are now deep fat fried. To top the lot, they now charge for mains tap soda, which as far as I was aware is illegal!
Marcus Austin says: | 7-November-06
We went for a few Sunday lunches at the end of September and cursed ourselves that we hadn't tried this pub before. The food and service were excellent, lots of very obviously homemade food - the menu changed almost completely between our visits. Menu was a mixture of traditional Sunday roasts and English staples, the lamb shanks were great, and the steak pies were just right. Even our very picky children [aged 3 and 6] liked the food, which is a first.
The big garden is excellent for kids, although they could do with a few more things to play on, the plastic wendy house was well past its sell-by date.
Robbie W says: | 4-August-06
Fantastic location and the beer is well kept but utter chaos when ordering food. Huge delays on sunny days when the garden is busy - and lots of complaints. Has definitely deteriorated since our visit last summer.
June S says: | 7-July-06
Been going to this pub for many years. Food always good but now is really good, with real friendly staff.
Chris W S says: | 23-April-06
All you want in a pub. Good food and very nice landlady. Will go again, more than once.
Matt says: |
3-July-05
Me and my friends came across this pub and never wanted to go home! Food was well good and my friends loved every moment of it!!
JRM says: |
15-Mar-05
We've been trying local pubs for Sunday lunch and, to date, the George & Dragon has been by far the best value - quality food, served hot, good beer and wine, friendly welcome and on a tab! Bar snacks good too!
Pub score - No Good · - Excellent
