Episode 4
The age of the stagecoach changes the face of British pubs. History seen through the story of London's famous George Inn. Read by Tony Robinson. From December 2012. Episode 4 of 5.
Tony Robinson reads Pete Brown's history of pubs as seen through the story of one remarkable London inn, the George in Southwark, said to be the one-time local of Chaucer, Dickens and Shakespeare.
The George Inn is one of the few remaining galleried coaching inns, and lies a few minutes' walk from the Thames. 'Shakespeare's Local' takes us on a literary pub crawl through the history of this pub, from its regulars - the watermen, merchants, actors, craftsmen, writers and coachdrivers - as well as the many incarnations of the pub itself - from lawless Southwark tavern to coaching inn, theatre pub to Victorian drinking den, unfashionable boozer to tourist attraction.
Today: while the age of the stagecoach changes the face of British pubs, the George faces its darkest hour.
Reader: Tony Robinson is best known for his role as Baldrick in the Blackadder series. He's also presented Channel 4's 'Time Team' and written numerous books for children.
Author: Pete Brown , the 'Beer drinkers' Bill Bryson' (TLS), was named Beer Writer of the Year by the British Guild of Beer Writers, and is the author of three other books on pubs and brewing.
Producer: Justine Willett.
Last on
Broadcasts
- Thu 20 Dec 2012 09:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 FM
- Fri 21 Dec 2012 00:30Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4
- Thu 7 Dec 2017 14:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
- Fri 8 Dec 2017 02:45Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 Extra
Opening Lines
Sample our books and authors Clip Collection
Interviews, previews and reviews
Subscribe to the Short stories podcast
Featuring the best stories from the UK's finest writers
How many of these 100 Novels have you read?
Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Arts: Books
Celebrating reading and the 100 novels that have shaped our world.