History of The George
(Bucklersbury, Hitchin)

The George pub in Bucklersbury, Hitchin, occupies one of the town’s oldest buildings and has a rich, colorful past...

From “Le Falcon” to “The Beehive"
to "The George"

Originally constructed around 1450 as a wealthy merchant’s house⁽¹⁾, the timber-framed structure still retains features of its medieval origin. In fact, it is a two-storied Tudor-era building (possibly even earlier) with an upper story that overhangs the street and a large archway leading into an inner courtyard⁽²⁾. This distinctive archway once welcomed horse-drawn coaches and patrons into the inn’s yard, hinting at the building’s long history as a stopover and gathering place.

The building first became a public house in 1676, when it opened under the name “Le Faulcon” (The Falcon Inn)⁽³⁾. This early inn would have been contemporary with Hitchin’s coaching heyday, serving travelers and locals alike. (Interestingly, records from the 1600s refer to a “George Inn” in Hitchin, suggesting an inn on this site or nearby even earlier.)⁽⁴⁾ At some later point (by the eighteenth or early nineteenth century), the pub changed hands and identity, becoming known as “The Beehive.” It thrived under that name for several decades – a directory from 1851 even lists Mrs. Sarah Parker as the landlady of The Beehive. The Beehive was a lively establishment, but also gained a bit of notoriety by the 1860s.

In 1869, the then-landlord Charles Hide was stripped of his license after a series of incidents. A local police constable told the magistrates that Hide “kept a bad house…allowing bad girls and men to assemble using disgusting language,” essentially accusing The Beehive of rowdy and disreputable behavior. Following this scandal, a new tenant, Joseph Moulden, took over in December 1869 – only to be formally cautioned in 1870 for excessive noise when some army recruits broke into song at the pub. These colorful episodes illustrate that The George’s building has seen its share of rambunctious nights and local drama over the centuries.

Rebranded as “The George” in 1870

Amid these changes, 1870 marked a turning point. The pub was rebranded as “The George” and the license was transferred to the Bucklersbury premises from a former George inn on the High Street (historically known as Cock Street). According to local lore, it was even named in honor of George Washington (perhaps due to the widespread fame of the first U.S. President). With the new name came fresh life. From 1870 onward, The George in Bucklersbury became a beloved fixture of Hitchin’s town center. The pub prospered under various owners and brewery companies (it was at one time a Benskin’s Brewery house, as evidenced by old pub signs), and it continued to draw in patrons for well over a century.

By the late 1970s, for example, locals recall that The George’s courtyard would be packed with young people enjoying a night out. Each generation of Hitchin residents seems to have its own fond memories of good times at The George, reflecting the pub’s enduring role in the social life of the town.

Ghostly Encounters and Local Legends

Like many centuries-old inns, The George has accumulated ghost stories and legends over time. In fact, some have dubbed it Hitchin’s most haunted pub. Both staff and guests have reported eerie happenings on the premises. Heavy footsteps are often heard echoing in the night when no one is around, and on occasion glasses have flown off shelves as if tossed by an unseen hand. A number of past landlords – and even animals – have been notably uneasy about the cellar, sometimes flat-out refusing to go down there. One former landlady (the aunt of a local historian) even claimed she once saw a mysterious figure sitting in a chair in the pub – only for the apparition to vanish, revealing no actual person was there.

These tales have made The George a highlight on Hitchin’s ghost walks and paranormal investigations. The pub’s current landlord has shared truly hair-raising accounts of “things that go bump in the night” with visiting investigators. In the old vaulted cellar, one can view what appear to be bricked-up tunnels – local legend says secret tunnels run from The George to St. Mary’s Church and to Hitchin Priory, used in centuries past for discreet passage between key sites. During one ghost tour in The George’s cellar, participants even claimed to sense a ghostly presence lurking in the underground gloom. Whether one is a skeptic or a believer, such stories undeniably add to The George’s charm and mystique.

A Living Piece of Hitchin History

Today, The George proudly wears its history on its sleeve. From its medieval timber beams and courtyard coaching arch to the tales of Falcons, Beehives, and ghostly Cavaliers, the pub offers a direct link to Hitchin’s past. It stands not only as one of Hitchin’s oldest buildings but as a living repository of local lore – a pub where you can sip a pint beneath centuries-old rafters, imagining the countless characters (both mortal and perhaps immortal) who have passed through its doors. In short, The George’s story – full of age-old hospitality, a few scandals, and a dash of the supernatural – is inseparable from the history of Hitchin itself, making it a true landmark of the town’s heritage.

Sources: Historical details summarized from local history publications and archives, including Hitchin historians’ research on the pub, the Victoria County History description of the building, and documented anecdotes in local blogs and media. Ghost lore has been drawn from community recollections and investigations reported by Hitchin TV and others. The George’s enduring legacy continues to be celebrated as part of Hitchin’s story.

Timeline

Based on historical records, census data, and trade directories, here is the timeline of landlords and licensees for The George Pub (historically The Falcon and The Beehive) at 33 Bucklersbury, Hitchin.

Establishment & Early History^[¹^][²^][³^][⁴^][⁵^][⁶^]

1676: The building (originally a merchant's house built c. 1450) opened as a public house known as "Le Faulcon" or "The Falcon Inn."[5]
Late 17th–Early 19th Century: At some point during this period, the name changed to "The Beehive."[5]

Landlords Timeline

1851: Mrs. Sarah Parker (Listed as publican of The Beehive in the 1851 Census).[5]
1860s – 1869: Charles Hide (Tenant of The Beehive).[5]
- Note: He lost his license in 1869 due to complaints about "allowing fighting and bad behaviour" and keeping a "bad house."[5]
Dec 1869 – 1870+: Joseph Moulden.[5]
- Note: He took over in December 1869.[5] Under his tenancy, the pub was renamed The George in 1870 (allegedly after George Washington, though more likely George III or IV given the era's common naming conventions, or simply to distance it from its reputation as The Beehive).[5]
1870 – 1900: [Gap in specific records]
1901 – 1920s: George Lines.
- 1901 Census: George Lines is listed as the Publican living at 33 Bucklersbury with his wife Helen Elizabeth.
- 1911 Census: George Lines is still listed as the Publican.
- 1920: A Hatfield Brewery Estate document lists the tenant of "The George Inn public house" as Mr. Lines.
Mid-20th Century (1930s–1960s): [Specific names are currently unavailable in digital archives]
- Note: The pub remained active during this period.[2] Local directories (e.g., Kelly's 1937) list the pub, but the specific landlord's name for this era is not widely digitised.
Late 1970s: Unnamed Landlady (Aunt of a local historian/author).
- Note: Described in local history blogs as running the pub "for a while" during the late 70s.
2013 – Present: Lee Taggart & Adam D'Silva (Silvatag Pubs Ltd).
- Lee Taggart took over the directorship and operation around 2013. The pub is currently trading as a popular independent venue known for its "Bogarts" lounge and courtyard.

Summary of Key Name Changes

1676 – c. 1800s: The Falcon Inn (or Le Faulcon)[5]
c. 1800s – 1869: The Beehive[5]
1870 – Present: The George (or The George Inn)[5][7]

Sources

History of The George(Bucklersbury, Hitchin)