History of The George Hotel

The George Hotel is situated in the heart of Oxfordshire, just eight miles southeast of Oxford and just one hour from both Heathrow and Birmingham airports. We are located in a traditional English village set on the picturesque high street, full of thatched cottages overlooked by the 12th Century Dorchester Abbey. The George Hotel is directly opposite the Abbey and we provide a perfect location for visits to many English cities and tourist attractions. Oxfordshire and Southeast England can provide a wealth of places to explore.

Dating from the 15th Century, the George is one of the oldest inns in the country. In the days of the Stagecoach, it provided a welcome haven for many an aristocrat including the first Duchess of Marlborough, Sarah Churchill. However more recent times have seen famous guests of a different hue such as author DH Lawrence. The buildings of The George Hotel have changed little since their heyday as a coaching inn. The George hotel retains all the beauty and charm of those days, whilst offering every modern amenity.

Dorchester Abbey.

The Abbey Church of St Peter and St Paul, more usually known as Dorchester Abbey, is the parish church of Dorchester-on-Thames , a small Oxfordshire village with just over 1000 inhabitants, located 8 miles south-east of Oxford (map). It has a lively and active congregation, with 141 persons on the electoral roll. The Rector is the Revd Sue Booys, who is also the Team Rector for six adjoining parishes within the Diocese of Oxford.

The congregation at Dorchester Abbey seeks 'to be an inclusive, lively and welcoming community sharing God's love with all'.

We aim to achieve this by: Celebrating the presence of God through worship, music and art
Strengthening church and community life in the village
Welcoming and caring for all those who visit the Abbey
Sharing time, talents and money with those less fortunate at home and abroad
Seeking spiritual growth, learning and personal development for all
Caring for the Abbey as a holy place

Dorchester Abbey serves not only as the spiritual centre of the village, with many different parish activities, but also as pro-Cathedral and place of pilgrimage. It is a popular tourist destination, educational resource and, as the largest public building in South Oxfordshire, a much-sought after venue for concerts and other major events.

Whether you come as pilgrim or visitor, we look forward to welcoming you to the Abbey and to the last remaining monastic building, the Guest House, home of the famous Tea Room and the Museum.