The George Public House, Maulden

The George is located on George Street, Maulden and stands in the Maulden Conservation Area. The George was an important staging post for people travelling from London, via Luton, to Bedford. The building is mainly 16th-19th century with some recent additions. English Heritage gave the pub Grade II listing in 1991 and listed the property as:

“Public House. Probably C16, with cl7, C19 and C20 additions and alterations. Close studded timber frame with wattle and daub infill faced in brick, C19, and with brick additions, the C19 brickwork is in flemish bond and painted. C17 wing clad in brick in english bond. Plain tile roofs. Corniced brick stacks. 2 storeys and attic. 2 bays, with C19 single storey bay slightly set back on left, tower gabled, C17, wing to rear left, and single storey, gabled C20 wings to rear right and extreme rear left, further C20 rear additions. Plinth windows are wooden casements, each light with a horizontal glazing bar. Double sided brick steps up to central board door in segmental- arched reveal flanked by canted bay windows, all under bracketed. Pent tile canopy. 1st floor jettied slightly with two 3-light windows flanking the pub sign. Central ridge stack. Added bay on right has two-light segmental-arched window, dentilled eaves, and tall stack at right side. Rear: Left bay has exposed wall-post on right and two-light 1st floor window. Two small 1st floor windows to wing. Right return; bracketed window. Two below tile pentice. Exposed timber framing above mid-rail comprising posts and struts, with collared raking and queen strut truss. Interior: 3-bay timber frame, with well moulded timbers. On ground floor 2 right bays formed a single cell having ceiling quartered by large scantling triple ovolo-moulded beams, the mid rail at right end similarly moulded. Left bay has chamfered spine beam, rear wing has double ovolo and fillet moulded spine beam, the moulding run out at one end. On the first floor are visible parts of the timber frame which are jowelled wall-posts, intermediate posts and rails, and wall plate. 2 left bays originally formed one cell, having chamfered spine beam and stepped cyma stops at left end and moulded pendant at right end. probably C17 winder stair up to attic, which has close studded partition walls between bays and end walls (cambered collar at right end), large scantling clasped purlins, old pegged halved rafters, and arched wind braces.”

In 1887 Charlotte Kirkby held a sale with Swaffield and Son of household furniture, stock in trade including beer engine, contents of bar, cart and horse under a distress for rent [ref: SF39/94].

The pub closed but was redeveloped and has now reopened.

List of Licensees: note that this is not a complete list; italics indicate licensees whose beginning and/or end dates are not known: