George & Dragon Public House
George & Dragon Public House
The History of the George and Dragon is if nothing else convoluted. Records would suggest it was originally an ale or beerhouse situated in Old Catton in a yard close to The Woodman PH. The licence seems to have been acquired by Charles Cunnell a brick yard owner about 1875. In the next few years the premises in Old Catton were abandoned a replacement premises being built adjacent to his brickfields. The Ordnance Survey maps of the area surveyed during 1880 – 83 clearly show the public house now in School Lane Sprowston adjoining the brickfields and named The George and Dragon. As with many properties in the area it was built with the building set back only a short distance from the highway. In 1938 the 1870s building was replaced by an up to date modern building set well back from the road, the original building being demolished thus leaving the public house with a forecourt which was retained until this was closed. The opening of the new premises also coincided surrender of the Beerhouse licence and the transfer of a Spirits licence from a public house in Carleton Rode.
The rerouting of the Norwich ring road robbed the premises of its passing trade and in January 2000 came the final closure followed a few months later by demolition the site finally becoming a new housing development.
Taken about 1935 the 1870s? George & Dragon.
The 1938 new George & Dragon the original having been demolished to provide a plain in front of the new pub.
