The George and Dragon is a Grade II listed public house on King Street in Leigh, a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Wigan, Greater Manchester, England. Built in the mid-17th century, it was later altered in the 19th and 20th centuries, although the nature of those works was not recorded. The pub underwent a major refurbishment in March 2012, and its freehold is owned by Amber Taverns as of April 2026[update].
| George and Dragon | |
|---|---|
 The pub in 2011 | |
  Location within Greater Manchester | |
General information | |
| Type | Public house |
| Location | King Street, Leigh, Greater Manchester, England |
| Coordinates | 53°29′46″N 2°31′08″W / 53.4961°N 2.5190°W |
| Year built | Mid-17th century |
| Renovated | 19th and 20th century (altered) 2012 (refurbished) |
| Owner | Amber Taverns |
| Design and construction | |
| Designations | |
Listed Building – Grade II | |
Official name | The George and Dragon |
| Designated | 18 October 1991 |
| Reference no. | 1261842 |
| Website | |
| Official website | |
History
editThe building was constructed in the mid-17th century, according to its official listing,[1] and later saw changes in the 19th and 20th centuries,[2] although the nature of those works was not recorded. Some of the ceiling beams now visible in the bar area are modern, which may reflect part of those alterations.[1]
The 1893 and 1939 Ordnance Survey maps mark the building with no designation or attributed name,[3][4] while the 1907 edition records it as an inn.[5]
On 18 October 1991, the George and Dragon was designated a Grade II listed building.[1]
In March 2012, the pub underwent a major refurbishment that lasted around eight weeks.[6]
As of April 2026[update], the pub's freehold is owned by Amber Taverns.[7]
Architecture
editThe building is painted brick with a slate roof and two storeys. Its front has two gables and two first‑floor windows, and the structure extends back with a short wing on the left side.[8] The main entrance sits slightly right of centre in a framed wooden surround, with wide four‑pane windows on either side.[1] The upper front wall has decorative boarding, and the windows here are three‑part casements with a horizontal bar.[1] The gables have shaped bargeboards with small finials. A brick chimney rises from the middle of the roof, and a small lantern stands on the right‑hand ridge.[8]
At the rear, the left gable retains part of an old brick moulding.[8] On the left side, the gabled wing is lit by an early three‑light window beneath a brick moulding, with traces of another moulding at ground level to the right.[1] Both side walls show an uneven joint near the King Street elevation, suggesting the front was rebuilt at some point.[1]
Inside, some of the ceiling beams visible in the bar area appear to be modern.[8] Other parts of the interior are thought to contain a substantial amount of 17th‑century material that is now hidden from view.[8]
See also
edit
References
edit- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Historic England. "The George and Dragon (Grade II) (1261842)". National Heritage List for England. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "The George & Dragon Public House". Wigan Buildings. Archived from the original on 16 March 2026. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CII.7". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1893. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CII.7". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1939. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "OS 25 inch England and Wales, 1841–1952 | Lancashire CII.7". National Library of Scotland. Ordnance Survey. 1907. Archived from the original on 28 May 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "New look for Leigh's oldest pub". Leigh Journal. 1 March 2012. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- ↑ "George & Dragon, Leigh". Campaign for Real Ale. Archived from the original on 18 October 2025. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "The George and Dragon". British Listed Buildings. Retrieved 16 June 2026.
