Have you ever imagined a pub so steeped in history it whispers tales of kings and ferries? Welcome to Fort St George. Right here on Midsummer Common this Grade II listed building stands proudly. Parts date back to the 16th century. Some say it resembles the East India Company’s Fort St George in Madras India. Its unusual name reflects this connection. This isn’t just any pub. Fort St George is one of Cambridge’s oldest. It’s a living testament to the city’s rich past.
The Fort St George wasn’t always the bustling riverside pub it is today. In the 1960s it was dilapidated. The public bar barely had any customers. The present tenants Alan and Helen Winfield-Chislett transformed it. They cleverly used publicity and gave customers what they wanted. They built up a thriving business. The large garden is perfect for a summer drink. The pub’s interior is full of history. The food is very good value. Crucially they maintained the handpumps. Alan famously resisted pressure to switch to top-pressure beer. He kept the Fort full a promise he kept.
Further improvements followed years of campaigning. The landlord convinced Greene King to invest in renovations. The kitchens were updated. A wider range of food became available. The toilets were completely rebuilt. A small non-smoking lounge bar was created. During this work beautifully carved wooden panels were discovered. These panels feature crossed oars suggesting a link to a rowing club.
The pub’s strong connection to the River Cam is undeniable. Glasses hang from hooks on oars suspended from the ceiling. The walls are covered with pictures of the river. There are photos of the nearby footbridge being built. Other photos show the old ferry in operation and a historic sailing boat. The Fort St George played a pivotal role in Cambridge’s history. It even saw the traditional games of ‘ringing the bull’ being played.
Remember that ferry that once crossed the river? Imagine the scene in the 1920s. The Fort St George ferry was very busy. It ran from 8 am to 10 pm. The fare was a mere halfpenny each way. A bridge eventually replaced it in 1927.
Today Fort St George continues its legacy. It’s a place for great food good beer and a wonderful atmosphere. It’s a living piece of Cambridge history a pub that’s seen it all. Visit Fort St George. Experience a piece of Cambridge’s enduring spirit.