Glastonbury’s George & Pilgrims hotel changes hands

By Laura Linham 27th Mar 2026

Local News by Laura Linham 27th Mar 2026

One of Glastonbury's most famous buildings has changed hands, with the George & Pilgrims Hotel now joining the Coaching Inn Group.

The landmark High Street hotel, described as the oldest purpose-built pub in the South West, has been taken over by the fast-growing hospitality operator as it adds another historic inn to its portfolio.

Coaching Inn Group said the 14-bedroom, Grade I listed property was a natural fit for the business, which specialises in character hotels and inns in market towns across the country.

Managing director Adam Charity said: "We are delighted to welcome the hotel's enthusiastic team to the Coaching Inn family."

That will matter in Glastonbury, where the George & Pilgrims is far more than just another hotel.

The 15th-century inn is one of the town's best-known buildings and has long been tied to Glastonbury Abbey and the town's medieval past. Built by Abbot John Selwood to house wealthy pilgrims visiting the abbey, it has welcomed travellers for more than 500 years.

Its stone-mullioned frontage, vertical buttresses and original oak beams make it one of the most striking historic buildings in the town centre.

Following the dissolution of the monasteries under Henry VIII in 1539, the inn passed into royal control. But it continued serving visitors and remained a key part of Glastonbury life.

Formerly known as the Pilgrims' Inn, it later became the George Hotel before taking the George & Pilgrims name it carries today.

Coaching Inn Group, founded by the Charity family in Boston in 1996, says its focus is on keeping historic inns at the heart of the communities they serve. The company also says its in-house training schemes are designed to help staff rise through the ranks, from front-of-house and kitchen roles to senior management.

For Glastonbury, the deal means one of its best-known heritage sites has now moved into new hands — but with its new owners making clear they see the inn's history, character and local role as central to its future.