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Picture source: Darkstar

The Tudor Tavern was situated at 27 George Street. This pub closed in 2006 and is now used as Thai restaurant.

Grade II* Listed early 15th century range of buildings. One of St Albans oldest buildings Thai Square is on George Street that was known in the 15th century as Church (Chirche or Churche) Street. The earlier part on Verulam Road was built around 1400. It may have been built by the Abbey, but in 1446 it formed part of the property of the Priory of St Mary of Sopwell, one of the Abbey's local cells and was then known as The Swan. The medieval inn known as The Swan was renamed the King’s Head probably after the Restoration in 1660. From around 1790 the Kings Head became houses with shops, described by 1818 as “used for a variety of functions; cash stores, tallow chandler and candle factory, oilman”. A picture of 1937 shows part of the building occupied by antique dealer Frederick Mayle who business apparently started here in 1906. It was also used as a photographic studio and by Stanleys Surgical Supplies. In 1963 it was taken into council ownership who decided that its use as licensed premises would allow people a chance to see the interior of the building. Sold off into private hands in 2006 the Tudor Tavern became a Thai restaurant. Part of Tudor Tavern/Thai Square is in part of the former George Hotel that closed in 1932/3.

Steve Turner (January 2021)

Listed building details:

Early C15 timber framed range of buildings fronting on George Street with slightly older range fronting on Verulam Road. The George Street front has wavy roofline to very high pitched, tiled roof; and even wavier massive, moulded beam supporting overhanging 1st floor which is close studded below half rail and has more open studding above. Plaster filling. 4 large, 2- and 3-light casement windows (one modern, the others leaded C17) are interspersed with 5 much smaller, 2-light casement windows above an upper rail; and, 3rd from left, an original C15 wood-framed window with 2 cusped, pointed, leaded lights. Ground floor renewed with continuous, small-paned glazing and imitation plaster-filled studding below. The Verulam Road front has, on the left, the gable end of the George Street range, plastered and blank except for one tiny attic window, flush framed with glazing bars. The right hand section, which is a 1st floor hall of circa 1400 has a 16-light and a 13-light, leaded casement window on 1st floor. Ground floor has partly-glazed modern door between reproduction shop windows with glazing bars. Inside, little early work is visible on ground floor, but the very large, crown-post open roof truss is preserved on 1st floor.

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Name	Dates	Comments
Brian Clutterham	1963/1964	I used to have a Spanish sherry at the tavern with my girlfriend Rosemary Maule in the early sixties. She lived in Seymour Terrace. What great times they were.