There are a few pubs in Cambridge that lean hard into their history, but Fort St George is in a league of its own. It sits on Midsummer Common, right by the River Cam, and claims the title of the oldest pub on the river. The building itself dates from the 16th century, it is Grade II listed, and it was originally built on an island in the middle of the water. It only joined the mainland in the 1830s when the river was rerouted, which is a nice bit of trivia to drop while you are waiting for your pint.
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Inside, the place does not hide its age. There are oak beams and old panelling throughout, and the main bar gives you a view straight out over the river. The layout is part of the character: there is a serpentine, single-file queue that winds its way to the bar, which is not the fastest way to get a drink but it is one of the things people remember about the place. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited in 2012, and a commemorative picture has hung above their table ever since.
The food is traditional pub fare, and the kitchen works through a fair amount of it. The beer-battered fish and chips come with triple-cooked potatoes, and there is a steak and ale pie, steak and chips, and a leek pie for those after something hearty. For something lighter, there is Japanese-style karaage chicken, crispy squid, cod goujons, and a chicken and bacon burger. There are vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options across the menu, and the place frames its cooking around a "fresh food first" approach with a nod to quality and sustainability. A Sunday roast is also on the menu, which is the obvious choice if you are planning a weekend lunch.
On the beer front, the pub pours its own labels alongside the regulars. You will find Flint Eye, Prior Life, and Greene King IPA, plus the usual suspects like Greene King Abbot Ale at 5% ABV, Greene King IPA at 3.4%, Timothy Taylor Landlord at 4.3%, and Hardys & Hansons Bitter at 3.9%. It is a Greene King pub, so the taps lean that way, but there is enough variety to keep a real-ale fan happy.
Practically, it is an easy place to bring a group or a family. There is free Wi-Fi, disabled access, and a beer garden that looks out over the Cam, which is the real draw on a warm day. It is family-friendly and dog-friendly, with dogs welcome in designated indoor and outdoor areas as long as they stay on a lead. If you are planning something bigger, there are reserved tables and function rooms for events, and gift cards if you would rather give someone a meal here than buy them a present.
Location helps, too. It sits near a good cluster of museums and attractions, and the Cambridge Botanic Garden is not far off, so it slots easily into a day out in the city. On a Thursday, it opens at 12:00 and stays open until 23:00, with food served until 20:30, so there is plenty of time to settle in. The general hours are 12:00 to 23:00 Monday to Saturday and 12:00 to 22:30 on Sundays, with food service running until 20:00 on the weekend.
