Ball House, Boston

This week I am heading to Fishtoft and along the way, I call in at the Ball House, Wainfleet Road on the outskirts of Boston. Originally a smallholding, the Ball House is conveniently located along the busy A52 towards the coast. During the early 1800s, the property became a popular beerhouse. An old photograph shows the original pub was a farmer's cottage, demolished to accommodate the current building in 1953.

Loosely L-shape in plan, the Ball House followed the trend of many pubs built in the first half of the 20th century, emphasising reform and improvement to the image of the public house. Built-in a mock Tudor style (e.g., the timber framing to the gable end, prominent multi-shaft brick chimneys and tall narrow casement windows) the design is a deliberate attempt to evoke feelings of inns and taverns during earlier times (a motif, known as 'Brewer's Tudor').

Inside, the "olde worlde" theme continues with a large hearth in the dining area and decorative stud timbering along the walls and door surrounds evoking notions of old-style hospitality and comfort. A central bar serves the dining area and lounge opposite. A second, smaller fireplace is in the lounge with a mixture of chairs and fixed wall seating.

The pub is busy, serving a mix of traditional and contemporary dishes. I have a brief chat with licensee Andy Robinson, who has been running the pub since last November before heading to my next stop, the Red Cow, Fishtoft.