Another post without NBSS ratings, but this time with some pubs for you North Americans to lust over. Who knows, I may even be able to persuade Dick & Dave to visit (come on market day) and visit a real boozer.
Like the Britannia, Boston‘s gem (top and below). Actually, the Batemans sign had gone and it was looking a bit sad.
I’m not saying Boston is the only other worthwhile stop between Skegness and Dereham; you can make the case for Holbeach if you like.
The cobbled streets around St Botolph’s Church are surprisingly attractive, but attract hardly any tourists except feathered ones.
Two old boys were waiting impatiently for opening time at Goodbarns Yard, a surprise re-entry into the Guide, and Boston’s only central GBG entry. In fact, Boston boasts no Batemans pubs in the Beer Guide now, which tells you a lot.
Some of the best views in Lincolnshire are from the top of the Stump, and I’d decided that (possibly) the steepest climb in England was just what we needed after Lincolnshire sausage and Bury black pudding at breakfast.
The climb nearly killed Charles, and he’s fit for a Scotsman. To be fair, it nearly killed me a few years ago when I misjudged it completely.
Worth it for the view.
Back at ground level, I recovered with three flat whites in the average Spoons, while Charles perused the closing down bargains in Legends.
Having paid for 2 hours in the car park, we felt obliged to track down a few other gems, like the Masonic Hall,
and the windows at the New Inn,
and the department store.
But all this history is as nothing compared to the tiny Man Flower, the curiously named Chinese restaurant on Wide Bargate.
Do prices like this cheap exist anywhere else in England ?
retiredmartin 
Boston shows up in very few American guidebooks. I’ve often had it as a stop on the way north, but it has never made the final route. I’ve always thought it had some appeal; the lack of city center pubs has always limited the draw though. The location is also just too far east for the north\south route. Kind of sad because the town looks pretty and can likely use some tourist dollars.
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Can’t believe Chow Mein for £2.80 doesn’t tempt you 😉
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The question is, did you have the Chow Mein and, if so, how was it?
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Well,Dick, the fact I’m still here probably suggests I didn’t have the Chow Mein !
If I did I would have cleared any of those dishes with “animal” in them.
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Is King’s Lynn so bad it doesn’t fit on that route at all?
Once spent an interesting midweek evening in Boston. Not sure it’s worth the detour to repeat the experience though.
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I’m a republican, it’s Lynn. Have you ever tried getting into the centre of Lynn off the A47 !
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She objected strongly.
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Am genuinely mortified. Have you met Charles ?
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I haven’t been anywhere near Lochnagar in decades.
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I think your Pigeon is a Dove? And I think the top of Boston Stump may be the only panoramic view of Lincolnshire, certainly the southern half of the county.
Sadly your Chinese takeaway prices confirms my findings over the summer/late autumn (and many other visits); once you go east of the A1 towards the Wash and into East Anglia, apart from the honeypot tourist attractions/locations, the local economies are very fragile.
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You really are an animal expert Richard.
Yes, very fragile. Had pork knuckle lunch in Polish restaurant for £7 there that would have cost £15 in Lincoln.
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Mmmmm!
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You get a good view from the top of Tattershall Castle.
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Excellent point. Well worth a visit.
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Not been there.
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I thought Goodbarns Yard might actually be Goodyard’s Barn but, no, it looks too small and is not a Wetherspoons.
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I think Boston is a nice town,
I took the wife there in 1988 for a day out we did 18 pubs there,the New Inn pictured was an Home Ales tied house when we did it.
I went back in 2006 after going to Wainfleet on train and did a load more pubs there,though i noticed that the Polish had moved into the town in large numbers.
This did not go down too well with the locals and there was a large mainly unreported riot in the town a few years back between locals and the Polish.
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“Spot the windmill”
It almost looks like a bloody ferris wheel.
“Sultry School Mistress outfit half-price”
I must say, I am tempted. 🙂
“Masons”
I didn’t know Masons were into hieroglyphics.
“Man Flower”
I have to admit I like the fact they indicate the difference between Chop Suey and Chow Mein. I’m always forgetting which one has the bean sprouts.
Cheers
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Chow Mein is a complete dish; Chop Suey (normally) requires the addition of rice.
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That would explain the 20-40p difference once you add meat. 😉
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The New Inn gets my vote for best exterior– I could not possibly walk past that place without wanting to go in.
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