Secret Drinker reviews the Burghley Arms Inn in Bourne

One thing you quickly notice about drinking in Bourne is that they ain’t half proud of celebrating their local boys done good.

The town’s Wetherspoons is named in honour of hometown racing driver and entrepreneur Thomas Raymond Mays while across the road Smith’s has switched to a boozer but kept the name in honour of the family-run grocery business that operated from the site for a century and a half.

Even the sadly-now-defunct Jubilee Garage set aside part of the pub in tribute to the town’s Formula One team British Racing Motors and their 1962 constructors’ title.

So it was little surprise when I arrived at the Burghley Arms Inn one Saturday afternoon that there was a blue plaque honouring another intriguing chap who played a little role in the town’s history.

This pub was the place where honorary local, Frederic Manning, an Australian author and poet, penned his First World War novel The Middle Parts Of Fortune, I read.

It turned out he’d stayed here in 1929 back when the Arms was known as the Bull Hotel and, in honour of his second home, the hero of his novel was named Bourne.

Intrigued to know if stepping inside would see some skilled writing rub off on me (clearly not) if I entered this grand looking building.

My first impression was how close to the entrance the bar is.

Judging by the facade I was expecting a large open room and a lengthy trek to get served. Instead you almost stumble straight into a brightly-lit bar, home to an array of brightly-coloured bottles and an immaculately-turned out lady serving the drinks and chatting to the lads on the barstools, both of whom greeted us with those ‘had one more than I should for this time of day but who cares’ grins.

To each side were seating areas. We grabbed our drinks and turned right where a disco machine sat dormant with its covers on.

In case you needed proof that there is more than one way to consume your media, around me father and daughter supped while scrolling through their phones, an old boy read his paper and a bloke sat at a table by himself was tapping away at his laptop (presumably suffering with blue plaque envy and penning a novel).

Football and horse racing was on the big screens but the nosie came from the other end of the pub where a couple of groups were having a thoroughly good afternoon.

As also seems to be a theme with Bourne boozers, the Burghley Arms is deceptively bigger than you think.

To the rear is a sizeable pool and darts room, leading to a smaller seating area with yet another big screen and a further darts board.

Outside the beer garden is also a decent size with plenty of tables to sit at.

But at this time of year, sensibly and thankfully, nobody was taking up that option.

The Burghley Arms is a good looking pub that still managed to maintain a local feel and enjoyable atmosphere even during a quieter time of day.

As we were finishing up the guy with the laptop began getting the disco ready for the night ahead.

I’d enjoyed the calm and as a little gutted I couldn’t stay for the storm.

THE BURGHLEY ARMS INN, NORTH STREET, BOURNE, PE10 9EA

DECOR: It’s a nice looking pub, traditional on the outside with a modern feel inside. The bar is brightly let and there’s plenty of outdoor seating and a nice space for bar room sports. 3/5

DRINK: I went for a pint of Moretti (ABV 4.6%). 3/5

PRICE: The pint, plus a Coke and a lime soda set me back a very reasonable £7.60. 4/5

ATMOSPHERE: The place was nice and busy and lively for a Saturday afternoon. 4/5

STAFF: The lady serving me was comfortably the best dressed person I’ve seen on the opposite side of the bar since I began this column. She was also very smiley and helpful, enjoying holding court with the regulars. 4/5

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