THE CARDINALS HAT, HIGH STREET LINCOLN
- Pub and restaurant | Design and Build
- Nov 11, 2015
- 2 min read
The current half-timber building was originally a tavern called The Cardinal’s Hat and dates to around 1514. In the time since it has seen many other uses; a fishmongers, a grocery store, a bank and even the HQ of St John’s Ambulance. The new owners chose to completely remove the modern interior of the building and bring the pub back to its former glory.
From the initial interior design planning stage the clear focus was restoring the historic features of the building and creating a cosy atmosphere through individual room sets and snugs. The character of the building needed to be emphasised by uncovering existing Tudor stonework, brick and original finishes before adding hand crafted timber flooring. The already eclectic interior lent itself to a sympathetic restoration using a combination of vintage furniture and fittings with a light touch of modernity only where required.
Design and Build Solution
The main bar features warm timber panelling including reclaimed doors and maintains a feeling of traditional quality with bespoke joinery and timber floor throughout. Quaint window seats feature delicate studwork and deep buttoning into the unusually low backs, designed to allow views onto Lincoln’s historic High Street. Selected pieces of reclaimed furniture lovingly restored by Yorkshire firm The Revivalist create a distinctly vintage interior style that is completed by original oil paintings and a selection of thoughtfully framed prints featuring original images of Lincoln. Industrial style light fittings bathe this scene with a warm light that is subtly contrasted by highlights of cut glass chandeliers, exposed pipe work and galvanised conduit.
The bar itself is an open affair with feature wall taps inset into a welcoming design that includes original stone walls and reclaimed features. Industrial style metal framework and a traditional timber counter are completed by inset drip trays and a fully functioning self-service vintage water tap to the bar front.
A quick explore reveals a cosy snug visible through a glass wall in the bar, the welcoming fire and warmly panelled walls invite the visitor to dwell a while on the vintage lounge furniture, especially the comfy wingback chairs. The slightly more adventurous customer should search for the ‘hidden room’, accessed through a bookcase.
On the first floor The Great Chamber has been restored to a condition the Tudors themselves would probably recognise. The exposed original beams, hardwood floor and original leaded windows provide a quintessentially English backdrop for a gentle mix of leather sofas, wooden furniture and vintage upholstery. The finishing touches to this fabulous room include the opportunity to entertain guests on an original upright pub piano.
On warmer days the hidden terrace garden is a whimsical sunny space enclosed by old redbrick walls and simple reclaimed timber cladding. Topiary planting surrounds heavy wrought iron furniture and highly practical fixed seating, all illuminated at night by the kind light of festoon bulbs.
Finally, The Cardinal’s Hat is a pub where even the toilets are an enjoyable heritage experience. Smart panelled cubicles sit on beautiful heritage tiling and bespoke metal pipework leads to proper Belfast style sink units.
It’s a fitting conclusion that this much loved pub that was once the St John’s Ambulance HQ has been brought back to life to serve the very best of British beer.
