Shodfriars Hall

Shodfriars Hall, Boston

A grand timber-framed building originally constructed around 1400 as a guildhall, known as the 'Golden Hows' and described as the principal mansion of the guilds. The structure underwent significant restoration and extension by Sir George Gilbert Scott in 1873, and now houses shops, offices, and an entertainments hall.

The main South Street facade displays three storeys plus attics, constructed in timber framing with lath and plaster nogging. The ground floor features eight four-centred arches, with three forming shop No. 2 on the right and two forming shop No. 4 on the left; the two arches between these have studded doors providing access to offices above. Both shops have central doors flanked by glazing bar shop windows. The first floor shows arch-braced box framing with plaster panels decorated with Tudor roses. Each of the two main bays contains a group of one three-light and two four-light wooden traceried mullion windows, with above each bay a group of four three-light similar windows. Above these rise bargeboarded gables topped with diamond bracing and decorative framing, each containing a pair of three-light wooden mullion windows. Two tall red brick ridge stacks punctuate the roofline, which is finished with plain tiles.

The north facade facing Sibsey Lane contains a single timber-framed jettied bay to the west with four four-centred arches beneath glazing bar shop windows, above which is a pair of four-light wooden traceried mullion windows topped by four three-light similar windows. This bay terminates in a bargeboarded gable with diamond arch-braced framing and a pair of three-light wooden mullioned windows. The remainder of this facade was added in 1873 in the Gothic Revival style and is constructed in red brick. The western section features four bays with a single four-centred arch doorway and two small casements at ground level; above are three tall casements and a blind white brick panel each set within chamfered four-centred arches. Further east lie three very tall bays topped by cross-stepped gables; the westernmost contains a shop at ground floor, whilst the others display two casements, above which rise three very tall pointed arch cross casement windows each flanked by single lower four-centred arch white brick panels. An entrance bay with a single double-chamfered segmental arched doorway terminates the eastern end, with above four white brick panels set in chamfered four-centred arches.

The south facade facing Shodfriars Lane contains three bays of arch-braced jettied box framing to the west, incorporating six alternating wide and narrow four-centred arches with glazing bar shop windows and three plain arches beyond. Above these rise two two-light and one three-light traceried wooden mullioned windows, with above again three three-light similar windows. The eastern portion is brick of 1873, comprising three very tall bays topped by crow-stepped gables. The ground floor houses two small shops and features two doorways and two casement windows; above are three very tall pointed arch cross casement windows each flanked by single lower four-centred arch white brick panels. A final bay to the east contains a doorway and two casements at ground floor level, with above a central casement and a loft doorway with hoist contained within a four-centred double-chamfered arch, flanked by tall white brick panels in four-centred arches each containing a small casement.

The interior retains two king post roof trusses in the right range and a fine 17th-century fireplace with elaborate carving and a panelled overmantle. The rear wing was constructed in 1873 for the Boston Conservative Club.