Historic Lincolnshire pub reopens after seven-year closure and £750,000 revamp

The head-to-toe revamp has carefully renovated the exterior of the Grade II listed building, which dates back to the late 1700s and is originally thought to have been a cottage. A lovely 130-seater walled courtyard garden has been developed and is decked out with new furniture, parasols and festoon lighting.

An extensive internal makeover has brought out all the character and cosy charm of the historic pub, restoring old timber and flagstone floors and installing a log burner. The smart décor incorporates all-new furniture, soft furnishings and carpets. Other improvements include a complete kitchen refit and an overhaul of the cellar that has added state-of-the-art dispense equipment to ensure consistently perfect pints.

To cater for all, The Horse & Jockey boasts a spacious bar, two comfortable lounge / dining areas that can be reserved for gatherings and one of the best games rooms in the vicinity. This is kitted out with a brand-new pool table, halo darts with electronic scoring and a high-spec AV system showing Sky and TNT sports.

On the food front, the varied all-day menu offers everything from pub classics – such as steak & ale pie and fish & chips – to burgers, pizzas and curries and has a dedicated section of kids’ favourites. The drinks range is equally extensive, spanning fresh coffee, prosecco and cask ales.

A myriad of activities are planned to reinstate The Horse & Jockey as a hub of Waddington and meet residents’ different needs. On the cards are quiz nights, regular entertainment and sports screenings, as well as darts and pool teams. The pub will also hold family fundays, fundraisers for local charities selected by regulars and special events at times like Easter, Halloween and Christmas.

New operator Tina Cretu has more than a decade’s experience in hospitality, including working in a Michelin-starred restaurant. Says Tina: “I fell in love with The Horse & Jockey as soon as I walked in, helped by the most wonderful flying display at RAF Waddington, which I saw as I arrived. I’ve been blown away by the amount of interest in the reopening. The Horse & Jockey looks fantastic, and the whole team is excited to be welcoming people in and showing them their new-look local. We’ll be going all out to make the first Christmas extra special.”

Adds Star Pubs’ area manager for Lincoln, Dan Littlewood: “We’re delighted to have invested in bringing such a beautiful old pub back to life again. Our aim has been to make The Horse & Jockey a focal point of local life that will thrive for the long term and a place the whole community can enjoy. We’ve given it the works. The transformation is amazing; there’s lots of reasons to visit and something for everyone.”