It’s a quality pub restaurant that’s great all year round. You’ll never experience the winter blues here – despite the shade of The White Horse’s exterior – which is just one of the reasons we had to revisit the place for February dining…

You’ll recognise Baston’s White Horse immediately, thanks to the building’s distinctive light blue colour, however you’ll be feeling anything but blue following a visit this month. 

There’s a cheerful, comfortable feeling to Baston’s White Horse, one that’ll leave you wishing it was your village local – which of course it is for the folk who live in Baston – but it’s also 

a destination pub restaurant. The White Horse attracts diners from a wide radius. Built in the 18th century, the pub restaurant was formerly known as the Spinning Wheel until it was purchased in 2012 by its current owner, Jo-Anne Richardson, of nearby Thetford Farm Estate.

After a comprehensive refurbishment, it has gained a clean, country pub aesthetic indoors, described by the team as giving the look and feel as ‘understated country classic,’ which we think is spot on. 

Last year marked 10 years with a garden party held al fresco. Happily the White Horse has an all year-round appeal though, with the winter months providing a warm and cosy log fire, local real ales and a hearty dining experience. 

Then, moving into spring/summer, two large patio areas – including a large beer garden – provide outdoor dining and bar with lots of space and a warm, welcoming feel.

Also set to make a return, is the stonebaked pizza oven which provides authentic pizzas from a dedicated menu. During our recent visit in mid-December, The White Horse’s main menu had been enhanced with a variety of small plates, and the ‘Festive Get-Together’ menu was in full swing. 

As Pride appears in shops though on the 10th January, a brand new menu is set to debut, providing a delightful selection of small plates, including pub sausage roll with apple sauce, black pudding croquettes among other delectable treats as well as a choice of four more conventional starters. 

The 12 main course options are comprised of four à la carte-style seasonal mains, plus four quality pub restaurant-style classic dishes, including fish ‘n’ chips and the White Horse burger. There’s also a choice of ‘lighter’ main courses lovingly prepared with big flavours.

Round off your meal with a choice of four desserts, the pub’s cheese board, or three scoops of homemade ice cream. 

Head Chef Adam Childs was born and raised in Grantham, trained in Stamford and has worked across the area, eventually moving to Peterborough in 2017 and settling at The White Horse in 2022. 

Adam heads up a kitchen which goes above and beyond for diners by creating his own speciality bread, his own delicious ice creams and fresh and fruity sorbets, plus of course, the usual puddings and sauces. 

Dishes are presented with style, portions are generous and there’s the odd feel-good flourish with each menu. Past examples of this include a sea bass served en papillote and a smoked brisket sandwich enhanced further with a gravy dip. Local ingredients are favoured where quality allows, with Bourne butcher Alec Day providing meat, and Peterborough Game helping to enhance Adam’s new winter menu with dishes utilising venison and pigeon breast.

Fish arrives daily courtesy of Marrfish and fruit and veg is sourced from Accent Fresh of Downham Market in Norfolk. 

Special mention, too, of the homemade cakes. These are freshly baked by the owner, Jo, herself. There’s a robust wine list created in conjunction with Oundle’s Amps which comprises over 30 bins. Even top flight wines like a Chante Cigale Châteauneuf-du-Pape or La Graveliere Sancerre are competitively priced, around the £50 mark. 

Meanwhile, if you’re a real ale aficionado you’ll appreciate a choice of three ales which, during our visit, comprised Oakham Ales’ JHB as a pale citrus choice, plus Doom as an amber option and Simple Pleasures, a nice light guest ale from Nene Valley. 

Thursdays sees a steak promotion with two 8oz rumps and a couple of glasses of wine for £35.75 and Friday diners can enjoy a fish ‘n’ chip supper for two for just £25. 

Look out, too, for two special menus for Valentine’s Day and Mothering Sunday, both likely to be strong on sharing dishes. 

Speaking of Sunday, we can recommend the pub’s robust Sunday lunch option with sirloin of beef, lamb or belly pork roasts and the usual trimmings, expertly cooked. 

We believe Shakespeare said something about a winter of discontent? No evidence of discontent here. The White Horse is welcoming, satisfying and its food looks good and tastes great. As a dining out option this month and into spring, we really can’t recommend it highly enough!

The White Horse, Baston, Bourne

Small Plates
Blue cheese stuffed mushrooms, £8.
Tempura prawns with chilli jam £8.
Brie bites with cranberry sauce £8.
Halloumi fries £8.
Homemade bread with balsamic & oil £5.

Main Courses
Fish and chips with curry sauce, mushy peas and tartare sauce, £17.
White Horse beef burger with Swiss cheese, red onion, mayo and rosemary fries £16.
8oz rump steak with garlic field mushroom, White Horse ketchup and triple cooked chips £22.
Mushroom burger stuffed with blue cheese, roasted garlic mayo, brioche bun and skinny chips, £15.
Tagliatelle with leeks and pancetta in a white wine sauce £15.

Desserts
Amaretti cheesecake with latté ice cream £8.
Cheese board with celery, grapes, crackers and chutney £8.
NB: This is a sample menu, and featured dishes are subject to availability and change.

The Pitch: 18th century country inn nestled between Bourne and Market Deeping providing really satisfying quality pub restaurant dining,
Opening Hours: Monday & Tuesday : open for private functions, Wednesday & Thursday : midday – 10.30pm, Friday & Saturday : midday – 11.30pm, Sunday:  midday – 10.30pm.
The White Horse, Church Street, Baston, PE6 9PE.
Call 01778 560923 or book online at thewhitehorsebaston.co.uk.