The Woolpack, Louth

Former canal wharfside pub now in a gently gentrifying area. White painted and double fronted leading to an open plan interior with central servery. Little remains of what would have been the interior but the refurbishment is quite tasteful for a dining pub. Odd bits of panelling are fitted to some walls, other parts have bookcases. One wall has a locked mesh fronted cabinet of wines and spirits but I don’t know what their crime was. Seating is largely at leather upholstered booths one side of the servery and banquettes with tables and chairs at the other side. There’s more seating behind the servery, a small dining room and a large outdoor area. Decorated with the usual old photos of the area and some cartoons of long forgotten Victorian politicians, some of the punters voiced very Victorian views though. A Batemans house so four of the six pulls have their beers with Black Sheep Best and St Austell Tribute on the other two, two T-bars have a selection of mid market kegs. Cask quality well up to the mark for a GBG listed pub so it must have improved and possibly had another refurb since Quinno’s visit, Bateman’s reckon it’s their pub of the year 2025-26 and gave them a certificate to prove it.

Poorly modernised Batemans pub showing wear and tear already. Three teenage girls gossiping behind the bar, with mediocre half of XB forthcoming (NBSS 2). Had been busting for a dump all the way here and guess what, the light in the traps didn’t work so I had to drop ballast in the dark. The WiFi pw is 'greatguinness' which probably tells you something. Rubbish, no idea how this made the GBG cut.

A good traditional pub in the backstreets, near the old canal. The bar is a slightly bilious shade of blue but otherwise fairly unspoiled. The right hand side is the 'public bar' area, with darts and pool, with a dining area behind the other side and a garden at the rear. Beers from Batemans plus guests such as Adnams, and a cider. Food is fairly conventional but well cooked and in large portions.