The Blue Ball Inn, Grantchester, Cambridge

The Blue Ball Inn is the oldest pub in the village of Grantchester, dating from 1767, it celebrated its 250th birthday in 2017. Believed to have been named after the landing of a hot air balloon in a nearby field, it has had just 24 landlords since it first opened its doors, one less than the number of vicars the village church has had during the same period.
 
The cellars and foundations survive from the original building, which was destroyed by a fire in the late 19th century and subsequently rebuilt.
 
It was purchased from a large pub company in 2014 by its current owners and long term regulars, Toby and Angela Joseph, and is now a Free House.
 
Toby grew up just over the meadows in Cambridge, and has known The Blue Ball for more than 40 years, and after a long career working around the world in the travel industry purchased the pub to secure its future for generations to come-as an original, slightly quirky, always welcoming, well loved and rather unique pub.

Over the last few years the pub has undergone a sensitive and much needed renovation programme, adding additional bar space, a newly landscaped beer garden and even more importantly , you can now stay with us-we have a 2 bedroom self catering apartment on the Ist floor, over looking the meadows.2 Kingsized ensuite bed rooms, sitting room and kitchen/breakfast room, email us for rates and availability.

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The interior of the pub is one of only 3 in the region listed on the English Pub Interior Heritage List, and has been gently updated whilst retaining its charm and history. A log fire welcomes walkers and cyclists from across the meadows in the winter, there is no juke box or fruit machines to distract customers from their conversations and dogs are very welcome.

Traditional pub games include "Ring the Bull", and Shove Ha'penny, and the pub is the HQ of Grantchester Cricket - which was founded by a determined group of Blue Ball regulars.

Beautifully located overlooking Grantchester Meadows, it enjoys views across the river to the roof tops of the Cambridge colleges. 

 

Cambridge Rugby Club is a few hundred metres away and the river Cam runs along the bottom of the meadow at the front of the pub. 

 

There is a beer garden complete with a heated Pavilion, a terrace at the front of the pub to enjoy the views over the meadow and a huge front garden (also known as Grantchester Meadows!). 

It offers wonderful award winning ales from East Anglia's leading brewers, including Adnams, Woodfordes,Barshams and Cranes Cider. There is a great wine list from leading local wine merchant, Cambridge Wines, and all of our food is home cooked and locally sourced. 

(Please note , we don't take table reservations)