Building record MLI92810 - Fydell House, Boston

Summary

Former house largely dating from 1726, with minor 19th century alterations, and with surrounding wall, railings and urns.

Type and Period (5)

Protected Status/Designation

Full Description

Former house largely dating from 1726, with minor 19th century alterations, and with surrounding wall, railings and urns. The building was in use as an adult education centre at the time of listing. The architect is thought to have possibly been William Sands of Spalding. The building has a double-pile plan, and is constructed of red brick laid in Flemish bond, and with ashlar dressings, and features a plain, tiled, hipped roof, with brick valley chimney stacks. It is of two storeys plus attics and cellar, and has a stone capped plinth, 1st floor platt band, plain frieze with full entablature, and a balustraded parapet with four panelled piers. The six-bay front is arranged 2:2:2 and divided by full height Doric pilasters. Attached to the front are stone coped and ramped brick walls to the forecourt, these being lower to the front, with stone base and coping, and with a tall, panelled stone pier at each end surmounted by a ball finial. The wall supports a set of fine wrought-iron railings, with central double gates with decorative overthrow. In the forecourt are a pair of 18th century moulded stone bases supporting stone urns. Attached to the kitchen block is a long garden wall with 2 gateways. The house was owned by the Jackson family and was rebuilt in 1726, as shown by a dated brick by the front door and the inscribed downpipes. At about that time it came into the ownership of Joseph Fydell, who was Mayor of Boston at that time. It stayed in the ownership of the Fydell family during the 18th and 19th centuries, with several more Fydells being elected as MPs for Boston. It was acquired in 1935, by the then newly founded Boston Preservation Trust. For the full description and the legal address of this listed building please refer to the appropriate entry in the National Heritage List for England. {1}{2} Pevsner described Fydell House as 'undoubtedly the grandest house in town'. {3} The original house here is thought to have been built soon after the turn of the 18th century, for the Jackson family, before being acquired by Joseph Fydell in 1726. Fydell is thought to have extensively rebuilt or remodelled the building, and also added stables and other outbuildings to the rear. {4}{5} Fydell House underwent extensive restoration between 2025 and 2026, with many works including the renewal of the roof completed. The building re-opened in July 2026, and is now in use as an Arts, Community and Cultural Events venue. {6}

Sources/Archives (6)

  •  Index: Department of the Environment. 1975. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest. 716-1/10/166.
  •  Website: Historic England (formerly English Heritage). 2011->. The National Heritage List for England. http://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/. 1388995.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Nikolaus Pevsner and John Harris, with Nicholas Antram. 1989. Buildings of England: Lincolnshire (Second Edition). p.168.
  •  Website: 1998->. Boston Preservation Trust Heritage Trail The Warehouse - Boston Preservation Trust. https://bostonpreservationtrust.org.uk/heritage-trail/. No.1.
  •  Bibliographic Reference: Historic England. 2015. Boston, Lincolnshire: Historic North Sea Port and Market Town. pp.23-5.
  •  Website: Google. 2001->. Google Earth, Maps and Street View. Accessed 13/10/2026.

Map

Location

Grid reference Centred TF 32849 43874 (28m by 23m) (2 map features)
Civil Parish BOSTON, BOSTON, LINCOLNSHIRE

Related Monuments/Buildings (0)

Related Events/Activities (0)

External Links (0)

Record last edited

Oct 15 2026 8:06AM

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