The Red Hall prior to 1893 when the name Bourn was changed to Bourne.

Two photographs of the Red Hall taken before 1894 when the footbridge over the line was erected.

The Red Hall photographed circa 1895 with a wealth of advertising signs along the front fence including one for Wyles Bourne Ales.

THE RED HALL IN 1900

The Elizabethan mansion, better known as the Old Red Hall, at Bourne, which is now utilised as a railway station, has been spared to see yet another Guy Fawkes' Day. But for the repeated and strenuous efforts of the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings, and the inhabitants of Bourne and district, it would have been pulled down to make room for improved railway facilities long since. It was formerly the residence of the well-known Digby family, and here, according to local tradition, the Gunpowder Plot was hatched, and Sir Everard Digby, its then owner, was tried and executed for his share in the conspiracy. [This has since been proved to be untrue.]
When the last extensively-signed memorial was sent to the directors of the railway, the memorialists urged that if the building were allowed to remain untouched it would serve a useful purpose to the railway companies, and still exercise its quiet influence as an antidote to the restless spirit of its surroundings.
Close to the hall stands a venerable yew tree which has stood the storms of three centuries, and this, together with the fine oak staircase inside the hall, are objects of peculiar interest. The building has formed the subject of many Academy pictures, and is still admired, measured, and sketched, by architectural students. Bourne railway station is said to be the only station in England that can boast of antiquity.
- reproduced from the Country Life magazine, 10th November 1900

The Red Hall pictured early in the 20th century when it was being used as the railway booking office. This photograph is taken from a postcard sent to Mr Weber Walker of Henery Street, Wisbech, on 16th March 1906, from his friend Tony at No 4 Clarence Cottages, Austerby, Bourne. "This", he wrote, "is where the Gunpowder Plot was first hatched. About 500 years old, very fine staircase." - and so his knowledge of both history and the house was incorrect and had probably been gathered from local folklore. The footbridge to the station which can be seen on the left was erected in November 1894 and until then, passengers had to cross the railway line to reach the platform. The photograph below is a black and white postcard view taken about the same time.

Three photographs of the Red Hall taken circa 1905 by William Redshaw who often used staff and passers-by to inhabit his pictures and give life to the subject. The building was then being used as the railway booking office, showing the main line platform and the tracks running past and the footbridge over the line.

A remarkable picture postcard of the Red Hall from 1904 showing the building as a stark and isolated mansion in a windswept landscape under a stormy sky.

A watercolour gouache painting from circa 1905 and by L Browning who was described as "a consummate artist and a widely travelled mountain professional person". The picture measuring 12 inches x 9½ inches is in private hands, having been offered for sale on eBay for £274 in June 2012.

These two pictures are among the most unusual photographs of the Red Hall, taken when it was covered with ivy. Both were published as picture postcards by William Pearce, stationer and bookseller, of North Street, Bourne, who took over his father's business when he died in 1905 and both date from that period, the second colour card being postally used in that year. The view of the hall is from the side of the house and so we cannot see the footbridge that led to the railway station platforms.

The Red Hall has been the subject of innumerable postcards, many of the views being taken by local photographers such as William Redshaw, and this one was issued in the early 20th century and postally used in 1906 when the building was still being used as the railway booking office.

THE RED HALL IN 1909

The Red Hall in the pre-railway era would rank as one of those stately homes of which England was justly proud. Even now, in its prosaic business surroundings, it retains much of its external attractiveness. Its many gables, its graceful solidity, its barred and leaded panes, and its distinctive main entrance arrest the attention of the visitor. It is one of those delightful English homes of ancient peace that appear to "grow out of the soil, and not to dominate the district" like the French chateau. Formerly, it was surrounded by a deep moat (traces of which are still perceptible), and partly by a morass. The hall stood in its park, some of the magnificent trees of which are still standing. Two fine gateways on the old avenue roads leading to the main entrance now stand isolated, one (with the armorial bearings sculptured over the arch) faces the ancient Cavalry House (Mr  Dainty's residence) while the other fronts Mr C E Andrew's house, in the Austerby.
The imperious present has hustled out the leisurely past. The hospitable gates rust on their heavy hinges. The drives are now grass grown. Where the coach rattled gaily now nibbles the necessary sheep. Where were my lady's terraces, the locomotive runs. But traces of the avenues may be seen. Old inhabitants are loud in their praises of Madam Digby's beautiful garden. An ornamental lake spanned by a picturesque bridge, and surrounded by beautiful trees, occupied the site now covered by the railway platform. The variety of timber in the park, as well as its artistic arrangement, was remarkable. The fine yew tree near the main entrance is much admired.
The interior of the Hall (now converted into two residences), has necessarily undergone many alterations. The magnificent oaken staircase, in four flights, and wide enough for the proverbial coach and pair, is unique. The balustrades are ornamental, and the ends of the sturdy beams are carved out in solid oak. The upper rooms are lofty, and command a fine view of the surrounding country. The stone mullions, and small leaded panes, preserve an air of antiquity. Running the length of the eastern side is a gable-room, which is traditionally known as the ball-room. Another gable-room with an arched roof, contains an altar, and is known as the chapel. Thus the imaginative visitor may readily conjure up mental pictures of the pleasure and piety of a former day.
Romance touches realism when we discover in the wall of the chamber adjoining the chapel a secret entrance. The wall space is sufficiently commodious. A ray of light creeps in from an ivy-covered opening above. It is said that refugees (such as Fathers Garnet or Gerard, the Jesuits) might find pretty secure accommodation in the false roof, or make their exit in time of danger by a way that opened into a cupboard, concealed in one of the walls of a basement room.

- from Historic Bourne by Joseph J Davies (1909)

The Red Hall in 1914 photographed for a picture postcard.

A steam locomotive leaving the station for Spalding in 1958 with the Red Hall on the right (above) and another view of the station platform and pedestrian crossing bridge to the Red Hall  from circa 1950 (below).

A postcard view of the Red Hall in 1950.

A postcard view from circa 1960 (above) when the future of the building was uncertain and a similar shot taken the following year (below).

The Red Hall during the winter of 1975 photographed from Whatton's timber yard with the old railway station site on the left. By 2009, these buildings had been demolished and the area was being redeveloped for new housing.

THE RED HALL IN 1994

Our first sight of Bourne was the attractive Red Hall, a recently restored 17th century mansion, made, of course, out of red brick. At one time it was used as the railway station house. The path passed a large pond overhung by a series of willows, before going under an old mill. The pond was probably artificial created to act as a mill race, and may date from the 12th century Augustinian priory in which Robert Manning created the basis of the modern English language.

- from a walking article by Paul Gosling published by The Independent on 7th April 1994