The two pictures above 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.

Two more photographs of the Red Hall when it was being used as the railway ticket office and station master's house.

The gateway to the Red Hall (above) that once stood in South Street was demolished by prisoners of war in 1918 to make way for the garage premises of Tuck Bros., motor engineers, while the old gatehouse (below left) once had pinnacles at each corner but these were removed about 1920 and the building is now a private house. The picture of the Red Hall below right shows the building as it was in 1969, protected by a fence that has since disappeared.

A GLIMPSE OF 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).