NEW

A LA CARTE MENU

From Tuesday 26^th July 2011

One of Hertford's finest bar and dining experiences'. The historic Grade II listed building The Bluecoat is situated on Fore Street in the heart of Hertford oppesite Marks & Spencers. 

Our luxurious restaurant area seats 60 diners, The menu from Head Chef Scott Sandle offers Scott's individual, modern take on strong, substantial English inspired dishes with a Mediterranean influence using quality and locally sourced ingredients.  To compliment your meal there is a selection of fine wines, beverages and digestif. All this whilst you sit back and enjoy the ambience, and on live music evenings courtesy of our beautiful 1930s grand piano.  

Pop in for lunch, a glass of champagne or a cocktail in our lounge area - or come for the full dining experience in our luxurious surroundings to live Music on weekend evenings every week. 

 Best Regards

Jonathan Levene - General Manager

  History of The Bluecoat 

  The Bluecoat uniform changed little since it was first worn by pupils when the school was founded back in 1552.

 The coat was ankle-length, close fitting in the sleeve and down to the waist, and pleated and full in the skirt. It was made of a very heavy and close-woven woollen cloth which kept out all but the most torrential rain. A row of silver buttons fastened the front of the coat, each bearing the image of King Edward VI in relief. The upper part was lined with a bright yellow frieze.

The coat was worn with woollen breeches, with three silver buttons at each knee. Below that were the eyecatching yellow stockings, of stout wool. Originally the shoes had shiny  buckles but were later replaced with ordinary lace-up shoes. Under the coat was a collarless shirt. The neckbands were on a strip of linen and had to be positioned to fall neatly down the front of the coat, over the top button. These antique Tudor garments constituted our all-seasons, all-weather wear. There was one particular hazard for new boys in connection with the coat. Walking slowly in the heavy ankle-length coat tended to an elegant and upright movement. If the boys were to walk fast, however, there was a tendency for the folds of the skirt to be collected between the knees and the novices often tripped over.The solution was to acquire the knack of swinging each knee slightly outward as it comes forward, to ‘knee’ the coat a little to one side.

One curious feature in those days was a school rule that the uniform should always be worn in the holidays. There was no way of enforcing this, with boys scattered throughout the Kingdom, yet on balance it was usually convenient and advantageous to wear the bluecoat and yellow stockings even when at home. It was distinctive and dignified, allowing one to look smart in any surroundings.

Taken from an extract by Frank Ledwith