The Pub History

Countisbury is thought to mean "camp on the headland" and comes from the impressive Iron Age fort on Wind Hill about half a mile west to the Blue Ball Inn. This is believed to have been the site of a battle where Odda's Saxon army defeated Danish invaders led by Hubba in 878.

The Blue Ball Inn, located in Countisbury on the old coaching route from Porlock to Lynmouth, This beautiful old Coaching Inn had been named the Blue Ball Inn from 1800 through to 1986 when the name was changed to the Blue Boar Inn and then changed again to the Exmoor Sandpiper Inn in 1987. The Inn is now being returned to its origins as the Blue Ball Inn. The Inn is located in an area of outstanding beauty, approximately one and a half miles from the twin villages of Lynton and Lynmouth and close to the famous Doone Valley, the Inn attracts visitors and hikers from all over the world.

We currently have conflicting meanings of the Blue Ball sign at the Inn. The first was that, traditionally, the old Coaching Inns would hang out a blue coloured ball as a sign to the coach drivers that the Inn offered fresh horses for the coach and a welcome break for the travellers with food, drink and accommodation.  The second meaning, which I personally like, was that the landlord would display the blue ball when the local fishermen were safely back on shore. The blue ball was used to signify a blue fishing ball float, and would be used as a welcome sign to the local fishermen.

If anyone can give us more information on the true meaning of the blue ball at Countisbury could you please contact us.

For a 360 degree panoramic view of the fireplace area please click here