The Inn standing on the north east side of Fore Street, opposite the east end of Salthouse Street, was not always known as the Lord Nelson. Until sometime between 1790 and 1805 it was called the Noah’s Ark which was often abbreviated to Ark.

The earliest reference traced of the Noah’s Ark is 1672, during the reign of Charles 11, when the local Headboroughs ordered William Stephens to repair his pavement. The fact that the Noah’s Ark was an Inn rather than just a tavern or alehouse is confirmed by an entry in the borough records of 1696, wherein a payment to the Landlord is recorded for billeting a soldier or soldiers.

Many references to the Noah’s Ark can be traced throughout the 18^th Century, in treasurer’s accounts, Sessions records, parochial accounts of St. Clement's Parish and land tax valuations. In 1715 the landlord was again in trouble with the Headboroughs when he was accused of having ‘muck’ in the vicinity of his Inn. The usual fine was 3d. (slightly more than 1p. of today’s currency) and often 6d. for repeated offences. It is possible to trace many advertisements in the Ipswich Journal referring to this Inn. One in particular on the 26^th June 1790 is interesting as it included a list of Inns giving details where horses and carriages could be left by inhabitants voting in the election to take place in three days time. The Noah’s Ark was one of the Inns named.