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Old Bulls Head Inn, Newcastle Under Lyme Central, Newcastle under Lyme

6 Lad Lane
Newcastle under Lyme
ST5 1RE

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


Steve C left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

Dating back to the 14th century, the Bullls Head Inn is apparently the oldest pub in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and the aged musty interior gave me no reason to doubt this. This is a cash only Joule’s pub so their Pale Ale, Pure Blonde and Slumbering Monk were all available, the latter being a good drop. Old Rosie cider was also available and a fifth pump stood unused. The interior has low ceilings and an inglenook much like any self-respecting ‘oldie worldie’ pub. There’s a television that was emitting some background music, but not a lot else going on except some chatter from four or five locals who were drinking up because the doors close early evening during the week. There is normal closing on Fridays and Saturdays when karaoke and disco is hosted. The service was friendly, but I’m not sure I’d go out of my way to revisit.

On 24th August 2023 - rating: 7
[User has posted 5179 recommendations about 5148 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

Reputed to be the oldest inn in town (and it certainly looks the part), but now somewhat hidden away by the various post-war shopping area redevelopments. As noted by others, the attempt by Joule's to recreate a traditional interior doesn't really work as well as it should, but it still makes a big change from the other nearby pubs. Five of six handpumps in use when we visited, and with no guests available I went for the seasonal Royal (£1.65, half)

On 1st July 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


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Soup Dragon left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

A spot on review by the Captain (Bucking Fastard) below. It is a Joule's Pub, which had four of their beers on - the Slumbering Monk being decent. Joule's do a good and respectful refurbishment in general, but this one has a white rendered exterior that looks as over restored - rating high on the tweeometer - as its beamed, brick-ranged interior. Service was good and a few locals were in. It wasn't that I disliked it, and I would go back, it is just that I am miserable.

On 25th June 2018 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]


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Real Ale Ray left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

Three in a row, I am also not a great fan of Joules beers. I went for the Slumbering Monk which was in excellent shape, but only one half, was about my limit. We sat in the right hand room which had bench seating and an impressive looking fireplace along with a early example of a wood burning stove, with a large oak beam, which looked original supported by two red brick columns mantle. This is the oldest pub in NuL and dates from the 14th Century.

On 23rd June 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3378 recommendations about 3378 pubs]


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ROB Camra left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

By the time I visited this pub it was getting quite late on a Friday evening and Ms CAMRA had retired to the hotel. It was pretty busy in a raucous way with lots of people having had quite a bit to drink, including me. It's an attractive pub and may well be very old, but it looks like it's been "made" old fairly recently. Only Joules ales on the bar, so I just had a half of Pure Blonde which was in decent nick. I may have to call in here again next timer we're in town as I don't remember much of it to be honest. :-))

On 21st June 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 3216 recommendations about 3127 pubs]


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Steve of N21 left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

Compared to the modern craft bars and micro pubs that both preceded and proceeded our visit to this one you cannot get more traditional than the Old Bulls Head. The dark low hanging beams, the quarry tiled and wooden flooring, the period fireplace with large opulent mirror above and quant snug section of this reportedly oldest drinking establishment in NuL have all been well described below. Plenty of Joules brewing memorabilia about the place and some humour shown in the sign directing you towards the sun drenched beer garden only for you to find one of the smallest enclosed outside courtyard drinking areas to be found in any pub.
My half of Slumbering Monk was perfectly fine but I also am not a great fan of Joules beers so it was a bit disappointing to find no guest ales on for our visit. But despite that the Old Bulls Head is still a fine traditional pub in the middle of NuL.

On 19th June 2018 - rating: 7
[User has posted 2094 recommendations about 1985 pubs]


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Bucking Fastard left this review about Old Bulls Head Inn

Tucked away near the main shopping area,this old pub has been restored by Joules.The main tap room is to the left of the entrance with an extremely low beam at the corner of the L shaped bar requiring major ducking.To the right there is a charming snug corner,with a small range,traditional furniture and good wood panelling.The pub had a town centre boozer vibe but the presence of a baby in a buggy with family members milling around gave the impression that strangers are tolerated,if not celebrated.The 5 handpumps were drawing an Olde Rosie cider along with Joules Pale Ale,Pure Blonde,Slumbering Monk and Royal Ale (average) .I'm not a fan of Joules ales and it was a shame there was no guest.The pub is rather over restored,and I will probably leave it to the regulars next time I'm in town.

On 16th June 2018 - rating: 6
[User has posted 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


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Aqualung . left this review about The Old Bulls Head

This one wasn't a planned visit as it's not on the Joules list of pubs but I was fed up with staggering about in the rain. I'm glad I did include it as I thought this was probably the best Joules pub I've been to. As mentioned below it's a long single narrow room with a low ceiling and beams, a wooden floor and real fires.
The six hand pumps had the three permanent Joules beers, Pale, Blonde & Slumbering Monk as well as a seasonal Beer Tonic No. 37. The two guests were Six Bells Dark Angel and from Devon Hunter's Full Bore. I went for the Dark Angel (£3.30) which was superb. I would definitely return here especially as it's only yards from the Lymestone Vaults.

On 25th February 2016 - rating: 9
[User has posted 2143 recommendations about 2143 pubs]


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Al Bundy left this review about The Old Bulls Head

Nice old style pub. Serves a few Joules ales plus guest beers. 3 guests were on on my visit. Low beamed ceiling so handy for smashing your head on.

On 10th June 2015 - rating: 8
[User has posted 3487 recommendations about 3390 pubs]


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hondo . left this review about The Old Bulls Head

has been bought by Joule's Brewery

On 16th September 2014 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 2883 recommendations about 2820 pubs]

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