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The Bull, Beaumaris
Beaumaris
LL58 8AP
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 7 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Delboy 20 left this review about The Bull
Imposing pub / hotel which is rightly listed and features in Camra's inventory of historic pub interiors. A good choice of beers including Bass, Hancocks HB, Jaipur and Conwy Beachcomber Blonde. The 2 I tried were in good nick. Well worth a visit.
On 12th August 2019
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 1661 recommendations about 1561 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bull
Imposing old posting inn, formerly known as Ye Olde Bull's Head, still operating as an upmarket hotel. Very traditional public bar (with welcome real fire) and a compact side room. Smart, modern restaurant with another bar beyond. Bass and Hancock's XB available from two of three pulls on an old upright beer engine somewhat hidden behind the main bar; with Black Sheep, Big Bog Hinkypunk and Dark Side of the Moose from Purple Moose (£3.80) being dispensed from the three handpumps on the other counter.
On 20th January 2018
- rating: 7
[User has posted 8117 recommendations about 8117 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Will Larter left this review about Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn
The bar of this hotel is much as described by John below. I would only add that I was struck by the collection of jugs hanging from the beams, and the way the way that breastplates and swords compete for wall space with, of all things, a sombrero.
The real ales are served from a stand-alone unit of three beer engines which has been placed against a rear facing wall, making it hard to see what the beers on offer might be. (See photograph.) At the time of our visit these proved to be Hancocks HB, Bass and Fun Fair Big Wheel. In adventurous mood we plumped for the latter, from a brewery I hadn't previously encountered. It turned out to be a lemon-flavoured lagerish concoction, with no discernible malt flavour and just a sweet undertone to the lemon to suggest that it was a beer rather than a lemonade. We struggled to drink it but eventually gave up, and ordered a Hancocks to cleanse our palates. Despite this experience, we'd be happy to call in again if we find ourselves in Beaumaris.
Date of visit: 1st September 2015
On 14th September 2015
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3751 recommendations about 3486 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
John Bonser left this review about Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn
On the main street in Beaumaris is Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn, an imposing large hotel which proudly tells us that its “Welsh Pub of the Year 2012 – Good Pub Guide”. In the hotel lobby, we learn that the building dates back to 1472 and that it was rebuilt in 1617. We’re also told that the building was the original posting house of the Borough. A former staging post on the route to Ireland, the inn was taken under the control of General Mytton, one of Cromwell’s henchmen, whose forces attacked the Royalist held Beaumaris Castle during the English Civil War in 1645. The now familiar circular Famous Grouse plaque tells us that Charles Dickens stayed here in 1859. It’s now an AA 5 star hotel.
The central focus of the inn appears to be The Brasserie – a light and airy contemporary style room in the converted former stables towards the rear of the building. There’s also a Loft Restaurant in the former hayloft in a similar modern style.
Outside, at the back of the pub, through a courtyard, is what is reputed to be the largest single hinged door in Britain – an impressive large and sturdy arched oak door measuring 11ft by 13ft and now guarding the original coaching inn entrance.
Of principal interest to the imbiber is The Bar, which sells itself as offering a “comprehensive selection of beverages, the highlight of which is undoubtedly the selection of cask conditioned ales”. This is a fine unspoilt traditional room at the front of the hotel featuring dark oak ceiling beams, deep Scottish tartan patterned carpets and walls decorated with a fine collection of antique cutlasses, pistols etc. Comfortable, padded spindle backed chairs, fixed upholstered seating by the bay windows and traditional tables contribute to an attractive welcoming interior, albeit one that has something of the general feel and atmosphere of a hotel bar. It’s quite a contrast with the rather more modern areas of the hotel behind.
A short passageway at the side of a fireplace leads through to a small snug bar behind. Interestingly, an old photo by the fireplace shows that this passageway was formerly just a nook, but it’s now been opened up to provide access to what, apparently, was once a separate premises unconnected to the hotel. The pub is listed in CAMRA’s National Inventory of Historic Pub Interiors.
Pleasingly, food in the bar is limited to snacks which meant that, on my recent Sunday lunchtime visit, it was free from the usual lunchtime family food trade, who are directed, instead, towards The Brasserie at the rear of the building.
A small L shaped bar counter in one corner of the room features a drop down screen and 3 handpumps, not immediately visible, positioned in the angle of the L. Beers on were Hancocks XB, Bass and Thwaites Half Nelson, the latter appearing to be the one guest beer. Beers sampled were in good form.
Well worth a look in when in town
On 22nd October 2012
- rating: 8
[User has posted 560 recommendations about 560 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn
This is a massive 17th century stone and cream building that offers accommodation, a restaurant, a brasserie and a bar.
I walked into an ante-room awaiting a meal in the restuarant and my heart sank a little as it appeared to be a modern interior, but i turned out to be wrong.
The ante-room and the restaurant were modern. The restaurant is up in the garret. The food was very good and service excellent. As an old fashionedy, the decor and the chairs were not to my liking, however, the bar really made up for it. I didnt go in the brasserie. The bar was traditional. Cream walls, wood beams, with a nice brick fire place; there were lots of military ephemera, swords, breastplates and brass ornaments. The service here was friendly and the clientele mature. There was another room off the bar, effectively the passageway to the bogs.
Beer; tap stuff, with Bombardier, Bass and the excellent Hancock's XB on handpull.
A delight
On 20th September 2009
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]