At a glance
Historic 16th-century coaching inn in central Beaumaris — a short walk from Beaumaris Castle and Gaol. Bar, Loft Restaurant, and accommodation in one of Anglesey's most characterful buildings. Open daily. LL58 8AP.
About The Bull, Beaumaris
The Bull has stood at the centre of Beaumaris since the 16th century — a coaching inn established to serve travellers on the Holyhead road, one of the most important routes in Britain in the era of Irish ferry traffic. Before the Menai Suspension Bridge opened in 1826, the crossing to Anglesey was made by ferry at Beaumaris, and the inn caught the traffic of passengers travelling between Dublin, Holyhead, and London. Five centuries of use have given The Bull the kind of worn-in character that cannot be designed or replicated.
The building today is a proper inn: a bar with real ales and a daily food menu, a more formal Loft Restaurant for dinner, and accommodation rooms in the historic fabric of the building. The food makes sensible use of Welsh produce — Anglesey beef and lamb, local seafood, seasonal vegetables — without overreaching into territory unsuited to a pub. The bar is comfortable for a casual lunch; the restaurant is appropriate for a more considered evening. Charles Dickens and Samuel Johnson are among the historical visitors claimed by the inn's records.
The location is as good as it gets in Beaumaris: 5 minutes' walk from both Beaumaris Castle (UNESCO, Cadw) and Beaumaris Gaol (County Council), and a short walk from the waterfront promenade with its views across the Menai Strait to the Eryri mountains. Penmon Point, with its lighthouse, medieval priory, and grey seals, is 4 miles east. Bangor is 9 miles west across the strait.
Find it on the map
Frequently asked questions
The Bull coaching inn dates to the 16th century — it was established to serve travellers on the main road from Holyhead (the Irish packet port) to London and the English Midlands, which passed through Beaumaris. In the days before the Menai Suspension Bridge (opened 1826), the crossing from the mainland to <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span> was made by ferry at Beaumaris, making the town a significant coaching stop. Charles Dickens is among the famous visitors said to have stayed at The Bull.
The Bull has two eating options: the informal bar, which serves pub food throughout the day, and the Loft Restaurant, which offers a more formal dining experience. Both menus draw on Welsh and local produce — Anglesey beef, local seafood, and seasonal ingredients feature. The bar is a good option for a casual lunch before or after Beaumaris Castle; the Loft is better suited to a more considered dinner. Booking for the restaurant is advisable, particularly in summer.
Yes — The Bull has accommodation rooms in the main building, ranging from standard rooms to more characterful options in the older parts of the inn. Staying at The Bull gives excellent access to Beaumaris and the eastern coast of <span lang="cy">Anglesey</span>: Penmon Point is 4 miles, Benllech Beach is 8 miles, and Bangor is 9 miles across the Menai Strait. The inn is a particularly good base for those who want a historic building with character rather than a modern hotel.
The Bull is an ideal post-castle stop — it is a 5-minute walk from Beaumaris Castle and Beaumaris Gaol, making it a natural end-point for a day exploring the town. The bar has character appropriate to the age of the building, and real ales including Welsh beers are typically available. On fine days the area around Beaumaris is excellent for a drink before or after the waterfront walk along the Menai Strait.
Beaumaris has three major attractions within a short walk of The Bull. Beaumaris Castle (Cadw, admission charged) is the most technically perfect concentric castle in Britain, begun by Edward I in 1295. Beaumaris Gaol (admission charged, Easter–October) is a remarkably intact Victorian prison of 1829. The waterfront promenade along the Menai Strait offers views across to the <span lang="cy">Eryri</span> mountains. Penmon Point — with its medieval priory, grey seals, and lighthouse — is 4 miles east along the coast.