Bull, Long Melford

An inn since 1580, the Bull has been much restored and the right hand section is in fact two cottages rebuilt in 17th century style. Renovations were carried out in 1935 by Trust Houses when the half-timbering of the frontage were revealed after up to 100 years being hidden. Further changes took place in the early 1960s when much of the interior was reorganised. Before then, the front far left room was the public bar with access from the street; the near left was the dining room and the rear (now the bar) was the residents lounge. The changes saw the rear left room converted to the main bar and the front far left the lounge and it is unchanged since. In the bar, an impressive fielded panelled counter was installed along with bar back fittings in the same period style and including a counter/hatch to the lounge. Elsewhere are an old brick fireplace and moulded oak beams.; the room has been extended at the back, hence the change of level. In the two-part lounge the counter/hatch has a bar front from the 1960s alterations. In the former dining room, now part of the lounge, are deeply moulded oak beams, the main beam being supported on an upright at the top of which is a carving of a 'Wildman' or 'Woodwose'. There is also a massive brick fireplace and a deep cornice all around the room. In the dining room to the right of the flagstone passage/hall are more oak beams and a glorious Elizabethan fireplace, some twelve-feet wide and spanned by a massive oak mantle beam, also delightfully carved.