grid reference TM 166 441
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CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated 25/01/2020
Ipswich Bull
also traded as as: Bulls Head
historical closure era: mid 20th centuryclosed September 30th, 1961
last owner Cobbold's
35 Key St
This old pub is now a mix of retail and residential use.
The timber frame of the building dates from the 16th century, though the brick fronting is from the 19th. It was one of Ipswich's most ancient inns; one of only 24 listed in a town assessment of 1689.
A Zeppelin airship destroyed part of the roof on 31st March 1916 and demolished an adjoining cottage killing one man.
These premises were listed in the 1844 White's Suffolk Trades Directory with carriers operating from the inn to Debenham, Gislingham, Halesworth & Stradbroke. Carriers continued to operate from here until the 1920s.
It's also listed at Common Quay, John Street and Quay.
An announcement of the death on the 4th August 1810, aged 43, Mr Laws, of the Bull Inn, on the Common Quay, Ipswich.Ipswich Journal, August 1810***
Died, on 17.06.1856: Mrs Susanah HITCHCOCK, aged 76, many years landlady of the Coffee House Inn, Sudbury, & mother of Mrs SPURGIN of the Bull Inn, Ipswich.Ipswich Journal, June 25th 1856**
The Bull is shown on this old OS map from about the end of the 19th century. larger map
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
Closure date from Ipswich licensing records.
(information from Dudley Diaper)
(detailed information from Old inns of Suffolk by Leonard P Thompson)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Stuart Ansell)
Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.