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Sudbury Lady Elizabeth
Sudbury Lady Elizabeth
formerly Bull Inn, Black Boy
South East, 52.03849,0.73002
Cask Ale is sold here.
7 Market Hill, CO10 2EA
grid reference TL 873 413
opened 18th century
owner/operator: Greene King
Historic building that has recently been refurbished and changes made to make the most of what the pub has to offer, such as a traditional inn feel.
A tasty menu of pub classics using local produce. Also open for breakfast daily from 9-11am.
Seven ensuite letting rooms are available and a a large outside courtyard seating area.
Pub renamed by Greene King in 2021.
A Victorian brewery was located on this site.
The pub is named after Lady Elizabeth de Burgh (1295-1360), who in the 14th century invested in creating the Market Hill in Sudbury, where the pub is located today.
The pub's name was chosen in February 2021 by the Sudbury community following a pubic vote held by the pub's owner Greene King.
The pub's previous name was the Black Boy, with the name dating back to at least the early 19th century.
There are records of the pub going by this name when it changed hands at auctions in 1824 and 1849. It was later owned by Oliver's Brewery who sold the pub to Greene King in 1919.
Some historians link the name with King Charles II, others point to chimney sweeps or similar work carried out by children but several also point directly to the name itself having racist origins.
Research undertaken by Greene King showed that many people thought the name had racist connotations and therefore a decision was made to change it.
Following a consultation with the local community a range of potential new names were put to a vote, with The Lady Elizabeth receiving the most support.sign outside the pub
Facilities
- Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
- Dogs welcome
- Evening meals
- Family friendly
- Lunchtime meals (not just snacks)
- Parking
- Restaurant or separate dining area
- Separate bar
- WiFi available
Railway station about 0.3 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Historical interest
The pub is shown on this OS town plan from 1881 (larger map).
Owner/operator: Greene King
[Black Boy]
Recently much improved wood panelled pub. Busy on market days.
Beers: Greene King IPA, AbbotCAMRA's 1997 Suffolk Real Ale Guide
Bull baiting was formerly held in what's now the car park area to the rear of the building.
The name may be linked to the Dassel family who lived next door and used to employ black boys from their West Indian sugar plantations as servants.…
Landlords
Footnote
Although such signs of a black boy usually today portray a quaint picture of a sweep in Dickensian costume - in the 17th cent. the fashion for negro servants e.g. pageboys was also quite common for the wealthy.
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
(some old PO directory information courtesy of londonpublichouse.com)
(** information from Stuart Ansell)
(*** historic newspaper information from Bob Mitchell)