Sudbury Lady Elizabeth

Sudbury Lady Elizabeth

also traded as Bull Inn, Black Boy

South East, 52.03849,0.73002

Closed:
On Right Move initially for 425,000, now (May 2026) reduced

opened 18th century

last owner/operator: Greene King

7 Market Hill, CO10 2EA

grid reference TL 873 413

The pub is shown on this OS town plan from 1881 (larger map).

old OS map

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.

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

Map

map

Gallery

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Historical interest

Historical interest

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Landlords

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)

Old OS map reproduced with the permission of the National Library of Scotland.

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