Hanes
The modern touches throughout The Bull and Townhouse mean it's sometimes difficult to believe each building is over 400 years old. However, the beams, staircases and ancient artefacts quickly remind you of their rich and extensive history.
The original timbers of the Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn were built in 1472. It soon became an important gathering place used for both socialising and trading. Fast forward 550 years and the socialising part hasn't changed!
General Thomas Mytton (1608-1665) made The Bull his headquarters at the siege of Beaumaris during the second English Civil War in 1648.
Almost a century later in 1733, The Bull became one of the first Quaker meeting houses legally recorded on Anglesey.
In the latter part of the 18th century, one of Beaumaris' annual social highlights was hunt week. In celebration of the now controversial activities, balls and dinners were almost always held at The Bull. It has always been a place for celebration!
One of the most famous guests to have stepped foot in The Bull is Charles Dickens. He visited Anglesey to report on the famous sinking of the Royal Charter in Moelfre.
Dickens has undoubtedly had a big influence on the modern day Bull and nowhere is this more visible than on the bedroom doors where almost every room is named after a Dickens character!
Oeddech chi'n gwybod ...The largest simple hinged gate in the UK hangs in The Bull's pretty courtyard. Stand beside it and look up. It's impressive…and very heavy to open! |
Oeddech chi'n gwybod ...In 1802, The Bull became the headquarters of the Beaumaris Book Society. The group enjoyed the hospitality here so much that they continued to meet in The Bull for the next 24 years in what is now known as the Residents Lounge. I wonder which books they spoke about? |
Standing opposite The Bull in 2005, the building now known as The Townhouse had become a derelict eyesore. A beautiful and historically important Grade II listed building in desperate need of rescuing.
Interestingly, the inspiration to modernise this building came from one of its earlier associations. It's difficult to imagine now but over 100 years ago, this building used to operate as a Temperance hotel promoting the virtues of teetotalism. My how things have changed! I wonder what they'd think of the plentiful drinking in the Coaching Inn opposite?!
Construction lasted a long 2 years as we took great care to preserve the natural character and structure of the building while transforming it into the modern boutique hotel that greets you today.
The result in 2007 was a visual extravaganza of colour & texture which continues to stop passersby in their tracks today.
