The Bull Hotel: Three Centuries of Peterborough Heritage

Origins in Sacred Ground

The Bull Hotel’s story begins in the 1670s on one of England’s most historically significant streets. Westgate has been a principal thoroughfare through Peterborough since medieval times, connecting the cathedral precinct with the wider world beyond. When the original coaching inn was established on this prime location, builders may have unknowingly chosen ground with a far more ancient and sacred purpose.

Archaeological evidence discovered during building works in 1999 reveals the hotel’s remarkable foundation story. When excavating for a new extension, builders uncovered brick burial vaults containing human remains, suggesting the site had previously served as a cemetery or burial ground. These findings support local legends that The Bull was built upon the site of an early Nonconformist chapel, where generations of Peterborough’s religious dissenters had been laid to rest.

The decision to build upon such consecrated ground was not unusual for the period. Following the Great Fire of London in 1666 and subsequent urban development throughout England, many old religious sites were repurposed for commercial use. However, the disturbance of burial grounds often carried with it a particular weight of local superstition and folklore—concerns that would prove remarkably prescient in The Bull’s case.

The Golden Age of Coaching

By the mid-18th century, The Bull had established itself as a vital link in England’s coaching network. The original modest inn of eight rooms served travellers on the increasingly important routes connecting London with the eastern counties. Peterborough’s strategic position made it an essential stopping point, and The Bull’s location on Westgate—directly linking the cathedral quarter with the market areas—made it particularly attractive to both religious pilgrims and commercial travellers.

The hotel’s architecture reflected its practical purpose. The distinctive archway that still forms the main entrance originally provided access to the coaching yard, where teams of horses would be changed and travellers could rest whilst their vehicles were serviced and loaded. This courtyard became the beating heart of the inn’s operations, bustling with ostlers, coachmen, porters, and the countless support staff essential to the coaching trade.

Contemporary records from the 18th century describe The Bull as maintaining a “town pound” under licence from local magistrates. This arrangement required the inn to provide accommodation for livestock belonging to travelling farmers, who would house their animals overnight before market day. The outbuildings that served this purpose occupied what is now the hotel’s car park, whilst guest stables stood ready to accommodate the horses of more affluent visitors.

Victorian Transformation and Industrial Growth

The opening of the Great Northern Railway in 1850 marked a revolutionary change for both Peterborough and The Bull Hotel. As the railway transformed the city from a sleepy market town into a thriving industrial centre, the hotel adapted to serve a new generation of travellers. The coming of rail transport initially threatened the coaching trade, but The Bull’s prime location near the new railway station proved fortuitous.

Victorian Peterborough experienced unprecedented growth, driven by the brick-making industry that would define the city’s character. The distinctive Fletton bricks, manufactured from local clay, were transported via the railway to London and across Britain, bringing prosperity to the region. The Bull Hotel became a natural gathering place for the businessmen, engineers, and entrepreneurs who drove this industrial revolution.

During this period, the hotel employed numerous staff members whose roles reflected the complex social hierarchy of Victorian hospitality. Night porters, hall boys, chambermaids, ostlers, and kitchen staff worked around the clock to maintain the establishment’s reputation. These dedicated employees often lived on the premises, their entire lives intertwined with the hotel’s operations. Such profound connections to place may explain why some presences seem never to have departed.

The Great Expansion of 1901

The dawn of the 20th century brought dramatic changes to The Bull’s physical structure. Until 1901, the hotel had remained essentially the same modest eight-room establishment it had been for over two centuries. However, as Peterborough continued to grow and the demands of modern travellers evolved, a major expansion became necessary.

This transformation marked the beginning of The Bull’s evolution from coaching inn to modern hotel. The expansion required significant construction work, inevitably disturbing ground that had remained untouched since the original building’s construction. Workers would have encountered not only the foundations of earlier structures but potentially additional burial sites from the property’s pre-coaching inn history.

The timing of this expansion coincides with the first documented reports of supernatural activity at The Bull. Whilst ghost stories may have circulated privately among staff and guests before 1901, the major building works seem to have intensified paranormal phenomena. The correlation between construction, ground disturbance, and increased ghostly activity follows patterns observed at numerous historic properties where extensive renovations have seemingly awakened dormant spiritual presences.

War, Recovery, and Modernisation

The early 20th century brought both challenges and opportunities to The Bull Hotel. During World War I, the establishment served military officers and officials travelling through Peterborough on government business. The hotel’s reputation for discretion and quality made it a preferred accommodation for those requiring secure, comfortable lodgings during uncertain times.

The interwar period saw The Bull adapting to the growing popularity of motor car travel. Where once the courtyard had echoed with the clatter of hooves and the rumble of coach wheels, petrol and oil pumps now served the needs of motorists. This practical adaptation demonstrated the hotel’s continuing evolution whilst maintaining its essential character as Peterborough’s premier accommodation.

World War II brought new responsibilities as The Bull provided billets for military personnel stationed in the area. The hotel’s robust construction and central location made it ideal for housing officers and officials whose duties required them to remain in Peterborough for extended periods. These wartime guests may have contributed their own stories to the hotel’s accumulating store of supernatural encounters.

Modern Renaissance and Archaeological Discovery

The 1970s marked another pivotal chapter in The Bull’s history when the Labour government provided development grants to modernise Britain’s hotel industry. The Bull benefited significantly from this initiative, undergoing extensive refurbishment that transformed it into a truly contemporary establishment whilst carefully preserving its historic character.

This modernisation process required careful planning to balance historical preservation with commercial necessity. The hotel’s Grade II listed status demanded that any alterations respect its architectural heritage, leading to a thoughtful approach that enhanced rather than replaced original features. Oak beams, period fireplaces, and historic architectural details were carefully integrated with modern amenities.

The acquisition of The Bull by Peel Hotels in 1998 under Robert Peel, former Chief Executive of Mount Charlotte and Thistle Hotels, brought professional expertise and significant investment. The subsequent extensive refurbishment elevated The Bull to four-star status, making it Peterborough’s only AA-recognised four-star city centre hotel.

The Archaeological Revelation of 1999

Perhaps the most significant discovery in The Bull’s modern history came during construction work in 1999, when archaeological excavation revealed the true extent of the site’s ancient heritage. The discovery of brick burial vaults containing human remains provided concrete evidence for legends that had persisted for centuries about the hotel’s sacred foundations.

This archaeological evidence suggests that The Bull occupies ground that served as a burial place for generations before the coaching inn’s construction. The careful, formal nature of the brick vaults indicates these were not casual interments but part of an organised cemetery, possibly associated with a chapel or religious community that predated the current structure.

The revelation that The Bull literally rests upon the remains of previous generations adds profound context to the hotel’s supernatural reputation. The disturbance of burial sites, particularly during major construction projects, has long been associated with increased paranormal activity in folklore and documented paranormal research.

Legacy and Continuing Heritage

Today, The Bull Hotel stands as a testament to Peterborough’s remarkable journey from medieval cathedral city through coaching hub to modern commercial centre. Its 350-year history encompasses every major phase of English social and economic development, from the restoration of Charles II through the industrial revolution to the digital age.

The hotel’s architectural evolution reflects these changing times whilst maintaining essential connections to its origins. The archway entrance still leads visitors through the space once occupied by the coaching yard, whilst the reception area occupies ground where travellers once waited for fresh horses and onward transport. Modern conference facilities serve business needs that would have been unimaginable to 17th-century innkeepers, yet the fundamental hospitality mission remains unchanged.

The supernatural residents who seemingly share The Bull with its living guests and staff represent more than mere ghost stories—they embody the countless individuals whose lives were intertwined with this establishment across the centuries. From the night porters whose dedication transcended death to the coaching dogs whose loyalty knew no earthly bounds, these presences serve as living memorials to the hotel’s rich human heritage.

Understanding The Bull’s history provides essential context for its paranormal reputation. The combination of disturbed burial ground, centuries of human habitation, and profound emotional connections to place creates precisely the conditions most associated with sustained supernatural activity. Rather than diminishing the ghost stories, historical investigation strengthens their credibility by revealing the deep roots from which such phenomena might naturally emerge.