Haunted Hosts

The Bull Hotel stands as one of Bridport's most historically significant buildings, serving as a coaching inn since the 16th century. The building played a pivotal role during the turbulent events of the Monmouth Rebellion in 1685, when James Scott, Duke of Monmouth, landed at nearby Lyme Regis in his attempt to claim the throne from his uncle, King James II. During the subsequent skirmishes in Bridport, the hotel became an unwitting stage for tragedy when Wadham Strangeways, a local gentleman, was fatally wounded by a musket shot whilst firing from one of the hotel's front windows. The building's architecture reflects its Tudor origins with later Georgian additions, featuring original oak beams, stone walls, and period fireplaces that have witnessed centuries of history. The hotel's courtyard, now a peaceful dining area, once echoed with the sounds of horses and carriages as travellers sought rest on the important coaching route between London and the West Country. The building's connection to literature is equally notable, with suggestions that Thomas Hardy featured The Bull in his 1880 short story 'Fellow Townsmen', cementing its place in both local history and English literary heritage. Archaeological evidence suggests the site may have been occupied since medieval times, with the current structure built upon foundations that could date back to the 13th century, making it one of the oldest continuously operating hospitality establishments in Dorset.