The Bull Hotel: A Historic Inn Steeped in Murder and Legend

The Bull Hotel stands as a prominent historical landmark on Long Melford’s famous High Street, its distinctive timber-framed façade serving as a gateway to over five centuries of English history. Built around 1450, this remarkable coaching inn has witnessed the rise and fall of dynasties, the turmoil of civil war, and the steady march of progress that has transformed Suffolk from a medieval wool-trading heartland into the modern county we know today.

Medieval Foundations and Early Years

Established in the mid-15th century during the reign of Henry VI, The Bull was constructed as part of Long Melford’s thriving medieval economy. The village’s strategic position along the ancient route between London and Norwich made it an essential stopping point for merchants, pilgrims, and travellers of all descriptions. The inn’s original name likely derived from the bull’s head symbol commonly used by inns and taverns to identify their establishments to a largely illiterate population.

The building itself reflects the prosperity of its era. Constructed using traditional timber-framing techniques with oak beams sourced from local Suffolk forests, The Bull was built to last. The craftsmanship evident in its structure—from the intricate carved details to the massive supporting beams—demonstrates the wealth and importance of Long Melford during the height of England’s medieval wool trade.

The Tudor and Elizabethan Periods

By 1580, The Bull had firmly established itself as one of Suffolk’s premier coaching inns. The Tudor period brought increased trade and travel, with the inn serving not only local residents but also the growing number of merchants and officials travelling between London and the eastern counties. During this time, many of the inn’s most striking architectural features were added, including the Elizabethan fireplace that still warms the lounge today.

The inn’s guest registers, though incomplete, suggest that it hosted a diverse clientele during this period. Wealthy wool merchants conducting business in Long Melford’s thriving market would stay at The Bull, as would government officials, travelling clerics, and even occasionally members of the minor nobility making their way to estates in Norfolk or Cambridgeshire.

The Civil War Murder: A Defining Moment

The inn’s most significant historical event occurred during the turbulent years of the English Civil War. In 1648, during the Second Civil War, The Bull became the scene of a brutal murder that would echo through the centuries. Richard Evered, a yeoman farmer who had taken on the role of landlord, found himself caught up in the political tensions that were tearing England apart.

On that fateful day, a heated political argument between Evered and another man, Roger Greene, escalated beyond mere words. The confrontation, which began as a discussion about the ongoing conflict between Royalist and Parliamentarian forces, ended in violence when Greene stabbed Evered in the back as he stood in a doorway, attempting to withdraw from the altercation.

The murder shocked the local community. Greene was swiftly apprehended, tried, and executed by hanging—a rapid justice that reflected both the seriousness of the crime and the unsettled nature of the times. However, the case took an extraordinary and mysterious turn when Evered’s family arrived to collect his body for burial, only to discover that the corpse had completely vanished from where it had been laid out in the inn’s hall.

Despite extensive searches and investigations, Richard Evered’s body was never found. This disappearance remains one of Suffolk’s most enduring historical mysteries and has contributed significantly to The Bull’s reputation as one of England’s most authentically haunted locations.

The Coaching Era and Georgian Prosperity

Following the restoration of the monarchy in 1660, The Bull entered what many consider its golden age. Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, the inn served as a principal posting house on the London to Norwich coaching route. The courtyard would have been bustling with activity as coaches arrived to change horses, passengers took refreshment, and goods were loaded and unloaded.

During this period, The Bull employed dozens of staff—ostlers to tend the horses, chambermaids to service the rooms, cooks and serving staff for the dining areas, and stable hands to maintain the extensive courtyard facilities. The inn’s reputation for quality accommodation and service made it a favoured stopping point for travellers of all social classes.

Architectural Heritage and Preservation

The Bull is recognised as a Grade II* listed building, celebrating its exceptional historical and architectural significance. The timber-framed construction, with its distinctive black and white façade, represents one of Suffolk’s finest examples of medieval inn architecture. The building’s structure reveals centuries of careful maintenance and sympathetic modification, with each era leaving its mark whilst respecting the original medieval framework.

Inside, visitors can still admire the massive moulded oak beams that dominate the reception area, their surfaces blackened by centuries of wood smoke and time. The Elizabethan fireplace in the lounge, with its intricate carved stonework, continues to provide warmth just as it has for over 400 years. Period furniture, carefully selected and maintained, complements the building’s ancient character whilst providing modern comfort.

One of the inn’s most intriguing historical artefacts is the mummified cat discovered sealed within a wall during restoration work. This macabre find represents a fascinating glimpse into historical superstitions—cats were commonly immured in buildings as protective charms against evil spirits and misfortune. The cat is now displayed in the bar, adding to The Bull’s atmosphere of historical authenticity.

Harry Price and Paranormal Investigation

The Bull’s reputation for supernatural activity received significant validation in the 20th century when renowned ghost hunter Harry Price used the inn as his operational base during his investigations of nearby Borley Rectory. Price, whose work on Borley earned the location the title of “England’s most haunted house,” chose The Bull not only for its convenient location but also because he recognised the inn’s own paranormal credentials.

Price’s association with The Bull brought the inn to the attention of serious paranormal researchers and helped establish its reputation beyond local folklore. His endorsement lent scholarly credibility to the ghost stories that had been part of The Bull’s character for centuries.

Modern Era and Continued Legacy

Today, The Bull Hotel continues to operate much as it has for over 500 years, welcoming guests who come to experience both its historical significance and its reputation for paranormal activity. The inn successfully balances its role as a working hotel with its status as a historical monument, offering modern amenities whilst preserving the authentic medieval atmosphere that makes it so special.

Recent restoration work has been carried out with careful attention to historical accuracy, ensuring that future generations will be able to experience The Bull much as travellers have for centuries. The inn stands as a testament to the enduring appeal of England’s coaching inn tradition and serves as a tangible link to the dramatic events that have shaped Suffolk’s history.