This Bar In Wales Dates Back To The 15th Century And Has A Must-Try Gin List

The Bull, Beaumaris

Castle Street, Beaumaris,

Anglesey,

LL58 8AP

01248 810329

The Bull is truly the perfect place to enjoy an autumnal evening quaffing down gin cocktails. Run as a family establishment since 1987, you won’t find anywhere more welcoming than beside one of its three open fires.

The Bull is nestled in the historic community of Beaumaris, on the Welsh isle of Anglesey. The island has a rich history of wild nights. Skirmishes between Druids and Romans, Irish Pirates and Scottish Warlords, even Viking invasions – and the raucous parties that would have followed a hard day of battle – form the tapestry of its past. A stone’s throw away from the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Beaumaris Castle, The Bull itself is steeped in history.

As Kate Robertson, whose father bought The Bull in 1987, enthuses: “The atmosphere is like no other. The pub is full of ancient artefacts which often capture guests’ imaginations. The original timbers of The Bull date back to the 15th century.”

But it’s not just the structure that’s worth paying attention to. So is the guest book! Kate continues, “We have a long history of welcoming guests! Notable periods in The Bull’s history are General Mytton’s stay during the English Civil War in 1648 – he made it his headquarters — and Charles Dickens’ stay in the 19th century, while he was writing one of his novels. His influence has been vast as the majority of our bedrooms are named after Dickens characters.”

The Bull has stayed central to the community right up to the modern day. Kate says, “It’s a hub of Beaumaris and a truly sociable place, where people seem relaxed and happy after a long day walking or a working week!’

Indeed, the community has even had a role in building The Bull’s gin list, which is 29 spirits long. Kate explains: “There’s nothing like customer feedback, so we often put a new gin on the menu as our gin of the week to measure the reaction from guests. This way, we can be certain that our final list contains the selection that our guests rate and love.” The harmony within The Bull’s walls extends to the natural world beyond.

“When developing our cocktail menu,” Kate says, “we work with the seasons, and pay particular attention to the best ingredients each time of year has to offer.”

In summer, you could enjoy an Elderflower 75, which fizzes upon your tongue. In the winter, the superb Warm Gin Struddle will warm the cockles of your heart.

So grab your family, your loved ones and your dog, and venture to The Bull for a gin cocktail in the flickering firelight.