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The Bull Hotel was situated on Halton Road. Originally known as The White Bull, this pub was present by 1842 when the publican was William Simpson.

The building is now known as Taurus House and is currently occupied by GPC Industries Ltd, a trolley, pallet truck and truck barrow supplier.

John Stephenson (March 2011)

In 1814 the pub was known as the White Bull Inn. Within two years this had been shortened to just the Bull Inn. By around 1875 it was also being referred to as the Bull Hotel. At least three generations of the Simpson family – including Jane Simpson, William Simpson Sen, William Simpson Jnr, John Simpson, Henry and Thomas Simpson – ran it between around 1814 and 1930. The bottle shown almost certainly refers to Thomas Simpson's period in charge (see below). LANDLORDS OF THE BULL HOTEL, SPILSBY 1813-1987 1813 – ? Mrs Hartley ? 1814 onwards – William Simpson Sen.(landlord). 1851 to late 1860s – William Simpson Jun.(landlord). Late 1860s to 1871 – A Miss Carterbriefly took over as caretaker manager following the death of William Simpson Jun. 1871 onwards – Henry Simpson(landlord) and his wife Mary E Simpson. 1883 to 1929 – Thomas Simpson(landlord & owner). For part of this time he was running the hotel in conjunction with Henry Simpson. Henry was also a Spilsby auctioneer and valuer who died of a heart attack whilst conducting a sale of furniture at Hundleby in 1893. Thomas Simpsondied on the premises on 11th March 1929, aged 71, and was the last of the Simpsons to run the hotel. The following year (1930) it was sold by auction. It was described as having on the first floor a billiard room, 7 bedrooms and a bathroom with hot and cold water, and on the ground floor, a bar, large smoke room, coffee room, office, spacious dining room, large kitchen, scullery, pantry and 2 large cool cellars. Outside were various outbuildings including 2 large beer, wine and spirit stores, a 5-stall stable "easily convertible into garages", 2 large stores and 7 loose boxes with spacious ante-rooms off, a cow stable, fodder store and 2 garages. There was also a garden with bowling green and 2 heated greenhouses. So it was quite a substantial property. A further sale two months later, this time of the contents of the hotel, included 600 lots of antique and modern furniture, Sheffield and other plates and cutlery, glasses and linenware. In Sep 1931 Mr R W Day became its licensee. He had previously been an employee of Robey & Co of Lincoln. By 1939 Francis John Mann had taken over as proprietor and licensee. He was living there with his wife Annie Mann and their son George F Mann, then just 8 years old. In 1940 Samuel Rea Dowling, a native of Belfast, together with his wife Sarah Jane Dowling who came with him, took over as licensee of the hotel. He had moved to Spilsby in 1936 to work as a dental mechanic for dentist Mr H C Moulder. He would remain as landlord of the Bull until his death on the premises in 1961. Afterwards his widow Sadie Dowling continued to run the hotel until 1976, serving as its landlady for a total of 36 years. She would eventually re-marry and move to Ashby-by-Partney where she passed away in 1985, aged 79. Their only daughter Sandra Dowling had died in a riding accident in 1975 when she was thrown from a horse during a riding lesson on Horncastle Hill, Old Bolingbroke. In 1977 David E Spray and his partner (later wife) Catherine took over the hotel, David working as both its landlord and chef. By this time the Bull was still a Bateman's pub. The Sprays made a point of offering wine and evening meals (inc European cuisine) in addition to the more traditional beers and pub lunches. They also organised German and French weekends at the hotel, with German and French menus to accompany them, and often provided the food for events taking place at the Franklin Hall, across the road. Mr Spray remained as landlord of the Bull until at least 1987. The hotel was put on the market by owners Batemans in May 1988 – initially as a potential restaurant/licensed premises. However, the following year the owners were given planning permission to convert it into a shop and offices. Despite this various groups including Spilsby Young Farmers and the Steeping & District Saddle Society continued to meet there occasionally into the 1990s.

John Stephenson (May 2025)

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