The Bull Hotel first appears in the alehouse recognisances in 1770 and it is not known why it is not mentioned before that date; perhaps is underwent a period of closure at that time. The Colchester Museum Card index states that during the 1930s the landlord Arthur Green had the yard extended and made a good amount of money by charging for car parking. In 1992, part of the original yard was opened up as an official car park.<1>

The name of the pub is a very popular one throughout the country, often associated (like the bear) with bull baiting (which may have been conducted in close proximity to the pub). There is a large bull statue mounted on the building façade.