The Pied Bull, standing on Northgate Street in Chester, claims the title of the city’s oldest pub, dating back to 1158. Originally a coaching inn, its black-and-white timber frame and creaky floors have welcomed travelers, merchants, and locals for over 800 years. Rebuilt in the 17th century, it’s tied to Chester’s medieval roots near the city walls. Today, it’s a charming pub and hotel, but its ancient bones murmur Chester ghost stories that echo through time.
This inn thrived as Chester grew from a Roman outpost to a bustling trade hub. Its cellars once stored ale for stagecoach passengers, and its rooms sheltered tales of revelry and ruin. The Pied Bull blends history with a spectral chill, drawing those eager for Chester ghost stories and haunted Chester pubs.
Alleged Ghost Stories
One tale tells of The Fallen Maid, a 16th-century servant who tumbled down the cellar stairs after a tryst went wrong. Her faint cries drift from below, and barrels shift in the dark—staff swear they’ve seen her shadow flit by. Another story features The Jolly Coachman, a jovial driver who drank his last here in 1702, dying in a brawl. His hearty laugh rings near the bar, and tankards tip over, as if he’s still clinking glasses. These Chester ghost stories make The Pied Bull a spooky classic.