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The Black Bull, Chelmsford, Essex

The Black Bull

4.4 (3)
£25 and under
Pub
244 Rainsford Rd, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 2PN

Make a booking

A photo of The Black Bull restaurant

The Black Bull

4.4
£25 and under
Pub
Chelmsford

Make a booking

2 people
20:00
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

Located just outside Chelmsford city centre, The Black Bull is a welcoming community pub set opposite Admirals Park, the perfect spot to relax after a walk or day out in the local area. Step inside and you'll find a friendly, laid-back atmosphere with plenty of space to unwind, enjoy great company, and feel right at home. Our menu is packed with delicious pub classics and favourites, alongside a great range of drinks to suit every occasion.

Additional information

  • Area
    Chelmsford
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • Festive Set Menu - £19.50pp (£5pp deposit)

    £5.00 per person

    Prepaid

    1 - 10 people

    18 Nov 2026 - 31 Dec 2026
    This festive period, we are your home for festive cheer. We’re bringing all the sparkle, all the flavour and all the feels. Whether it’s a work’s do, a catch-up with mates or a festive family feast, our pub is where Christmas truly feels like home. Our festive menu is back! Tuck into festive picky bits, share laughs over tasty mains, and save room for our irresistible desserts – because calories don’t count at Christmas, right? Book your festive season with us, whether you’re planning Christmas party nights, family festive meals, Christmas Eve celebrations, Boxing Day gatherings or New Year’s Eve festivities. With our festive menus running throughout the festive season, there’s no better place to eat, drink and celebrate with the people who matter most! Secure your festive booking today with a deposit of just £5 per person.
    Festive Set Menu - £19.50pp (£5pp deposit) photo
  • 4 Course Christmas Day (£10pp deposit)

    £10.00 per person

    Prepaid

    1 - 10 people

    25 Dec 2026 only
    Let us do the cooking (and washing up) this Christmas Day, while you soak up the good times, great company and those unbeatable turkey aromas. This Christmas, we’ve saved the best seat in the house for you and your favourite people. Our four-course Christmas Day menu, is all about proper festive comfort; tasty dishes made with care, alongside the classic turkey and trimmings everyone loves. We can’t wait for the pub to be filled with laughter, full bellies and that warm, happy buzz only Christmas Day can bring. Make it a day to remember, to secure your table for Christmas Day, we require a £10 non-refundable deposit and outstanding full payment balance by the 4th December.
    4 Course Christmas Day (£10pp deposit) photo

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at The Black Bull.

4.4

4.4
(3)
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.2Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.6Value

Noise • Energetic

3 Reviews
  1. Grace

    Essex4 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on 2 August 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 2
    4. Ambience 3
    They didn’t have a lot of menu items left, however we did go late Sunday evening so I do understand, (i.e. fish and chicken) so we decided on beef roasts and they were nice!
    The Black BullResponded on 25 August 2026
    Thanks for your review, Grace. We’re really pleased you enjoyed the beef roasts. We’re sorry that a few of the other choices had sold out by the time you visited. It had been a busy Sunday for us, but we really appreciate your understanding and we’re glad we were still able to serve you a roast you enjoyed. Hopefully we’ll see you again soon. Rachel & The Black Bull team.

    Is this helpful?

  2. Brooke

    Essex1 review

    5.0

    Dined on 5 July 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Visited the Black Bull pub yesterday for a Friends & Family Afternoon, with my parents and my other half! All very happy with the super lovely atmosphere! Food was incredible! Had the Roast Beef and was beautifully presented! All staff were very friendly and chatty. Look forward to seeing everyone and having some food and drinks again soon!
    The Black BullResponded on 2 August 2026
    Hi Brooke, thanks for leaving us a review, I'm really glad you all enjoyed your meal at the friends and family session, thank you for coming and hope to see you soon

    Is this helpful?

  3. Tracey

    Essex1 review

    4.0

    Dined on 4 July 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 5
    Lovely food few small issues. They have only just opened as was there first day. Ordered pizza waited 30mins came out lovely but no cutter. Also i have allegies and i mentioned that should have a flag on food so it doesnt get mixed up in kitchen. Wasnt alot on menu i could have due to milk allegies but lovely place polite staff will be back
    The Black BullResponded on 2 August 2026
    Thank you for coming to our friends and family session. really sorry you had to wait, but glad you enjoyed the food, we have taken on board your feed back about flags and have now ordered some allergen flags. Hope to see you soon

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Area
    Chelmsford
  • Parking Details
    Private Lot
  • Additional
    Beer, Beer Garden, Cocktails, Counter Seating, Dog Friendly, Entertainment, Full Bar, Gluten-free Options, Indoor Fireplace, Late Night, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Vegan, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

The Black Bull feels like a warm, traditional community pub, characterful stone walls and wooden beams, welcoming staff, a family-friendly vibe, lively evenings with music and football, and a sunny beer garden.

Yes, the Black Bull’s spacious beer garden includes a dedicated children’s play area, making it a popular spot for family outings and outdoor seating.

Head to The Black Bull on Sundays for the much‑praised Sunday roast; families also favour Tuesdays for the regular free soft‑play sessions, and guests call Thursday a must for the half‑price meals.

The Black Bull has a cosy indoor pub area with a bar, a spacious beer garden with outdoor games and a children’s play area, and a large function / party room (with its own outdoor area and a second bar) for events.

Portions at The Black Bull are generous, the pub describes its menu as hearty and guests repeatedly praise filling, plentiful dishes like the Sunday roast and party buffets.

Yes, The Black Bull has a spacious beer garden with outdoor games and a dedicated children’s play area, and guests frequently enjoy the garden on sunny days.

Dogs are welcome in the beer garden, The Black Bull describes itself as dog-friendly and guests note enjoying the garden with their dogs.

Casual dress is the guide at The Black Bull, relaxed, comfortable clothes are entirely appropriate for this laid-back community pub.

Yes, The Black Bull welcomes dogs, especially in its beer garden, which the owner description highlights and guests also note as dog‑friendly.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United Kingdom
  3. Essex
  4. Chelmsford
  5. Chelmsford

Make a booking

A photo of The Black Bull restaurant

The Black Bull

4.4
£25 and under
Pub
Chelmsford

Make a booking

2 people
20:00
Experiences are available.
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