The Old Bull was first referred to as the Black Bull in 1520, several years before the English reformation, in an inquisition Post Mortem on the death of Richard Gery, who was the owner. It has provided overnight accommodation throughout its history.

In the Eighteenth century The Royston Club meeting rooms were taken down from the Red Lion and re-erected as Assembly rooms at The Old Bull, which then became Royston's main venue for ceremonial celebrations, including the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria.

Kingston records show that the Magistrates petty sessions were held at the Old Bull. When the new court houses were built in 1849, they were ordered to transfer but resisted on the grounds that the new county court would be less comfortable and not at all more convenient than the room at the Bull.