The Black Bull is certainly the elder statesman pub of Wylam, especially considering its lowping stone which is a relic in itself!

We can date this pub back to at least the 1840s, as per a tithe plan which features the pub occupied by Isabella Rowell and owned by George Bedlington. I do suspect that this was a private dwelling well before this though given the extravagant gardens which were attached to the same holding, which are now extinct thanks to development (but attached on the map below).

This pub played an important part of civic functions back when Wylam was much smaller. Given the proximity of multiple collieries, this would be also where loved ones may see their husbands after unfortunate accidents at the pit. I reference multiple cases but one specifically noted is that of 3 people who died due to a boiler explosion. All 3 bodies were held here and identified by sons & wives after such a horrible death. Such provides an emotional root between the people that lived here and the structure that goes well beyond alcohol.

This pub actually remained under the ownership of William Bedlington until he died in 1928. He had a huge portfolio including the White Swan in Ovingham, the Turks Head at Hexham as well as the Halfway House at Prudhoe which all sold his own brew from Ovingham. He lived at the Hermitage, which still exists on the road to Ovingham.

It looks like this one ended up becoming a Blue Star pub, but nowadays retains independence.