The Bell Inn Charlbury

I can't conceive why this would be a four-star rating overall! This place is fantastic -> here's why: Hotel * We have spent 2 weeks in the UK and this hotel & restaurant was by far the best value & experience based on similar "pub style" hotels. * The simple room we booked was small but delightful. In typical Daylesford style, the decor is fabulous, everything is comfortable, clean, and feels bespoke. (The robes are a fantastic touch) * I can not overstate how clean, warm, and well-designed the space was. After staying in many similar places with old carpet, outdated bathrooms, and lumpy pillows this place is a gem. It was the first place we stayed and still at the top of the heap! * The price was a great deal for what we got. Restaurant *Come hungry! Breakfast is lovely and worth every pound. Local food and prepared perfectly! * Dinner was our favorite Gastropub meal of them all (and we had many). Every dish was delightful and surprising. I felt we were getting a much better meal than we even expected. *While it may seem trite, their french fries/chips are the best I've had in ages (the last best was at a Thomas Keller restaurant in Miami - yeah, they're that good) *The small bites are great - love the bread and olives - and the pasta main was outstanding. * All of the servers (evening & morning) were lovely and the staff in general were kind, helpful and accommodating. We felt cared for <3 While the city is small, this is a great base for exploring the Cotswolds and I can not recommend it enough. We stayed at their sister property the Wild Rabbit, but I have to say the Bell is equally as good (and the restaurant better for what you get). Cheers to them on a 1 year anniversary and I hope they have many more wonderful years ahead!!

Overall, we had a good stay in Charlbury. The pub was refurbished last year and it's beautiful. We had a fabulous evening meal - I think it was worth the money - I had humous and flatbread to start, cod and gnocchi in a pea sauce and a frangipani tart for pud. Breakfast too was good for a pub. Dining spaces are a bit small and we were a bit sad as a couple to be put in a tiny room dominated by one other large family table. When we arrived, we’d been told by Helen we would be able to eat outside on the terrace (it was a very hot evening) but the waitress said this wasn't possible. There was a party in the garden in the evening and it was locked (though empty) the following day so we didn't get to enjoy that. We did book last minute, which also meant we could just book for Saturday night rather than the obligatory whole weekend which turned about to be a good thing! Given the beautiful pictures on the website and the price, £327 for one night (including breakfast), I was expecting so much more of our "Classic" room, "Teasel", and I would recommend avoiding this if you're staying. I think the Bell should reconsider their pricing structure - this room cannot be considered more than "Cosy", it was in the eves with restricted head height and so minimal usable floor space (of which there was very little anyway beyond the bed). It didn't have proper windows (just roof-lights so we unable to see any view) and I certainly think you should be forewarned about this - I wouldn't knowingly book a room without windows! There was no wardrobe (just an alcove with a curtain) or chest of drawers which would have been an issue if staying longer and we would not have wanted to stay another night in this room. We certainly didn't see any evidence of "antique pieces" or "vintage fabrics" spoken of on the website. The shower room was also tiny but very attractive, with lovely smellies. The village is pretty and the surrounding countryside beautiful and we did 2 very long walks on the 2 days we were there, "Charlbury No.1 (Wychwood) " and "Charlbury No.2 (Oxon Way) ". Helen was lovely when we arrived, and I would have spoken to her about the room if I could. I did have a chat with the lady on reception when we left, and she said my comments on the room were helpful feedback - I hope they’re acted on!

This was our second visit to The Bell in beautiful Charlbury. Having visited in May for a fabulous Sunday Lunch with family, we returned in August for an overnight stay, dinner bed and breakfast before heading to Blenheim Palace the following day. From the moment my husband and I arrived the staff could not have been more charming. Our room was located on the second floor overlooking the rear terrace with complementary Bamford products and Daylesford biscuits. Dinner was the right blend of casual chic with delicious ingredients forming a curated menu. Every course delicious with great wines and cocktails to match!! We had pre drinks on the front terrace and coffee on the rear. What struck us was how peaceful it was. We were already fans of the Wild Rabbit in Kingham and Fox at Lower Oddington - also in the Daylesford Group. Now The Bell joins our list of places we love and look forward to returning to! Thank you for a simply lovely stay. You are our new happy place!

We went as a family with children for a meal. We waited over 40 minutes between starters and main course ! Not ideal with children. The vegetarian menu was basic and uninspiring. Overpriced for what you get. My local in the midlands is better. Lives on its reputation Would not recommend

My mum (a Charlbury resident for over 50 years) took my uncle and aunt for lunch as a treat. The food was very poor and overpriced. A very limited menu is fine if it means that everything is done well, but it wasn't. Lots of mash or pasta on the plate, but a tiny piece of hake and 4 bits of asparagus and a smear of hollandaise on the asparagus starter. Chicken Kieve overcooked and dry. Very poor value and disappointing. We know the Bell well (I was housekeeper or receptionist over countless holidays when at school/college) - it sounds like they have spent a fortune on the place, but have sadly neglected the food.

We had lunch and drinks here, so cant comment on the hotel. The food was absolutely delicious! I had the agnolotti and tiramisu. Cosy surroundings with armchairs and roaring fires. Great service and lovely accomodating staff too. Could have stayed all day, would def come for dinner or drinks again!

We had a great stay at the Bell for a few nights recently. Our room was very spacious with a huge bathroom, and a large very comfortable bed. Everything was top-notch, including the selection of teas/coffee (with fresh milk provided), daylesford cookies, and toiletries. Appreciated the mineral water (restocked daily). Breakfast was very good and the coffee served was excellent! Friendly and helpful staff.

Despite having not visited The Bell before, we recommended it to friends who wished to celebrate my birthday. They'd travelled from West Sussex to the Cotswolds for that purpose. Expecting the hospitality to reflect the obviously expensive makeover, it didn't. Inexperienced and poorly trained staff, food average. A disappointment and embarrassing having recommended it in the first place. E.g. Irish coffees delivered in mugs (we don't have enough glasses) A brandy in whisky glass with a dozen ice cubes!!! Not what one would expect from Lady Bamford. Obviously will not be returning

Our second visit, this time for dinner. The menu hadn't really changed from the previous visit with still a very limited choice for vegetarians and fish lovers. Starters: Butternut Squash soup was very good as was the Roasted Heritage beetroot and Shell on Prawns. Deep fried devilled whitebait we over-cooked and some were burnt. Mains: Tasteless Penne (£16.00), very good House Beef Burger and fries, and Cornish Fish Pie with virtually no fish and mainly potato (£19.00). Reasonable service but when the bill came a bottle of wine, that we had not ordered was on it (£46.00). This was removed from the final one. Luckily we had checked. Good cosy ambience but until the menu changes and there are more veggie and fish options we won't be hurrying back. Kindly take note.

*Please note The Bell in Charlbury has recently been completely renovated by Daylesford (Carole Bamford). Any review on Tripadvisor poor to Sept 17th 2023 should be ignored. I visited on Sunday 01st October for Sunday lunch. The staff were very helpful with plenty of members on hand to serve you, the food was superb, and the whole interior design is absolutely top notch. This is went another great pub by Daylesford. Overall we had a really enjoyable & relaxing lunch, I would thoroughly recommend. Will definitely be back soon.