The Bell Inn, Aldworth
Quick info
About The Bell Inn, Aldworth
On Bell Lane, The Bell Inn has been run by the same family for over 200 years, brewing its own real ale on site in a shed out back. The bar area is tiny, with a layout that has stayed unchanged, and seating inside sits close together. The menu runs to crusty rolls with a range of fillings, served with crisps and pickles, alongside Parsnip Soup and Mexican Style Chicken, with Mulled Wine and Honey also on offer. It operates on a walk-in basis, with no booking taken. Dogs are welcome throughout. Outside, a beer garden gives room to sit, and a field at the back serves as parking for visitors. The pub opens Tuesday to Sunday and closes on Mondays.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Paid parking lot
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crusty rolls with fillings, home-brewed real ale, pub garden and historic centuries-old building.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crusty rolls with fillings, home-brewed real ale, pub garden and historic centuries-old building.
Customer Review Summary
Crusty rolls with generous fillings draw the most repeat mentions, often paired with real ale, including a bitter reviewers note is brewed on site in a shed out back. Close behind, several describe the food as limited to rolls and simple sandwiches, with one calling it "sandwiches only" and stressing "don't expect fancy food," a trade-off reviewers frame as part of a deliberately unchanged, old-fashioned pub rather than a shortcoming. The beer garden and larger field for parking come up repeatedly as places to sit with a pint, and multiple reviewers mention the pub has been run by the same family for two centuries or more, alongside CAMRA awards and a recent Berkshire pub of the year mention lining the walls. Space is tight, with one reviewer noting diners sit close together indoors. Its position just off the Ridgeway trail is cited often, with one reviewer describing a roughly hour-long detour to and from Goring to visit.
Customer Review Summary
Crusty rolls with generous fillings draw the most repeat mentions, often paired with real ale, including a bitter reviewers note is brewed on site in a shed out back. Close behind, several describe the food as limited to rolls and simple sandwiches, with one calling it "sandwiches only" and stressing "don't expect fancy food," a trade-off reviewers frame as part of a deliberately unchanged, old-fashioned pub rather than a shortcoming. The beer garden and larger field for parking come up repeatedly as places to sit with a pint, and multiple reviewers mention the pub has been run by the same family for two centuries or more, alongside CAMRA awards and a recent Berkshire pub of the year mention lining the walls. Space is tight, with one reviewer noting diners sit close together indoors. Its position just off the Ridgeway trail is cited often, with one reviewer describing a roughly hour-long detour to and from Goring to visit.
Featured reviews
- RobertB
“Pub perfection, exactly how a country pub should be, simple but great food (roll, crisps and pickles), and well served beer. On a summers day there is nowhere better.”
- Peter Dean
“This is an old English country pub which has been run by the same family for 200 years. Good beer, loads of atmosphere and sandwiches only. It's the classic, simple English pub experience so don't expect fancy food.”
- Huw Matthews
“Amazing little country pub, on the Ridgeway route so stop in for a Real Ale or some of the best Crusty Rolls you will ever eat. Huge selection of fillings for the Rolls. There is a huge field at the back of the pub where you can park and the Pub Garden is lovely.”
- Richard Markham
“One the best pubs in the UK. Tiny, hidden and unchanged in decades. Great real ales and simple food. The endless CAMRA awards say it all. Just incredible that anywhere like this still exists.”
- D J W (DogTheFrog)
“Charming old world pub with local ales and a simple but expansive offering of crusty rolls and fillings. The accolades that line the wall to the left of the tiny bar are an accurate reflection of how nice it is to visit this pub. Easy enough to get to if walking the Ridgeway, 35 minute detour off the path, about an hour to/from of Goring, hardest bit is leaving the pub to rejoin the trail!”
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Has great beer selection
- Popular for good for solo dining
Amenities
- Free of charge street parking
- Has outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Serves dine-in
- Serves food at bar
- Casual
Show more amenities
- Serves beer
- Serves food
- Has free water refills
- Serves spirits
- Good for solo dining
- Has toilet
- Parking· 4
- Free parking lot
- Paid parking lot
- Paid street parking
- Plenty of parking
- Offerings· 2
- Serves alcohol
- Serves wine
- Dining options· 1
- Has seating
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Highlights· 1
- Has great beer selection
- Crowd· 2
- Good for groups
- Popular with tourists
Location
Bars near The Bell Inn, Aldworth
- The Butchers Arms4.43229.7 mi away£10–20ReservationsGood for kids
sunday roast, fish platter, outdoor play area
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bell Inn, Aldworth | 4.9741 | — | £10–20 | crusty rolls with fillings, home-brewed real ale, pub garden |
| The Butchers ArmsReservations · Good for kids | 4.4322 | 9.7 mi away | £10–20 | sunday roast, fish platter, outdoor play area |
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