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
- ParkingFree of charge street parking · Free parking lot · Paid parking lot
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Menu & Prices
4 dishes- Parsnip Soup
- Mexican Style Chicken
- Mulled Wine
- Honey
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crusty rolls with fillings, real ales, pub garden and CAMRA awards.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention crusty rolls with fillings, real ales, pub garden and CAMRA awards.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the crusty rolls, praising the huge selection of fillings and generous portions, and several note that the rolls are essentially the whole food menu, with crisps and pickles on the side. Close behind is the real ale, with diners calling out a fine bitter brewed in a shed out the back and some ales brewed by the owner. Many describe a very old, quirky brick building that has stayed unchanged for decades, run by the same family for generations, with a landlord and staff described as welcoming and friendly. The garden and the field behind the pub draw praise, and walkers on the Ridgeway mention it as a stop, with one saying the hardest part is leaving to rejoin the trail. The awards on the wall and the CAMRA recognition come up repeatedly. The only trade-offs are practical: one reviewer warns not to expect fancy food, and another notes that inside, seating is close to other customers. One reviewer sums up the visit as a roll, crisps and pickles with a well served pint on a summer's day.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often come for the crusty rolls, praising the huge selection of fillings and generous portions, and several note that the rolls are essentially the whole food menu, with crisps and pickles on the side. Close behind is the real ale, with diners calling out a fine bitter brewed in a shed out the back and some ales brewed by the owner. Many describe a very old, quirky brick building that has stayed unchanged for decades, run by the same family for generations, with a landlord and staff described as welcoming and friendly. The garden and the field behind the pub draw praise, and walkers on the Ridgeway mention it as a stop, with one saying the hardest part is leaving to rejoin the trail. The awards on the wall and the CAMRA recognition come up repeatedly. The only trade-offs are practical: one reviewer warns not to expect fancy food, and another notes that inside, seating is close to other customers. One reviewer sums up the visit as a roll, crisps and pickles with a well served pint on a summer's day.
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 Hartley Arms4.72988.8 mi away
sunday roast, steak, riverside pub garden
- Crooked Billet Stoke Row4.76049.1 mi away£30–80ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast, mussels in tomato sauce, live music nights
- The Lock Stock & Barrel, Newbury4.11,9199.4 mi awayWheelchair accessible
canal-side setting, cauliflower bhaji burger, real ale
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Bell Inn, Aldworth | 4.9741 | — | £10–20 | crusty rolls with fillings, real ales, pub garden |
| The Hartley Arms | 4.7298 | 8.8 mi away | — | sunday roast, steak, riverside pub garden |
| Crooked Billet Stoke RowReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7604 | 9.1 mi away | £30–80 | sunday roast, mussels in tomato sauce, live music nights |
| The Lock Stock & Barrel, NewburyWheelchair accessible | 4.11,919 | 9.4 mi away | — | canal-side setting, cauliflower bhaji burger, real ale |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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