Bell Inn
Quick info
About Bell Inn
Bell Inn occupies an ancient coach house building on High Street in Stafford, a pub and restaurant with a snug tucked around the corner from the main bar for anyone who wants to sit away from the barstools. Traditional pub decor carries drawings and photographs of locals across the walls. The kitchen turns out full English breakfast and steaks, while the bar pours a selection of beers including real ales, with coffee alongside. It works on a walk-in basis, so no booking is needed, and the doors open daily. A large garden gives space for outdoor dining in warmer weather, and dogs come welcome. The entrance is step-free, which suits visitors with mobility needs. TVs carry sport, and live music takes over the bar.
Good to know
- ReservationsWalk-in only
- ParkingFree of charge street parking
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales and proper beer, traditional ancient coach house, full english breakfast and steaks cooked medium.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales and proper beer, traditional ancient coach house, full english breakfast and steaks cooked medium.
Customer Review Summary
Beer is the draw that comes up again and again, with drinkers calling it by far the best around and singling out the real ale selection alongside the usual mainstream taps. Close behind is the atmosphere of what several describe simply as a proper pub, an ancient coach house where one visitor felt the ghosts of two hundred years ago in the snug and another praised the coffee. Food earns repeat mentions since it was introduced, a full English breakfast, steaks cooked to the medium requested, and an anniversary meal that regulars called good value, and one night of live music was described as excellent. The recurring complaint is other customers: two reviewers were put off by foul language from a small group, and one notes the landlord said nothing and would stay away for a while. A newcomer also found the barstools ringing the bar meant squeezing between locals to order. Others point to the quirky drawings and photographs of locals on the walls, and the big garden.
Customer Review Summary
Beer is the draw that comes up again and again, with drinkers calling it by far the best around and singling out the real ale selection alongside the usual mainstream taps. Close behind is the atmosphere of what several describe simply as a proper pub, an ancient coach house where one visitor felt the ghosts of two hundred years ago in the snug and another praised the coffee. Food earns repeat mentions since it was introduced, a full English breakfast, steaks cooked to the medium requested, and an anniversary meal that regulars called good value, and one night of live music was described as excellent. The recurring complaint is other customers: two reviewers were put off by foul language from a small group, and one notes the landlord said nothing and would stay away for a while. A newcomer also found the barstools ringing the bar meant squeezing between locals to order. Others point to the quirky drawings and photographs of locals on the walls, and the big garden.
Featured reviews
- Leigh Rogers
“This is my favourite pub in Eccleshall. Beer is by far the best, the atmosphere is lovely, and the staff are friendly. What more could you want?”
- Adele Leigh
“Great pub been going there on and off for years. However, One or 2 of the customers should get their mouths washed out - Unfortunately, the Landlord didn't say anything so wont be visiting again for awhile to listen to that.”
- Jenni - Leigh
“Fantastic pub, so traditional you can almost feel the ghosts of 200 yrs ago sitting in a snug around the corner having a private conversation. It's an ancient building and a real proper pub still. Coffee is fantastic, atmosphere is fantastic and the staff and Landlord and landlady are lovely and so welcoming. It's in a beautiful setting on the high street and very quaint. Tvs always showing sport and a steady stream of drinkers in and out all day long. Open all day and they've just started doing pub food which I look forward to trying. Lovely big garden too.”
- David & Rosemary Connor
“Had a lovely meal to celebrate our wedding anniversary. The lady behind the bar was very friendly & made us most welcome. Lovely food, lovely atmosphere, will visit again soon 👍👍”
- Josephine Loader
“Furst time here, as recommended by a local in the village. Sarah, one of the managers, was exemplary in her welcome, manner and service. Nothing too much trouble. Steaks cooked to perfect medium as asked for. We will call again.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sport
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Free of charge street parking
- Outdoor seating
- Dogs allowed
- Dine-in
- Food at bar
Show more amenities
- Casual
- Beer
- Food
- Spirits
- Live music
- Sport
- Offerings· 3
- Alcohol
- Cocktails
- Wine
- Popular for· 1
- Solo dining
- Accessibility· 1
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Highlights· 3
- Great beer selection
- Great wine list
- Live performances
- Facilities· 1
- Toilet
- Dining options· 1
- Seating
- Atmosphere· 1
- Cosy
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
Location
How Bell Inn compares to nearby bars
- Bell Inn · This shop4.5195 reviews
Mentioned in reviews: real ales and proper beer, traditional ancient coach house, full english breakfast
- 1,433 reviews5.7 mi
Mentioned in reviews: dogs allowed in dining area, sunday roast dinner, log fire atmosphere
- 554 reviews6.5 mi
Mentioned in reviews: steak cooked to request, peppercorn sauce, beef and beer pie
- 75 reviews7.3 mi
Mentioned in reviews: live music and bands, weekend entertainment nights, darts and pool setup
Bell Inn This shop | The Three Crowns | The Tap & Spile | The Prince of Wales Stafford | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.5(195) | 4.4(1,433) | 4.5(554) | 4.3(75) | |
| Price | £ | £20–30 | £10–50 | £1–10 |
| Distance | — | 5.7 mi | 6.5 mi | 7.3 mi |
| Open today |
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How this listing is sourced
- Where the data comes from
- Name, address, hours, contact details, amenities, ratings and review counts come from the business's publicly available profile data — not from the owner and not from paid submissions.
- How it stays current
- Listings are re-checked in batches against their public profile, and anything reported as wrong is corrected at the source rather than patched on the page.
- How it is ranked
- Placement is never sold. Every business on the page is ordered and compared using the same public signals, so an owner cannot pay to move up.
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