Sitting proudly next to the 12th Century Abbey in the heart of the historic, vibrant and charming market town of Malmesbury you'll find The Old Bell, England's oldest hotel. Grade I listed but restored to the height of elegance, glamour and English charm, this family-owned hotel is a romantic haven for lovers of fantastic food, dramatic cocktails and outstanding service.
- England's oldest Hotel
- Individually designed bedrooms
- Easy M4 access
- Garden terrace
- Located in the heart of Malmesbury
- Excellent Rosette Restaurant
Special Offers
The following offers are showing instant availability.
SMTWTFS
Available: Now
Classic Country Getaway
Character Room
Stay in a Character room and receive:
- Glass of Prosecco each on arrival
- 3 course dinner for two each night from the A la carte menu (typical value £40 pp)
- Full English breakfast daily
1 night stay
Package Price: £99 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £198 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
2 night stay
Package Price: £198 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £396 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
3 night stay
Package Price: £297 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £594 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
SMTWTFS
Available: Now
Classic Country Getaway
Classic Room
Stay in a Classic room and receive:
- Glass of Prosecco each on arrival
- 3 course dinner for two each night from the A la carte menu (typical value £40 pp)
- Full English breakfast daily
1 night stay
Package Price: £119 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £238 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
2 night stay
Package Price: £237 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £474 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
3 night stay
Package Price: £351 per person per stay (based on two sharing) £702 per room
- Instant Availability
- Friday & Saturday night premiums will apply
All of the above prices include all taxes / service fees.
* Offers showing provisional availability are subject to confirmation with the hotel and availability is not guaranteed. No funds will be taken from your card until the booking is confirmed, which will usually be within a few hours.
Offers showing instant availability are live and will be confirmed immediately.
Facilities at The Old Bell Hotel
With features dating from 1220, this family run hotel is set in a traditional inn and coach house, only a four minute walk to Malmesbury town center. Seeped in rich history with elegant furnishings and English charm.
Superbly located on the edge of the Cotswolds, within easy reach to Bath or enjoy Malmesbury which has many historical points of interest as well as a thriving high street, Artisan Market, music and arts events.
All the 34 bedrooms are individually designed & furnished with many named after historical figures. Luxury bathrobes & toiletries, 24 hour Room Service, free wifi, Laundry Services and Freeview are provided.
The Refectory and Bar provide a perfect place for relaxing times with drinks and delicious food. Guests also enjoy spending time in our cosy lounge areas perhaps with books, newspapers, light refreshments and in the winter, a roaring fire. On a beautiful day there's nothing better than spending time in the terrace garden.
Good to know
- Hotel check-in time: 3:00 PM
- Hotel check-out time: 11:00 AM
Parking Facilities
There is complimentary parking at the rear of the hotel.
Disabled Access
We want to ensure you enjoy your visit to us regardless of any medical condition, disability, impairment, or learning difficulty. However, as this is known to be the oldest hotel in England, you may wish to give us a call so we can explain the hotel layout.
The hotel does have some ground floor bedrooms, however the bathrooms all have a bath with shower over. Rooms with walk in showers are located on the first floor.
History of the hotel
In 1220 Abbot Loring erected a hostelry for visiting dignitaries to Malmesbury Abbey, then an important and powerful seat of learning. The Old Bell Hotel, nowadays a mix of architecture which is mainly Edwardian, has welcomed guests continuously since then. There are traces of every century throughout the hotel, including a hooded stone fireplace in the Brasserie which dates from 1220. In the later seventh century, the site of the Abbey was chosen by Maildubh, an Irish monk who established a hermitage, teaching local children. Toward the end of his life in the late seventh century the area was conquered by the Saxons. Malmesbury Abbey was founded as a Benedictine Monastery around 676 by the scholar-poet Aldhem, a nephew of King Ine of Wessex. The town of Malmesbury grew round the expanding Abbey and under Alfred the Great was made a burh with an assessment of 12 hides. In AD 941, King Athelstan was buried in Malmesbury Abbey having died in Gloucester in October 939. The choice of Malmesbury over the New Minster in Winchester indicated that the King remained an outsider to the West Saxon court. A mint was founded at the Abbey around this time.
Child Policy
Children are welcome in certain room types, the maximum additional beds in a room is one. Additional charges are applicable.
Dogs Policy
Dogs are welcome in certain rooms, the charge is £25.00 per night. Max 2 dogs per room.
The Rooms at The Old Bell Hotel
Classic room
All three rooms are in the main house on either the first or second floor, they are uniquely decorated and offer king size Hypnos mattresses, shower over a bath, Nespresso machine, safe, fridge, flat screen TV (free channels), complimentary Wi-Fi, parking, 24hrs room service with our night porter team and freshly baked cookies on arrival.
The Old Bell - Classic room
Character room
All five of these rooms are in the main house, are full of character and uniquely decorated. They have stoneware with some exposed original beams and are situated on the first and second floors. King size Hypnos mattresses, shower over a bath, Nespresso machine, safe, fridge, flat screen TV (free channels), complimentary Wi-Fi, parking, 24hrs room service with our night porter team and freshly baked cookies on arrival.
The Old Bell - Character room
The Refectory Restaurant
The Refectory Restaurant boasts an AA Rosette, let talented Head Chef, Frédéric Fetiveau create delicious Modern British food & classics for your guests, choose drinks with drama from our extensive Bar menu with expertly mixed cocktails and hand-picked fine wines and champagnes. On lighter days and summer nights our garden and terrace is a great space to begin your celebrations and even barbecue.
Opening Times
Breakfast:
7am - 10am Monday to Friday
8am - 10.30am Weekends
Lunch:
12pm - 4pm Monday to Saturday
12pm - 3pm Sunday
Dinner:
6.30pm - 9pm daily
Afternoon Tea:
12pm - 6pm daily
The Bar
Enjoy drinks with drama from the extensive range of expertly mixed cocktails, fine wines and champagne by the glass. Plus a wide selection of gins and spirits, hand picked beers & ciders, soft and hot drinks.
Open every day from 11am to 11pm and 11am to midnight on Saturdays only.
Opening Times
Breakfast:
7am - 10am Monday to Friday
8am - 10.30am Weekends
Lunch:
12pm - 4pm Monday to Saturday
12pm - 3pm Sunday
Dinner:
6.30pm - 9pm daily
Afternoon Tea:
12pm - 6pm daily
The Old Bell Hotel Location
Map & Directions
Address
Abbey Row
Malmesbury
Wiltshire
SN16 0BW
There is complimentary parking at the rear of the hotel.
How to get here
Easily reached from Cirencester, Swindon, Bath, Bristol, the Cotswolds and London, just a few minutes drive from junction 17 of the M4.
Enter your postcode to view approximate driving directions to The Old Bell Hotel.
Location & Local Attractions
Experience the historic and glamourous atmosphere in the Grade 1 listed Hotel next door to the stunning 12th Century Abbey in the centre of the historic, vibrant and charming market Town of Malmesbury.
Malmesbury Abbey
The 12th century Abbey dominates the Malmesbury landscape and can be seen from miles around. Here you can see the tomb of King Athelstan, the first King of all England. The Abbey has its own events and services schedule, be sure to call in and see what's happening or visit www.malmesburyabbey.com.
Athelstan Museum
Named after the first King of all England, the Athelstan Museum can be found in Malmesbury Town Hall. With free admission, a visit provides a fantastic insight into the history of Malmesbury. For opening times please visit www.athelstanmuseum.org.uk.
Market Cross
The Market Cross dates back to 1490 and remains a centre for events and gathering in Malmesbury, just as it was intended to be back in its day. Take a seat and watch the world go by.
Abbey House Gardens
Named as one of the world's greatest gardens, Abbey House Gardens is located a short walk from our hotel, through the Abbey Cloisters. The Gardens are open seasonally from the beginning of April until the end of October. The beautiful tulip and rose displays (depending on when you visit) are sights like no other. For admission details please visit www.abbeyhousegardens.co.uk.
The Royal Gardens at Highgrove
Visit the magnificent organic gardens of Highgrove, the private residence of HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, between April and October. Full details can be found at www.highgrovegardens.com.
Westonbirt Arboretum
With 17 miles of stunning woodland paths and an internationally important tree collection, The National Arboretum at Westonbirt is a great place for all ages to explore and also welcomes dogs. Spring sees the spectacular rhododendron, azalea and magnolia displays and Autumn is the time to see the impressive leaf colours. Visit www.forestry.gov.uk/westonbirt for a full list of concerts and events.
Bath Abbey
Enjoy a visit to the UNESCO World Heritage city of Bath and marvel at the amazing architecture of Bath Abbey. Experience its history and immerse yourself in the special atmosphere. For a list of events and service times please visit www.bathabbey.org.
The Old Bell Hotel Reviews
- 30 reviews
- Member since May 2018
Malmesbury, Wiltshire, SN16 0BW
Good hotel but pity about restaurant
The hotel itself was every bit as good as we expected. The room was quiet, spacious and with a lovely view across to the abbey and church. The bed was king sized and comfortable and the bathroom adequate for our needs. Breakfast was fine with plenty of options to suit our tastes. However we were disappointed in the offerings of the restaurant for dinner. We had booked dinner for both nights of our stay as part of our package. The food was of a high quality but to our taste was over elaborate. Several items on the menu (it was the same both nights) had constituents we did not relish but when we requested those items be left out it was not always possible. On the first night we decided to grin and bear it but for the second we asked at reception if the all-day menu would be available to us at 6.30 (the description said till 6pm). We were assured that that would be ok. When we asked at the restaurant we were told that this menu was not available and despite our protesting the maitre D would not budge. However a lunch time menu was available to us (which we thought odd as a menu that had only just finished was not available). In effect we both settled for steak as being the least bad option. I must say that this difficulty with the menu rather marred our otherwise pleasant stay. It would seem that a more flexible attitude or a wider set of menu choices would have made a better impression.
Perfect for short break
We had a lovely time at this hotel. The location was great. We walked and used public transport so we didn t use our car during our stay. The staff were very welcoming, friendly and helpful.
The room we had was huge and we were able to totally relax during our stay. Numerous public lounges with complimentary newspapers and magazines. Good food choices for breakfast and unusual combinations for the evening menu. We tried different dishes and the service in the restaurant was excellent.
Our only very minor criticism is that the wine list was being updated so the options were reduced and whilst there were two different bottles of rose wine I was unable to have rose by the glass.
Wonderful Stay
We had an absolutely wonderful stay here. We were upgraded to the master suite and the ambience was fantastic. So cosy and warm and full of character. We spent the evening in armchairs by the log fire with cocktails before our three course meal. Breakfast was also excellent. The location in the Cotswolds is also great - we went for a lovely walk in the autum woods and had a lot of fun exploring the charming town of Marmsbury and it s beautiful abbey.
Overnight stay.........
Have stayed here before with my husband and dog because our son is with Dyson and moved to this area although not able to move into his new home yet.
Enjoy staying - friendly staff and comfortable room although this last time the kettle in my room did not heat up and as I sleep badly and at home have at least one hot drink in the night I was upset about this. Perhaps the room maids should be told to check that the kettle functions. Stupidly, in settling my account,I forgot to mention the kettle,did not heat! I had left it plugged in on the carpet so I hope the chambermaid realised there was so,dying wrong. The price I paid for my son and three dinners should have ensured the kettle was not a dud!
30 reviews, sorted by Date Rating