It’s happened again. England’s oldest hotel has been crowned the best in Wiltshire for the third year on the trot. When we’re looking for a luxury getaway that doesn’t take hours to get to, The Old Bell Hotel is always our first pick – balancing an 800-year history with unique and stylish interiors.
Only slightly outside of the Cotswolds in Malmesbury, The Old Bell Hotel is roughly a 45-minute drive from Bristol. It opened its doors in 1220 at about the same time as King Henry III’s coronation and when Genghis Khan was uniting feuding Mongol clans under his leadership. Back then, it was mostly used as a guest house for visiting monks to the neighbouring Malmesbury Abbey.
Today, the hotel is as strong as ever, maybe even stronger. In 2021, owners Kim Hanks and her husband, renowned antiques dealer and collector, Whit Hanks gave it a top-to-toe refurbishment. Quirky antiques and treasures, from the owners’ travels around the globe, flood the hotel – yet despite its eccentric interiors, The Old Bell Hotel retains much of its original charm. It’s for this reason it was voted Best Hotel in Wiltshire in the Muddy Stilettos Regional Awards 2024.
“We are completely thrilled. Our team work so hard to make The Old Bell Hotel the jewel that it is, and this recognition means so much,” said Kim Hanks, Co-Owner of The Old Bell Hotel. “Being an important part of this incredible community in this beautiful and historical town is what matters most to us and so the votes of our regulars is a great sign that we are doing our job well.”
The hotel boasts 34 individually designed bedrooms, as well as two bar concepts – the 1220 bar and the terraced aviary-like Tyger Bar. There is also the brand new Garden Room and courtyard, which is described as “perfect for private parties, weddings and events.” You can also dine at the onsite restaurant, Abbey Row – keeping with the quirky design, the ceiling features 8,000 hand-painted gold stars!
Headed up by chef Daniel Kerr, Abbey Row’s hyper-seasonal menu relies heavily on local ingredients. Daniel works directly with The Old Bell Hotel’s gardeners who grow much of the kitchen’s produce from their sister property, the stunning kitchen garden at Abbey House Manor – we recommend keeping an eye out for open days for the five-acre garden.
A single room at The Old Bell Hotel will set you back £175 for a single night, while two of you can sleep in a ‘cosy room’ for £205 – there are package deals that include breakfast and dinner too. For families, book a Townhouse Suite starting from £300 per night. To visit the restaurant or book a stay at England’s oldest hotel, head to The Old Bell Hotel here.
Find The Old Bell Hotel at Abbey Row, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0BW.