Driving between Stonehenge and Bath, we saw The Bell as we rounded a corner and quickly pulled in!…read more Good thing no one was following too close. A good deal of parking is available to the left and the right of the car park entrance off the side road. There is a cute, welcoming, garden you can see from the parking lot, and the bar/restaurant entrance is on the left. There is also a picnic style table by the main entrance that was occupied when we arrived.
Inside it was busy! Quite a few parties, large and small in two dining rooms. Only a couple of tables were left, set for a crowd larger than ours. We opted instead of a large table, to sit in the bar area. Usually this is a 'self serve' area - decide what you want on the menu, and order at the bar. As we were unable to sit in one of the dining rooms, the waitress came to us which I thought was very nice considering the crowd they already had. By the time we left, there were three other small parties in the bar area with waitress service. Busy day indeed!
The bar area was occupied by a couple of small groups who seemed to be lingering over a pot of tea and conversation. Clearly this pub is a favorite in the area.
We placed a drink order which was delivered right away while we took our time reviewing the menu. I had asked for a wine recommendation, and the glass of red I received was quite good. With lots of pub favorites and a few dishes I'd never heard of, it was just the sort of place we were hoping to find. The bar was very well stocked with several beers on tap as well as bottles. Soft drinks and mixers lined the walls behind the bar as well as several liquors and wines. Even though busy, the staff continued to smile, help each other out, and were right on top of things.
I started with mushrooms on toast. Because I'd never had it, and I like both mushrooms, and toast. It was actually a nice, 'homey' sort of dish and just what it says: mushrooms in gravy on top of a piece of toast. I very much enjoyed it and if you are up for a light snack I can recommend this. Next up for me was a steak and ale pie. This dish is jam packed with meat and the gravy on the side a nice addition. Probably more food than was good for me to eat; it was tasty, and to say the least, filling. The fries were also nice and the salad just enough to wash it all down.
My fave got a steak and Stilton open faced sandwich. Because he loves steak and he never met a cheese he didn't like, so this was a no-brainer. Along with fries, and a sampling of the on tap beers, and he was one happy camper. I really like the assortment of single serve sauces that were placed on the table instead of a large communal squeeze bottle.
The bar area (and I believe one of the dining rooms) is on ground level so wheelchairs, strollers, persons with canes, etc will have no trouble getting inside. A handicapped restroom is located just by the entrance along with a baby changing station. This restaurant also has Sunday dinner weekly according to their sign which states 'Sunday Carvery'.
I can definitely see how a small party would be great in one of the dining rooms or in the garden. The bar area has a TV with a sofa and comfy chair in front of the fireplace and a number of tables. All very cozy, with a large bay window to let in the light. I would definitely come back.
