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The Five Bells, Swindon
Royal Wootton Bassett
Postal town: Swindon
SN4 7BD
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
Quinno _ left this review about The Five Bells
Almost ten years to the day since my last visit. Unfortunately the place was rammed and I was forced into standing in the COVID-upgraded garden. I did note that there appeared to have been an application of gloomy paint inside, as it felt less homely than I recall. Six cask on, though the bar blockers stopped me from gaining easy access; in the end my Dartmoor Legend was fine (NBSS 3 - slightly green). Worth the perennial GBG spot but not seen at its best this time.
February 2014
Lucky enough to get back here for a decent session, arriving just after opening on a Sunday. The interior seems to be a bit brighter than I recall from previous but has lost none of its homely character; lit fires, leather chairs, half wood panelling and comfy banquettes in the front bar. Range of ales still there too: Butcombe Bitter, London Pride, Fullers Bengal Lancer, Moorhouse Black Cat, Black Sheep and St Austell Proper Job. All good on the ale front (we did the lot bar Pride), though the Black Cat I think was nearing the end of the barrel. Old Rosie cider also available. Girls behind the bar very friendly and chatty, as were the locals. Checked out the rear room which had an unusable dart board (behind tables). Dominoes and papers also available. A forthcoming pickled onion contest was advertised – don’t see many of those. Food was offered and seemed to be selling well (pity the staff dealing Mrs H.Bucket and her entourage that turned up). Good sized covered rear patio for the smokers. An enjoyable visit and well-worth the short drive off the M4 to sample. Could have stayed all day, really. Rated 9
December 2009
Just off the main High Street lies the best pub in Wootton Bassett, according to numerous editions of the Good Beer Guide. A thatched building which looks attractive but the interior is a fair bit more modern than you’d expect. It is at least still split into two rooms with a roaring fire on the go in each. A nice atmosphere inside and the pub was busy despite it being a dismal and dark weekday evening. Five pumps with London Pride, Black Sheep and, fantastically, O’ Hanlons Yellowhammer which was (joyously) in exceptionally good form. This seemed like a nice little community pub; the availability and high quality of one of my favourite ales means I’ve got to give the place a lofty mark. Rated 8.
On 25th April 2024
- rating: 8
[User has posted 5107 recommendations about 5090 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Ian Mapp left this review about The Five Bells
Its this sort of place that justifies the Good Beer Guide. Its off the main high street - so unless you were looking for it, you'd be likely to miss it.
Set next to the rear of the church, its a thatched cottage at the end of a terrace. Inside are a couple of rooms around a central bar. Decent sized beer garden viewed through the back window.
Tradition pub decor/furnishings, with a low roof and a real fire in the front room. Sunday at 1pm and I could only find seating at the last remaining bar stool, meaning I got in the way of future orders and bill payment.
Still, it was prime spot to look at the bar back (with Cotswold Ales illuminated, reminding me of Skol in Soho's Coach and Horses) and to see the 5/6 cask ales on that included Bass, Oakham Citra, Uley Old Spot and Tribute. Bass a regular ale on.
20+ consecutive years in the GBG by the same family. Well justified in my opinion.
A fine boozer.
On 10th January 2023
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1344 recommendations about 1330 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Five Bells
What lucky find – I just happened to park here while visiting a friend who lives nearby and wandered in for a beer as I was leaving. Glad I did, but what a pity I was driving as I’d like to have stayed a bit longer. It’s as described by others, below. There is a warm local feel to it, prices are reasonable and the beer is excellent. I also liked the fact that tables have reserved times on them rather than just a blanket ‘reserved’ sign, so you can sit there but know when you have to leave. Even the improvised mixer tap in the gents’ raised a smile. Ales on were Otter Ale, Black Sheep Best, Pride, Maverick’s California Golden Ale, Animal’s Hop Hound, and Abbott. Old Rosie was also on draft. There are several CAMRA POTY certificates on the wall, which seem well-deserved. A really enjoyable visit which I hope to repeat soon.
On 16th December 2022
- rating: 9
[User has posted 3289 recommendations about 3254 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Soup Dragon left this review about The Five Bells
A cream rendered cottage style thatched corner pub, with patio and beer garden. In the GBG 2010.
The interior is a little more modern than the outside would have you believe. There was two rooms, with the front, main room, in white and wood panel with some plumy patterned wallpaper, beams and brick fireplace. The smaller room had Sky TV. The main room served as a bar and dinig area, and although we didn't eat, the food did look good. The decoration on the walls had some local maps and aerial photographs and the background music was quiet. The service was functional, but the clientele seemed to be local, friendly and it was very busy.
Beer; tap stuff with a very good Butcombe Gold Bitter, as well as the untried Doombar, Black Sheep and London Pride on handpull.
This is a nice place and worthy of its GBG status. I would definately return.
On 27th April 2010
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 3067 recommendations about 3062 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Alan Winfield left this review about The Five Bells
The Five Bells is a lovely looking thatched pub that is just off the high street.
There were two rooms inside and i went in the rooom at the front this was quite nice and comfortable,there was a decent choice of beers on the bar with four real ales on i had a drink of Youngs bitter and this was quite a nice drink the other beers were Hook Norton Old Hookey,Hancocks HB and London Pride.
I thought this was a really nice pub and i was quite happy having a drink here.
Pub visited 8/7/2006
On 8th July 2006
- rating: 8
[User has posted 6113 recommendations about 6113 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
alec dixon left this review about The Five Bells
This is the best establishment in Bassett. They sort out all our alcoholic needs and serve an extended variation of booze and food. You can even sit in the garden in the winter thanks to their gas fires and shelter. Only down side is they have not barred that gaydi pierce yet, but hopefully that will soon be rectified. All in all, fair play to the bells a definite and solid five.
On 21st January 2005
- rating: 10
[User has posted 1 recommendations about 1 pubs]