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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by Quinno _
Submitted on Thursday, 28th March 2024
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Detail Pages
The Five Bells, Swindon
Royal Wootton Bassett
Postal town: Swindon
SN4 7BD
Served areas
Reviews of The Five Bells (Average Rating: 9 of 10) see review guidelines
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 1337 recommendations about 1323 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 3281 recommendations about 3246 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Quinno _ left this review about The Five Bells
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.
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 20th February 2014
- rating: 9
[User has posted 5072 recommendations about 5055 pubs]
View more reviews of The Five Bells (6)
No known official website for this pub.
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Five Bells - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 21 September 2022 by E TA
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- Car Park : Yes - Spaces for 3 to 4 cars - last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Child Friendly : Yes last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Darts : Yes last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 21 September 2022 by E TA
- Function Room : No last updated 21 September 2022 by E TA
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- Jukebox : No last updated 21 September 2022 by E TA
- Karaoke : No last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Micropub : No last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Pinball : No last updated 17 February 2014 by Quinno _
- Pool Table : No last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 29 July 2013 by Dave McNally
- Real Cider : No last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
- WiFi : Yes - BT wifi - last updated 16 August 2015 by Jonathan Wilde
