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Picture of The Bell
Image posted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Submitted on Sunday, 31st May 2020
With picture contributions to 9749 other pubs
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The Bell, Ashford

Pub added by elizabeth mcgraw
Bell Lane
Smarden
Postal town: Ashford
TN27 8PW
Phone: 01233770283
Correct details

Served areas

Reviews of The Bell (Average Rating: of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Bell Inn

Popular destination Shepherd Neame hostelry, located some distance from the village of Smarden in a hamlet named after the pub. The three rooms along the main frontage - one of which having a bar counter - have been refurbished and set aside for dining, with the traditional Cellar Bar on the car park side being a more convivial place for a drink. There are also some bench tables at the side and two pleasant beer garden areas at the back. Three real ales available from handpump - Master Brew, Spitfire and Early Bird (£3.50).

On 23rd May 2011 - rating: 7
[User has posted 8063 recommendations about 8063 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


. Wittenden left this review about The Bell Inn

This was always going to be a controversial visit: we had n’t been in here since about 2001 or 02, ever since City Boy, a previous landlord, had ruined a family meal by his drunkenness and general boorishness.Prior to his disastrous tenure, I’d been a regular here since at least the mid seventies: at its best , the Smarden Bell had been one of those pubs that you’d have to rush back to, whatever (almost) you’d been doing.
That was then…Nowdays ,it’s a Shep’s pub- a reasonable pint of Late Red was enjoyed. The food was OK, but the portions were small, service was friendly but haphazard. Food led, it no longer seems to have that buzz that successful pubs, both wet and foody, have.Objectively, it’s not a bad “destination” pub-lovely old building, pleasant surroundings, but I wouldn’t be heartbroken if I never returned, which is a pity, as we only live a couple of miles up the road.

On 15th November 2010 - no rating submitted
[User has posted 283 recommendations about 282 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Manky Badger left this review about The Bell Inn

Oh dear. I remember this place in its heyday. I first visited the place in August 1981 and have been back several times over the years. For years it was a place to get good food and good beer. But now – disaster! It's been taken over and is just another Shepherd Neame pub.
Don't get me wrong, Shepherd Neame is good beer, and we had a smashing drop of the mild, but I tend to stay away from Neame pubs. They all do the same beer, and seem to have a corporate policy of not having a guest ale. The serious beer hunter will give a Neame pub a wide berth for this reason – probably half the pubs in the county are Neame pubs and they all do exactly the same half-dozen beers.
Whilst it's in a very scenic location and has a really good garden, it's not what it once was, and is now certainly in last place out of the three Smarden pubs.

On 16th August 2008 - rating: 4
[User has posted 155 recommendations about 154 pubs]

External web links for The Bell

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Pub location see interactive map of local area
Map location corrected by Just a quick pint, then I'm off
Headcorn, 2.71 miles, 52 min walk (show)
Pluckley, 4.21 miles, 1 hr 21 min walk (show)
Staplehurst, 7.41 miles, 2 hr 23 min walk (show)
Latest updates View all updates for The Bell, Smarden
30th May 2023, 21:26
Web Link submitted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off approved
 
30th May 2023, 21:26
Web Link submitted by Just a quick pint, then I'm off

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 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Festivals : No last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Beer Garden : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • CAMRA Discount : No - Discount withdrawn - last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Car Park : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Child Friendly : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Dog Friendly : Yes - In one room only - last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Hot Food : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Live Music : Yes - One Thursday per month - last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Micropub : No last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Real Ale : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • Real Cider : No last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
  • WiFi : Yes last updated 03 February 2017 by ROB Camra
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