The Bell, East Molesey

Situated in the residential back streets of East Molesey, is The Bell, a pub that, for fairly obvious reasons, is known as The Crooked House, although those of us who have visited the much better known pub of that name in The West Midlands, might find The Bell a bit of a poor relation in the crookedness department. Outside, we learn that The Bell dates from “circa 1460”. On the roof, we see a statue of a Naval Officer on the top of a weathervane looking through a spyglass and, inside the pub, we learn that this originally stood on the Parish Church opposite and represented the vicar looking for his congregation. We also learn that the famous 18th Century highwayman, Claude Duval, once used the pub as a hiding place from The Bow Street Runners. The pub interior is very much what we’d expect from an old country pub – plenty of old wooden beams, low ceilings, exposed brickwork etc. There’s also plenty of nooks and crannies and different areas with connecting corridors and passages. Naturally, everything seems to be at an angle. A large garden at the back has a childrens play area. On my recent Sunday afternoon visit, the sunny weather had brought people out in droves, mainly families with the usual gooby kids called Wayne or Jason running around and making a nuisance of themselves. The pub is part of the Punch Taverns portfolio. Pleasingly, apart from the usual large sized menus, there is little of the usual Punch Taverns chain pub feel. A blackboard by the bar told me that Black Sheep, Tribute and Marstons EPA were available but it transpired that, of those three, only the latter was actually on. Also on however, were Pride, Courage Directors and Courage Best. This is a cosy and attractive pub and you should seek it out if you get the opportunity.

What an unusual pub to find in the backstreets of East Molesy. Looking at the exterior you might be forgiven for thinking that it is likely to fall down at any time. There’s not a right angle anywhere, and reminds me of the old “Ripley’s Believe It Or Not” building, or at least something out of a theme park. Inside it’s everything that a country pub should be. The layout is impossible to describe as it meanders in an out of all manner of nooks and crannies and separate drinking areas, connected by small doorways or archways. The ceilings and most of the walls are that mottled nicotine colour that you see so rarely these days. There are what look like some pretty ancient wooden beams, some with muskets adorning them. I sat in an area where there was an attractive exposed brickwork fireplace. Furnishings are a traditional mix of settles and normal tables and chairs. There were four real ales on – Courage Best, GKIPA, Old Speckled Hen, and Tribute. The Tribute was fine, and at the reasonable price of £3 a pint. This is a Punch Pubco pub, so the food is the usual pubco stuff. But there were a fair number of diners when I was in during a Friday lunchtime, so they must be doing something right on the culinary side of things. I suppose that pubs like this are ten a penny in the countryside, but finding one anywhere near London is a bit of a result. The ale selection is not outstanding, but there is a reasonable choice and I enjoyed my pint of Tribute. In my view this is a pub of real character, and I would be very happy to pay a return visit.

This could be a truly wonderful pub - sadly it isn't. Not sure if there has been a change of management but the food does not live up to the menu and the beer is not always best kept.