The Bell, Reigate

Official site of The Bell - thebellreigate.co.uk

Rather bizarrely, this Greene King pub had the best ale selection of the day, with GKIPA (of course), They had on Ye Olde Trip, their house ale The Bell, Bermuda Joe's (all GreeneKing of course), plus Dark Star Not Into Yoga, Pilgrim Brewery Quench, and Surrey Hills Greensand IPA. It claims to be the oldest pub in Reigate, which is entirely credible as the exterior has the look of a very old pub. Its very narrow frontage belies the overall size of the pub as it goes back a long way. I quite liked the bow window at the front with fairly small lattice glazing and some bullseye windows among them. The bar counter's along the left hand side of the room, with some tall tables/tall stools facing it on the right. We sat near the front by the window where there were banquettes and standard chairs, and which rather unusually had a large map of Surrey on the ceiling. For a Greene King pub the ale selection was good, and after all it was the only Reigate pub that had on a Pilgrim Brewery beer.

The Bell is a long and thin Greene King pub that has the feel of a shop conversion, but I was assured that it isn’t. There is some seating by the entrance before the bar that runs down the left hand wall. A quiz machine can be found at the rear of the pub, as can the toilets and a rear exit that leads to a small paved beer garden. I didn’t spot any televisions or live sport advertisements. The bar is stocked with standard and premium draught products as well as supporting six hand pumps. During my Monday evening visit these were drawing Greene King’s IPA, Old Nutty Hen and Old Golden Hen alongside, Firebird Brewing Company’s No. 79, Hogs Back Brewery’s T.E.A. and Cronx Brewery’s Mad-ass Entire//Chile porter. I didn’t see any menus, but food is available from midday until 15:00 and 18:00 until 21:00. I found the service to be polite, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to visit here again.