The Bell Inn, Devizes

Recently reopened, this large village pub is a former coaching inn built on a hill, the main part set on a level above the road, leaving space for a few cars to park at the front. Given that it isn’t and never was on a main road, and that drovers were more its clientele than merchants, it was the motel of its day, and it still has a bit of a budget feel about it. You enter up a flight of steps to the front door, to find a wooden floored lounge area with a large open fire on the right, while main bar is on the left. The bar is a L-shape, and has a brick-fronted servery, the bricks painted blue, in the centre. There is a small gas fire at the far end and a large chimney breast with an open hearth containing a woodburner. There is a TV screen on the wall in the bar, but this was turned off. Ales on were Wadworth IPA, Doombar and Proper Job, not in the best condition but drinkable anyway. The owners are still finding their feet, so I suspect it will improve over time, but for now I don’t see it as a destination of choice.