The Bell Inn, Shepperton

There are two drinking areas at the front of the pub (once separate rooms of course) connected by an archway. The area on the right is the smaller of the two, and may once have been the public bar. These areas are carpeted and are furnished with a couple of settles, but mainly with standard tables and chairs, and of course the obligatory tall stools at the bar. Wall décor is largely framed photographs of well known actors and actresses; presumably those who worked at the nearby Shepperton Studios at one time or another. The ceiling beams have pewter/copper/brass jugs hanging from them, as well as horse brasses affixed to them. I did spot a TV on one of the walls, but switched off in favour of the radio station being played. A third room at the back is clearly a more modern addition. This one is bare-boarded with light coloured modern boarding, and is furnished with light pine tables and chairs, giving it a more light and modern look than the original and more traditional rooms at the front with their dark wood fittings. There is a garden behind the pub, as well as a couple of benches at the front. Hanging baskets at the front also add to the pub’s appeal. The ales on were London Pride and Well’s Eagle. The bar on the left also had a pump with a Young’s Bitter clip reverse, as well as a fourth pump apparently unused. The smaller room on the right also had its own set of handpumps, but with the same two ales on when I visited. A Cask Marque sign was displayed. Food was clearly available (condiments and place mats on some tables, plus one couple still eating) when I was in on Wednesday afternoon, but there were no menus on the tables. The place mats got removed soon after 2.00 PM, so I guess that’s when they stopped serving lunch. I rather like this pub. It’s comfortable and the service was friendly and efficient – my arrival at the bar was acknowledged even though the barmaid (landlady?) couldn’t serve me immediately. Negative points for me were the radio playing (although I accept that some might like to listen to banal banter and pop music with their lunch), and paying £4 for a pint of standard 3.6% ordinary bitter like Wells Eagle. But overall I wouldn’t mind visiting again.

Official site of The Bell Inn - www.the-bell-shepperton.co.uk

Official site of The Bell Inn - www.the-bell-shepperton.co.uk

Small suburban local on back road truncated by motorway. Two rooms, with the smaller (ex public bar?) area still boasting a dartboard. Visited on a Sunday lunch, when the larger room was laid up for dining, with few drinkers. Pleasant enough but nothing to write home about. Ales of the usual guest variety and could have been better, despite cask marque.