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Submitted on Thursday, 21^st May 2020
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Bell Inn, Thetford

King Street
Thetford
IP24 2AZ

Phone: 01842754455

Correct details

Pub Type

Old English Inns (Greene King)

Served areas

Thetford Town

Reviews of Bell Inn (Average Rating: 5 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Strongers . left this review about Bell Inn

The Bell Inn is a large Greene King Old English Inns hotel that includes 46 en suite rooms. Drinks are served in Pike’s Bar that is a small and thin rectangular area to the right of the main entrance. The bar counter faces seating that runs along the front windows and to the right is a small sunken seating area separated from the bar area by a large chimney breast and fireplace. The bar supports standard and premium keg and two of the three hand pumps were in use drawing Greene King IPA and Rocking Rudolph. Food is available, the burgers are priced at £12.50. The service was polite, but I probably wouldn’t use this bar even if I was staying at the hotel.

On 14^th January 2023 - rating: 4
[User has posted 5965 recommendations about 5931 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

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

Substantial Greene King inn, with parts dating back to the 15th century, but now extended by a much more modern accommodation block. The main bar is in the old part, and a little character has managed to survive the various refurbishments over the centuries. However, on this visit, many of the customers were out in the open, sitting at the courtyard tables. Disappointingly, just IPA (£3.49) and Abbot available from the four handpumps, but at least the quality of the former was as good as it gets.

On 2^nd August 2020 - rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Roger Button left this review about The Bell Hotel

This 15th Century coaching inn has now expanded a bit with a few modern additions but the core still retains plenty of its old character even though it is a rather dull place for anything more than a quick pint. The bar consists of a single room bar that is semi divided by a brick fireplace. Plenty of old beams (note the old calling bells) and pillars remind you of the buildings age but somehow the place just doesn't conspire to feel particularly interesting in a way that such an old building should. The décor and furnishings are a bit depressing and despite a few old East Anglia maps and military bits and pieces (Thetford doubled up for Walmington on Sea in Dad's Army and the cast were based here during filming) there is nothing that really catches the eye. Being Green King country, this is naturally an IPA / Abbot stronghold however the Abbott was off on my trip and the IPA just about drinkable. Not much in the way of atmosphere – a sedate and civilised hotel bar feel with virtually inaudible music. The most interesting feature (as any Thetford guide will tell you) is the outside corner post with its numerous iron nails banged into the wood, a legacy of this being where the public proclamations were posted in the days before Teletext and Sky News. By the look of the overhang, there have been a few scrapes with the local Lorries over the years as well. The pub also claims to be of the UK's most haunted sites so keep an eye on your glass. Overall, a bit disappointing given the alluring nature of the building from the street.

On 22^nd February 2008 - rating: 5
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]

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