The Eight Bells, Aylesbury

Official site of The Eight Bells - www.8bellspub.com

Official site of The Eight Bells - www.8bellspub.com

After a fruitless stroll up the Bicester Road to find that the Angel Inn was a restaurant and The Gurkha Tavern is no more the day was saved by The Eight Bells back on the picturesque High Street. This 16th Century Inn has obviously seen many changes over the years, but still retains the charm and character of a village pub. Originally built in 1607 as an inn, and initially called the Five Bells, in keeping at that time with the number of bells in the church tower, it apparently changed its name to the Eight Bells in 1771 when three more bells were added to the Church. Internally it has an unspoilt cottage style interior, with lots of original dark beams and white washed walls, tiled floors, old benches and a brick fireplace, with a little alcove dedicated to the local morris-men. And then out back is a large well-manicured and planted secluded pub which would infer someone has green fingers. All very nice, but for the Ale drinker the best is yet to come from this pub that has featured every year in the Good Beer Guide since 2007 and won the CAMRA Regional Pub Of The Year award for Aylesbury Vale and Wycombe district in 2011. Initially only two hand pumps on the bar which dispense the regular ales of the House ale ‘Hel's Bells’ and XT Four from the Brewery up the road, but then the back of the bar has been knocked through to allow six barrels to be on stillage with three available and another three settling. These included offerings from the Tring Brewery and the Chiltern Brewery. The couple I tried were well kept and the XT4 was spot on. There is a decent looking food menu, but I wasn’t here for that , so cannot pass comment.

Probably our favorite pub ever, we go at the very least once a week sometimes three times! Reasonably priced and excellently kept real ales with a good variety of choice - Not to mention brilliant festivals with Hog roasts. Great food, I had the best burger I have ever tasted (Angus @ under a tenner). Friendly landlady, bar staff and pub dog - Lovely fire in the winter, the best beer garden around for miles & easy to park. 10 out of 10 :)

Comfortable village pub with a small and a large drinking/dining area.one regular and two rotating real ales on.