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Detail Pages
The Old Bell, Rye
Rye
TN31 7EN
Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Steve of N21 left this review about The Old Bell
It advertises itself as the oldest pub in Rye and who am I to argue. What is without doubt is that it is another of Rye’s establishments that date back to the 15th century.
It’s quite a small space internally and was clearly two small rooms back in the day, but now knocked through into one bar room. Both the old public and saloon door entrances were open during the day but then only the saloon door, next to the small raised outside area with the few metal tables, was used in the evenings.
It’s all dark wood, with a low beamed ceiling, heavy wooden floor and substantial internal beams, one with an impressive collection of coins pushed into it.
It very much focusses on the tourist trade and functions more as a restaurant at lunchtime and early evening with all internal tables reserved for dining. Then late evening it seemed a popular hangout for students for some reason.
There are 2 ale pumps on the bar with the obligatory Harvey Sussex best and something badged as Old Bell Pale, which wasn’t actually too bad.
I found it all a bit dark and noisy inside of an evening (especially when the students started braying), and wouldn’t contemplate a return unless it was a fine weather evening and I could get one of the exterior metal tables to sit at
On 4th September 2023
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2111 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Old Blue left this review about Ye Olde Belle
This is apparently the oldest pub in Rye, one of several dating from the 15th century, and retains a lot of character. There are two doors at the front, labelled ‘Public Bar’ and ‘Private Bar’, and though some of the internal division between the two areas remains, these doors are blocked off and one enters via the door at the corner.
There are two hand pumps – one with Harvey’s and one unoccupied on our visit, plus a fairly standard keg selection. It was a fairly quiet Friday afternoon, but it felt welcoming, was serving food (presumably does all day) and the ‘dish of the day for a fiver’ offer yielded a very enjoyable ham, egg, chips and peas. Various events were advertised, including a open mic night the next day on behalf of Help for Heroes.
I liked this pub, and would go again, provided I hadn’t already got bored with Harvey’s Best, which is all too easy to do in the area. I’d like it a lot more if it had a choice of ales.
On 11th March 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 271 recommendations about 270 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C left this review about Ye Olde Belle
There is a sign up outside this pub informing the readers that this is the oldest pub in Rye, which didn't surprise me. The owners/managers seem to have put a lot of effort into the pub which was the reason I was so surprised when I walked in at the lack of other customers. The reason soon became apparent as the barman was playing a loud game of darts with a mate of his and the dance music didn't really suit the surroundings. Fortunately after about 15 minutes this friend left and the pub actually became very enjoyable.
I was very happy to tuck into the well kept Pride, but I didn't try the Harveys as I was getting a bit sick of it as every pub seemed to sell it. There was also a selection of standard lagers available.
The pub had a feel like the parents had gone away and left their son in charge, but as I said, the general ambience of the pub vastly improved as the night went on – it may have been the beer though.
On 27th March 2009
- rating: 7
[User has posted 5251 recommendations about 5219 pubs]