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Disappointment of the week with Tris39
on the Pub Forum
Detail Pages
Bell Inn, Thetford
Thetford
IP24 2AZ
Pub Type
Old English Inns (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 5 of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve C 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 14th January 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 5231 recommendations about 5199 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 2nd August 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8086 recommendations about 8086 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 22nd February 2008
- rating: 5
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]