Alicja McCarthy

The Olde Bell

  • Where:
  • Why:A mini getaway.
  • When:March 2014
  • Who:Me & my beau.
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The Olde Bell The dining areas are large, wooden and simple. Big old oak tables, simple glassware, offering paired down elegance.

The dining areas are large, wooden and simple. Big old oak tables, simple glassware, offering paired down elegance.

The Olde Bell The re-invented English inn saw a recent facelift thanks to Isle Crawford (think Soho House NY & Grand Hotel Stockholm), including restored wooden floors, original windows and simple Shaker-style furniture.

The re-invented English inn saw a recent facelift thanks to Isle Crawford (think Soho House NY & Grand Hotel Stockholm), including restored wooden floors, original windows and simple Shaker-style furniture.

The Olde Bell This beast of comfort was handmade and a dream to sleep in. The great big cotton pillows and lambs wool blankets added an <br data-src=

This beast of comfort was handmade and a dream to sleep in. The great big cotton pillows and lambs wool blankets added an
extra cosy effect.

The Olde Bell An impressive and immaculate white bathroom with a large walk-in shower. The Olde Bell is famed for their roll-top baths, so ask in advance if you want one. Our luck was out!

An impressive and immaculate white bathroom with a large walk-in shower. The Olde Bell is famed for their roll-top baths, so ask in advance if you want one. Our luck was out!

The Olde Bell Yup, dog parking. They have that in Hurley.

Yup, dog parking. They have that in Hurley.

The Olde Bell I love the illustrated graphics on their website and printed literature - full of ye olde charm.

I love the illustrated graphics on their website and printed literature - full of ye olde charm.

The Olde Bell Hurley is a tiny village, with little else to do but walk, read and drink, so they provide you with the means.

Hurley is a tiny village, with little else to do but walk, read and drink, so they provide you with the means.

The Olde Bell The prettiest goat cheese salad in Berkshire. The young shallots and crunchy celery were a little too feisty for me though.

The prettiest goat cheese salad in Berkshire. The young shallots and crunchy celery were a little too feisty for me though.

The Olde Bell A proper locals pub with its ye-olde-world charm thanks to the low beams, stone floor and irregular furniture.

A proper locals pub with its ye-olde-world charm thanks to the low beams, stone floor and irregular furniture.

The Olde Bell The pretty facade of The Olde Bell. They first opened those doors <br data-src=

The pretty facade of The Olde Bell. They first opened those doors
in 1135 AD!

Highs & Lows

  • The location is beautiful and sleepy, close to the Thames in the picturesque village of Hurley.

  • The rooms are simple, charming and comfortable.

  • The beds are superb. So big!

  • Staff are a little too laid back, lacking in the warmth you’d expect from an inn.

  • The building is old... very, very old so expect strange noises and bumps in the night.

The Barometer

  • Design

  • Website

  • Environmental Consciousness

  • Night's Sleep

  • Service

  • Amenities

  • Takeable Treats

  • Refer a Friend

  • Overall Value

  • Life Changing

Total: 41/50

Important Bits

  • Type

    High-end English Inn. Simple, unassuming and cosy.

  • Vibe

    Local, quiet and casual.

  • Location

    Five miles from either Marlow or Henley and an hour drive from London. The Olde Bell resides in a sleepy village with little in the form of entertainment, though.

  • Rooms

    55

  • Music

    Not really.

  • Year Opened

    1135 AD

  • Designed By

    Isle Crawford (Soho House NY & Grand Hotel Stockholm)

  • Health & Wellness

    No, but they do provide wellies & bikes for wandering around the country.

  • Restaurant

    Yes, rustic British fare.

  • Bar

    Yes, good old country local pub.

  • Children

    Yes, they accommodate families.

  • Price

    Chic experience at a good value.

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