Show Gallery (2 images) Add to Favourites

The Olde Bell

UK England South East England Berkshire Maidenhead

Tucked down a cul-de-sac between Marlow and Henley, the village of Hurley is the Thames-side bolthole of many a stockbroker’s daydream, all weathered Tudor piles and weeping willows. At its heart, this 12th-century coaching inn was originally refurbished in 2010 by design maven Ilse Crawford, and its rooms, which are spread across 5 buildings – the main inn, plus assorted barns and a malthouse – have recently received a fresh lick of paint. They have king-sized beds, Ercol rocking chairs, freestanding baths, good wifi, flatscreen TVs and tea and coffee.The beams sag and the floorboards are wonky but it all adds to the homely atmosphere. Downstairs a crackling fire warms a proper pub bar and beyond it a handsome restaurant looks out through leaded windows onto clipped lawns, a kitchen garden and a tennis court. Apart from the raucous parakeets in the trees, it would be hard to imagine a more English scene, which you can also enjoy on the local ‘Willow Walk’, which loops for 5 miles along a lovely stretch of the Thames through ivy-draped woodland.