Old Bell Hotel

South West England Wiltshire Malmesbury

  • From £195 a night
  • 34 Guest Rooms/4 Townhouses
  • Boutique Hotel

A historic Wiltshire hotel whose contemporary – and quirky – rooms and excellent restaurant are also a great base for The Cotswolds

Visit Website

Get the best rates with no commission when you book direct with our partner

For a hotel that’s rumoured to be one of England’s oldest, The Old Bell does a good job of catering to modern tastes. It’s got a coffee bar in reception, a refined restaurant, and 34 individually designed guest rooms – all with WiFi and Smart TVs. But don’t let the amenities fool you into thinking this place has lost its historic charm. That’s still here in spades. You’ll see it in the Grade I-listed walls, the 13th-century fireplace in the bar and the exposed beams of some of the bedrooms. A full-scale design-led renovation may have introduced quirks, colour and bold patterns, but all are somehow at ease with the 800 years of hospitality that came before. And that’s really saying something, when a giraffe in the entrance hall is one of the first things you see when you get here.

All the communal spaces and bedrooms at The Old Bell are designed and dressed with similar confidence and flair. Characterful heritage features sit alongside a mixture of antiques, modern pieces and designer wallpaper, with warm lighting that sets it all aglow. Everywhere is inviting and interesting, from the three cosy guest lounges to your private en-suite room.

As might be expected from a building that's evolved over centuries, there’s no standard size or shape to the bedrooms. Instead, you have a wide choice, from the spacious Junior Master Suites overlooking neighbouring Malmesbury Abbey to the Cosy Rooms of the Coach House. There are even four Townhouse Suites – self-catering cottages a few minutes' walk down the road sleeping two to five guests. Back in the main hotel, there are single rooms, family rooms and dogs are welcome in many rooms – and receive a luxury fur bed, bowls and treats. Whichever you choose, you’ll find British-made Bramley toiletries, Wiltshire-roasted coffee for your cafetiere and a Dyson hairdryer – which incidentally, is based right here in Malmesbury.

This commitment to quality and community continues in the hotel’s Abbey Row Restaurant, which serves a tasty breakfast and has menus featuring local produce for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. If you’re here for a night, there’s no need to go anywhere else. Stay for longer, and you may want to try elsewhere in town. That won’t take long, because you’re in the heart of it. The hotel was originally built for visitors to Malmesbury Abbey, which stands next door and houses the tomb of England’s first king, Athelstan. That’s got to be worth a look. Likewise, the small Athelstan Museum reveals more of Malmesbury’s past. Nowadays, this place is just as likely to be used as a base from which to explore the Cotswolds, with Highgrove Gardens, Westonbirt Arboretum and the Cotswolds Water Park all within 10 miles.

Make Enquiry

Get in touch with our partner directly

Details

Open

Open all year.

Pricing

Double rooms from £195 a night

Why Book Direct?

With Cool Places you pay no commission or booking fees. Cool Places links you directly to the property owner, so you always know that you are getting the best prices.

  • You’ll get the best rates, avoiding hefty fees and hidden costs
  • You’ll deal direct with the business or property owner who can answer all your questions
  • You’ll get the flexibility to tailor your trip, free from the restrictions of other booking platforms
  • You’ll be supporting independent UK businesses and the passionate people behind them

Visit Website

Get the best rates with no commission when you book direct with our partner

Location

Contact Website  01666 822 344  Old Bell Hotel, Abbey Row, Malmesbury, Wiltshire SN16 0BW

Show Map

Getting There

Leave the M4 at junction 16 and use the A3102 (towards Royal Wootton Bassett) and the B4042 to reach Malmesbury. This will take you into the heart of the town and the High Street. When you reach a T junction, turn left on to Gloucester Street and you won't miss The Old Bell Hotel on your right after a short distance. There is parking for guests at the back of the hotel. Take the first right after the hotel.

Features

  • 24hr reception
  • Afternoon Tea
  • Bar
  • Coffee/Tea Facilities
  • Family Rooms
  • Gardens & Grounds
  • Gym
  • Hairdryer
  • Iron & Board
  • Parking
  • Restaurant
  • Room Service
  • Smart TV
  • Wifi

Looking For...

  • Dog-Friendly
  • Family Friendly
  • Historic

As featured in

200 Hotels: Britain's Coolest Hotels and B&Bs

From sumptuous country houses and five-star hotels to boutique city boltholes and funky guesthouses to classic coaching inns, trust the latest Cool Places guide to find your perfect UK place to stay.

Buy the Book

Related Guides

See Hotels in Wiltshire

Reviews

Be the first to leave a review!

Add Your Review

List Your Property

Do you have a Cool Place you'd like to tell us about?

Join Cool Places

Other Cool Places near Old Bell Hotel

What Customers say about Cool Places

Everything I needed for a stay

I'm already looking forward to going again and would highly recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the area. It definitely deserves a five star rating!

Nathan, Verified Customer

6 out of 5!!!!

This place was amazing… I could not recommend this place enough, I’ll be singing their praise for many years to come and we are going to book again soon.

Barbara, Verified Customer

Easy to navigate

Great site that offers a really broad range of places to stay across the UK. Easy to navigate and book holidays.

Patrick, Verified Customer

Such a great variety of properties

Found this website when looking to book a staycation for later in the year. Such a great variety of properties and the website is really easy to use. Already shared with my family and friends.

CT, Verified Customer

Great, simple, straightforward

Great, simple and straightforward. I will definitely be using Cool Places again.

SM, Verified Customer