The Bell

Hotels
8.1 (230 reviews)
broadway road , Ilminster , gb

Facilities

Offsite parking discounted rates available
Non-smoking rooms
Restaurant
Pets allowed
Non-smoking throughout
Free wired internet
Self parking (surcharge)
Offsite parking discounted rates available
Internet access
Japanese garden
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Friendly staff
Great breakfast
Cons:
Shower issues
Communication difficulties

Categories

Cleanliness
8.04
Many mentions of clean rooms and facilities, yet some reviews indicated minor aspects needing attention.
Service
8.51
Consistently positive comments about staff friendliness and helpful service.
Location
7.85
Described as suitable but mentioned proximity to a construction site which was a minor issue.
Room Quality
7.8
Most rooms described as comfortable; however, few reports of concerns with room features.
Amenities
8.03
Amenities generally viewed positively, although there was mention of minor concerns with a shower.
Value for Money
8.09
Positive feedback on value for the price, particularly regarding meals and lodging.
Food and Beverage
8.44
Strong positive sentiments regarding food quality, particularly breakfast.
Overall Experience
8.01
Overall satisfaction noted, despite some issues cited in reviews.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2026-01-09 06:19

Property Description

Convenient Location:
Situated near popular attractions like Golden Cap and Dinosaurland Fossil Museum.

Comfortable Accommodation:
Rooms equipped with a desk, flat-screen TV, and modern amenities.

Delicious Dining Options:
Enjoy a variety of breakfast options including continental, Full English/Irish, and vegetarian.

Contact us now to book your stay at The Bell and experience a perfect blend of comfort and convenience during your visit to Ilminster!

Important information:

This property does not accommodate bachelor(ette) or similar parties.

Check-in and check-out hours:
Check-out: 11:00 AM

Location

Guest Reviews

8.1
Based on 230 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.04
Service: 8.51
Location: 7.85
Room Quality: 7.8
Amenities: 8.03
Value for Money: 8.09
Food and Beverage: 8.44
Overall Experience: 8.01
J
jayne couple gb
8
Pros:

Great location, lovely looking pub and good food. Small rooms but comfortable and clean.

2026-03-28 via Nuitee
D
Dave solo_traveller gb
10
Excellent room (bed/shower top class) that always matters but the food both evening and breakfast are exceptional. L
Pros:

Everything - staff, room and food were all excellent 👏👏 I will certainly be returning.

Cons:

Not a thing

2026-03-25 via Nuitee
P
Philip couple es
2
Tiny ilequiped room.
Pros:

The room was very clean and staff were friendly.

Cons:

The room was ridiculous. It had two beds and a dining room chair. There was no wardrobe, only 4 small hooks to hang clothes. There was no storage, no chest of drawers, nor a dressing table.
The room was not serviced on the second day of our stay, and towels were only provided at the third time of asking.

2026-03-18 via Nuitee
G
Gary couple gb
8
2026-03-13 via Nuitee
L
Lynda family_with_children gb
10
The Bell is a great find and will definitely be back
Pros:

We loved the beautiful pub and was easy to find close to the main road. We were welcomed with friendly staff and our meal and drinks fantastic. After a good night’s sleep and hot shower we had a really tasty breakfast.

Cons:

The room is quite small but exactly how it is described on the site.

2026-03-11 via Nuitee
J
Julie solo_traveller gb
8
2026-03-01 via Nuitee
M
Matthew couple gb
6
Read the other reviews and take note!
Pros:

Great for a one-night-stopover.

Cons:

Whilst Booking.com said Pets were included and no additional charge, we we charged £10 for our dog at check-in.
Bed and pillows weren't the most comfortable. We heard every noise from our neighbours throughout the night. Bit odd having the shower in full view of the rest of the room. Plus, we ordered our breakfast at vheck-in, only to be told in the morning that they were unaware of our order.
All of the above has been previously mentioned on r3views. Perhaps we should have listened.

2026-02-27 via Nuitee
D
Diego solo_traveller be
9
2026-02-27 via Nuitee
M
marie couple gb
10
Made to feel welcome
Pros:

It was very cosy and very friendly

2026-02-23 via Nuitee
A
Andy couple gb
9
Working in ilminster
Pros:

Lovely little pub in village location, i will always stay here when in the area, well run by isa and the young staff serving great food and breakfast

2026-01-29 via Nuitee
W
Waine solo_traveller gb
8
A pleasant stay
Pros:

Good, clean accommodation, helpful, friendly staff. Breakfast was included.

Cons:

Would have liked more options for continental breakfast.

2026-01-28 via Nuitee
J
Jack solo_traveller gb
6
Great pub, small but comfortable rooms, terrible breakfast.
Pros:

Room was ok albeit it small and extremely warm however there was a heatwave on so bar a fan there's not much that could be done about that. Evening staff were exceptional, welcoming and friendly with great food and drink.

Cons:

Breakfast quality and service was poor. Booked for 7.30 which was earliest option but pub was still shut at this time so myself and others were sat waiting outside. Eventually someone unlocked the door but it wasn't opened and we weren't greeted. Everyone sat down but it was probably around 8.00am by the time "breakfast" was served. Breakfast consisted of 1 sausage, 1 bacon, fried egg, half a tomato, some dried mushrooms and a pot of beans. There was toast and continental available, no butter available and when I asked the lady in the kitchen for some she didn't even respond with words but did eventually return with butter. Breakfast was a real shame and a complete contrast to the service and quality the night before. I hate leaving poor feedback and rarely ever do but I feel it's something the owners would like to know as they made great efforts to get everything else right.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
A
Aliaon solo_traveller gb
9
Cosy pub with everything you could want
Pros:

The cosy bar /restaurant area and staff were great. The food was excellent.

Cons:

The angle of the bed in the twin room felt a bit strange but it was otherwise lovely and all that we needed.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
F
frances couple gb
3
Disappointing and would like a partial refund
Pros:

Beautiful building

Cons:

View of building site, tiny room
No breakfast at 8am
Noisy repair work whilst we were there .

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
L
Lisa couple gb
10
Value for money , prompt service, lovely breakfast
Pros:

The location was perfect for our visit.
The room was clean with new bathroom.
The room was comfortable.
Service was swift pleasant and professional

Cons:

Nothing particularly was a problem, asked for 2 more pillows, same provided promptly.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
P
Paul solo_traveller gb
7
Nice people and location but it needs more attention in different areas
Pros:

Afternoon/evening staff are very friendly and the pizzas are fantastic

Cons:

Rooms need some sound proofing due to snoring of other guests.
Breakfast was horrible didn’t eat it not enough staff/and or training issues

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
J
Joanna solo_traveller gb
8
Gorgeous Pub and top notch food.
Pros:

The most gorgeous pub I have been in for a long time. Amazing food and hugely welcoming bar staff. Rural village and easy to get to in a car.

Cons:

Sadly my room had a really annoying constant buzz all evening. It disappeared later on so may have been an extractor fan or something. Great shower and incredibly clean. Personally I would have appreciated a breakfast menu to pick from rather than just answering if I want a cooked breakfast.

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
J
Jo extended_group gb
4
Pros:

The room did seem clean.

Cons:

Breakfast was pretty poor, especially if you didn't want a cooked breakfast - very limited options. Cheap yoghurt, sliced bread, hardly any choice of spreads. Had to try quite hard just to get a cup of tea. Nothing felt fresh. Bench seating was quite uncomfortable.
Rooms were less pleasant than the pictures from the website, no character. Weird to have shower in the room. Noisy. Very few plug sockets, tv was hard to use.
Food in the evening was poor - I had fairly bland overpriced veg curry, my friends had a particularly poor experience with their order which was missing half the things advertised on the menu. Ice cream was very low quality.
All just felt very budget, though it was advertised as something more special, and would have rather stayed in a travelodge in the end (for less).

2026-01-19 via Nuitee
J
Joanne couple gb
7
2026-01-19 via Nuitee
M
Melanie solo_traveller gb
10
Excellent. I would stay there again
Pros:

It was easy to find. Thw staff were very helpful and friendly. The room was lovely with everything you would need.
Breakfast was very good and there was plenty of choice

Cons:

Nothing

2026-01-19 via Nuitee