The Old Bell Hotel

Hotels
9 (1308 reviews)
Abbey Row, Malmesbury , Malmesbury , GB
+44 1666 822344

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Free
Children allowed

Facilities

WiFi available
Parking
Free Parking
Non-smoking rooms
24-hour front desk
Restaurant
Room service
Heating
Terrace
Family rooms
See all facilities

Review Highlights

Pros:
Great location
Friendly staff
Excellent breakfast
Beautiful hotel
Quirky design
Cons:
Overpriced for facilities
Old furnishings
Dirty carpets
High drink prices

Categories

Cleanliness
8.46
Some comments indicated issues with maintenance, such as battered paintwork and dirty carpets.
Service
9.43
Consistently praised for being friendly and attentive.
Location
9.47
Highlighted as very good and within a charming area.
Room Quality
8.42
Some rooms were noted as slightly uncomfortable with old furnishings.
Amenities
8.95
Good amenities, though drinks were remarked as expensive.
Value for Money
8.41
Several reviews indicated that it felt overpriced for certain facilities.
Food and Beverage
9.46
Excellent food quality noted; breakfast and meals received high praise.
Overall Experience
9.43
General sentiment reflected enjoyment and comfort during stay.
* This sentiment is summarized by AI based on user reviews.
Updated at: 2025-12-20 02:08

Property Description

Historic Charm and Character
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the rich history of England's oldest purpose-built hotel. From log fires to period furniture, every corner exudes historic charm.

Prime Location
Nestled next to the famous Abbey in Malmesbury, and conveniently located near the Cotswolds and M4 motorway, The Old Bell offers the perfect base for exploring the picturesque surroundings.

Unique Room Experience
Individually furnished rooms provide a blend of traditional elegance and modern comfort. Whether you prefer a cozy, period-style room in the main house or a light-filled retreat in the Coach House, each accommodation is a unique experience in itself.

Experience quintessential English hospitality at The Old Bell. Book your stay now for an unforgettable getaway.

Important information:

Please note that the following rooms are located on upper-level floors:
- Double Room - Character
- A unit of 'Deluxe Double Room'
A deposit may be required at the property.

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

Location

Guest Reviews

9
Based on 1308 reviews
Cleanliness: 8.46
Service: 9.43
Location: 9.47
Room Quality: 8.42
Amenities: 8.95
Value for Money: 8.41
Food and Beverage: 9.46
Overall Experience: 9.43
J
Janet • couple • gb
10
Very comfortable hotel with very friendly helpful staff.
2026-10-17 • via Nuitee
K
kate • couple • gb
8
2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
M
Martyn • solo_traveller • gb
10
A great stay
Pros:

It was a very pleasant stay, great room, facilities, staff and location

2026-10-15 • via Nuitee
I
Isam • couple • sa
8
2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
A
Alyson • couple • gb
10
Fab stay near the abbey
Pros:

Fab place to stay, decor outstanding.
We were upgraded and to be honest, i didn't want to go home!
Very peaceful, nothing was too much trouble for the staff.
Extremely comfortable.
Bar area was very nice, very welcoming.
Breakfast excellent.
Parking was actually ok, which was a surprise given the position of the hotel

Cons:

Nothing

2026-10-13 • via Nuitee
S
Serena • couple • it
9
2026-10-12 • via Nuitee
I
Isabelle • couple • gb
2
Very disappointing
Pros:

The staff were l understanding when we checked out a night early (no follow up, apologies, refund or compensation though).

Cons:

We had a really disappointing stay at the hotel and left after one night (had booked and paid for two).

The room was incredibly noisy and we could hear the generator all night, as well as everything that went on in neighbouring bedrooms, including conversations, light switches and loos flushing. The room also smelt damp and musty.

Our view looked over the car park (we weren’t surprised by this as we’d booked one of the smaller, cheaper rooms), which ironically was full so we had to park elsewhere in the town. The mattress was also incredibly soft - we actually thought it was a water bed initially because the whole bed moved when we sat down (neither of us are particularly large).

The breakfast looked great but the muffin for my Eggs Benedict was cold and untoasted.
I also expected it to be sliced in half, not served whole with an egg and sauce plonked on top).

Unfortunately, the hotel’s charm and quality just didn’t live up to expectations. A shame as it has a fascinating history. The owners’ link to Malmesbury (which is heavily promoted on the website) doesn’t make up for their lack of understanding as to what makes an enjoyable guest experience.

2026-10-10 • via Nuitee
J
jo • solo_traveller • gb
7
Nice stay
Pros:

Eclectic design. Lovely sitting areas

Cons:

Breakfast portions differed a lot from one day to the next.

2026-10-07 • via Nuitee
G
Greg • couple • gb
9
Pros:

Great food and lovely accommodation

2026-09-19 • via Nuitee
E
eleonora • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
E
eleonora • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-18 • via Nuitee
J
Julie • couple • gb
6
Could do much better with more staff
Pros:

Location

Cons:

Poor service

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
W
William • couple • gb
8
A pleasant stay in a comfortable hotel
Pros:

Room was very comfortable, well decorated and well appointed. The hotel location in the centre of Malmesbury was excellent.

Cons:

The mirror in the bathroom over the washbasin was small, in a corner and not lit making shaving and putting on makeup awkward. While the food at breakfast was very good with an extensive choice the service of the non buffet items such as tea, coffee, toast was rather poor with items forgotten or long waits. Staff were pleasant but they needed to be more alert.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
R
Rutherford • solo_traveller • us
10
Felt Like Luxury
Pros:

We booked townhouse 19B and couldn't be more pleased. It is BIG, beautifully decorated, and definitely more like home than an overnight accommodation.
The staff are lovely, the location less than 150 steps from Abbey and the High Street.

Cons:

The upstairs TV wouldn't turn OFF off. The bright splash screen stayed on all night.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
R
Richard • couple • gb
6
Disappointing stay from previously.
Pros:

Location of property. Reception staff. Decor of public rooms.

Cons:

Service at breakfast, when hot food came on Saturday and Sunday not what we ordered. Breakfast room preferred other room when we previously stayed. Bathroom shower dangerous with intermittent scolding water. Curtain not fitted right. Shaving mirror in bathroom light did not work. Room generally looked shabby, flaking paint on bathroom ceiling. Perhaps it requires a senior manager to walk around the property without rose coloured glasses! To see the flaking rendering on some buildings and knocks and bumps that need to be attended to reestablish the high standard your website professes.

2026-09-14 • via Nuitee
E
Emma • couple • gb
9
Exceptional staff and beautiful property, outstanding food.
Pros:

Beautifully decorated, clean and comfortable.

2026-09-13 • via Nuitee
H
Hemalatha • solo_traveller • in
9
Pros:

Almost everything. Special mention about the staffs. Very helpful and lovely people. The rooms and views were gorgeous.

Cons:

iThe toilet seats were little spotty , may be it looked like that because of it's black colour. Not sure. Everything else was perfect.

2026-09-12 • via Nuitee
C
Claudinne • solo_traveller • gb
10
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
J
James • solo_traveller • gb
9
2026-09-10 • via Nuitee
C
Caio • extended_group • pt
10
Fantastic stay in the Cotswolds
Pros:

It was a fantastic stay in the cottage in the same street. It was super spacious and tasteful decorated, with very comfortable beds, included an outdoor space (which is fantastic for those with pets).

2026-09-09 • via Nuitee