Отель The Old Bell в Малмезбери: старейший гостиничный дом Англии с тики-баром и жирафетом

Hotel Review: The Old Bell Hotel, Malmesbury - See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred Source Step inside The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury and you will immediately think… 'If only the walls could talk'. Claiming to be the oldest hotel in England, The Old Bell Hotel was built way back in 1220 and has continuously housed guests ever since. With a provenance like that you might be imagining dusty antiques and stuffy old rooms but the hotel’s décor is charm-personified. Overstuffed couches, cute reading nooks and a sunny street terrace give the place a lived-in-and-loved atmosphere, but don’t be fooled, look closely and you can see that this place has been meticulously designed with every attention to detail by American co-owner Kim Hanks and London based interior designer Charlotte Smiley. You might be imagining dusty antiques in old rooms but the hotel’s décor is charm-personified Rooms and facilities Situated right next to the Abbey and a two-minute walk to the local high street, the hotel operates both individually designed rooms and seven chic townhouse suites along Abbey Row. Our two-bedroom town house is a real home-from-home. That is if my home was a beautifully styled, cosy but spacious, interior-designed bolthole that has all the mod cons, including Smeg appliances and rainwater showers, and the perfect layout! 52B Abbey Row has a cosy snug as well as a living room (with breath-taking views across Malmesbury), two bedrooms and two bathrooms (one ensuite). The eclectic furniture, hand-crafted wallpaper and heritage paint colours, plus roll-top-bath and Bramley products gave us all the five star feels with the bonus of a completely self-catered kitchen if you fancy a cosy night in. Food and drink Despite our amazing self-catering accommodation, we decided to have a ‘mum and dad’ night off cooking as we have managed to escape without the grown-up kids, so we strolled over the road to the main hotel for dinner. We opted for a full three courses in the restaurant, where the hyper-seasonal menu is stuffed with locally sourced products, some of which are grown at the nearby gardens of Abbey House Manor. Fun fact for Xers. Abbey House Manor was once owned by Naked Gardeners Ian and Barbara Pollard who featured on BBC’s Gardeners World in the 90s and were famous for gardening in the nude. We started with Pan Seared Scallops, Cauliflower, Hazelnut and Brown Butter (£20) which were melt-in-the-mouth delicious and Confit Pork Shoulder Doughnut, (£15) which might sound a bit odd, but my husband assured me was top notch! For mains we went for Pan-fried Sea Bass with Courgette, Potato, Shellfish and Saffron broth (£26) and Marinated Bavette Steak with Triple Cooked Chips, Confit Tomato, Portobello Mushrooms and Chimichurri (£26), both excellent and all washed down with a bottle of Cotes de Provence Rose, Cuvee Constance, South France (£38). We couldn’t manage a dessert each, but we did share a Hot Sticky Malt Pudding with Toffee Sauce and Malt Ice Cream (£8) which we ended up fighting over and a Cheese Board with Celery, quince, frozen grapes and Fudge’s Biscuits (£14) before we retired, stuffed to the brim, to the Tiki at Tyger Bar. Hotel Highlights Yes, you heard that right! The Old Bell Hotel has its very own Tiki Bar. This fun island-inspired escape is the perfect way to finish a well spent night. Grass skirt lampshades, carved totem pillars and great tunes, plus a cheeky Dragon Margarita (£14) is the perfect way to end the night. And that isn’t the only quirky detail! The Texan husband and wife owners, Kim and Whit Hanks love a conversation starter. A life-size faux giraffe named Janet greets all guests, before they get to reception in the tiled hallway where dancing monkeys swing around the bar! What to do nearby Take your pooch or just your two-legged friend for a 2.4 mile river walk around the outskirts of Malmesbury’s branch of the River Avon. Feel free to borrow The Old Bell’s cheery yellow wellies from the hall if the weather has been wet. Pass by Conygre (meaning where the rabbits live) Pond, the 13th Century Avon Mills, Turtle Bridge and finish up at the Abbey before hitting the pub. The King’s Arms is a great pitstop for tapas (Salt & Pepper Squid, £8.50, Za’Atar Halloumi fries, £7.00 and mixed olives, £5.50) and a pint of Wiltshire Gold, whilst enjoying the views across the rolling hills of Malmesbury. If the gentleman in your life needs some new threads stop by Aethelstans Gentleman’s Outfitters which will kit out even the fussiest of husbands with a nice new Fedora. Plus, if you can’t walk past a florist like me, Persephone Violet has a plant for all budgets. I took home a lovely Monkey Monstera for only £8. If you want to go for a quick drive, the Cotswold market town of Tetbury, famous for its royal connections (Highgrove is easily accessible) is just a fifteen-minute drive away. This bustling High Street is stuffed with a treasure trove of independent shops and antique emporiums. Drop in to see antique dealer and TV personality Drew Pritchard at his showroom to hear the stories behind his unusual finds. If you are a fashion lover like me then Constantine Rex is a must. Unfortunately, all I could do was peer through the window past the fabulous Versace trousers as it was closed, but I am currently stalking a pair of YSL Balloon pants online. Best for A cheeky weekend away with or without kids but do take the dog as the walks are stunning! Rooms start from £164 per night. For more information, please visit oldbellhotel.co.uk