Get a taste of village life at The Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill
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All good villages need a good pub, and that's certainly the case in Horndon-on-the-Hill.
Life in this quaint Essex village has revolved around The Bell Inn for centuries, and luckily for us non-residents, outsiders are welcomed just as warmly as the locals.
The Bell - a charming 15th Century coaching inn - is much more than just a pub. Full of history, it serves up award-winning gourmet meals and has stayed true to its roots, providing travellers with a place to rest their weary heads. In fact, it's one of the Great Inns of Britain - and has the membership details to prove it, not to mention a raft of awards and recommendations from the likes of Alastair Sawday.
The inn has been run by the same family for more than 70 years and when I checked in on a warm summer's evening, it was packed to the (ancient) rafters. Some were enjoying a drink in the beautifully-decorated outdoor area, but most were there to sample The Bell's fine food, which has a reputation for miles around.
Others, like me, were keen to check out the 15 individually designed bedrooms - some of which start from as little as £50 a night. Many of the rooms are located at The Bell's sister property, Hill House, which is where guests also enjoy breakfast, but my room was at the inn itself so after collecting my keys at the bar, I crept up a creaking staircase to the luxurious Lady Hamilton Suite.
The room, like all the others, was named after a famous historical mistress and my madam, who had a fling with Admiral Lord Nelson, had fittingly inspired a nautical theme. Patriotic shades of red, white and blue were everywhere, alongside whitewashed timber beams, naval portraits and porthole-style mirrors.
There was a separate TV area with squishy sofa and plenty of rustic-looking storage space, not to mention the huge roll-top tub in the bathroom, encased by anchor-print wallpaper. The focal point of the room, though, was the whopping great bed topped off with a sign to remind patrons that, in the words of Nelson himself, ‘England expects every man will do his duty'.
Downstairs, in the bustling bar, guests can peruse blackboard menus and sample a wide selection of real ales and fine wines. But the main attraction for many is the restaurant, which is loved by locals and travellers alike.
Menus changes on a daily basis but usually feature big, bold flavours. The award-winning chefs place a huge emphasis on local produce, too, and Essex meats are often the order of the day. On average, a three-course meal will set you back £35 a head (before drinks) and after enjoying an evening in the character-packed restaurant, I can safely say it's worth every penny.
Thanks to its first-rate food and The Bell's idyllic location - just a 45-minute drive from London - it's the perfect place to spend a weekend. Book your break now before the secret gets out...
High Road , Horndon-on-the-Hill, UK
Contact tel: +44 (0)1375 642463
Cost double room with en suite: £60 - £100 per night
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The Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill
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