Cosy Cotswolds Hospitality at The Bell at Charlbury – Review

You just can’t beat an indulgent weekend in the Cotswolds. And now Daylesford Stays is offering us a whole new raft of cosy, country-chic pubs to choose from in the region – including all-new destination The Bell at Charlbury, a snug and stylish bolthole with excellent food and an organic wine menu. 

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Hotel Review – The Bell at Charlbury 

A pub since the 17th century, The Bell is at the heart of the picture-perfect market town of Charlbury, which is just a stone’s throw (and a 20 min drive) away from the Daylesford Organic mothership with its farm shop and cafe, and luxurious Bamford boutique and spa. 

It joins The Wild Rabbit, The Fox at Oddington and The Cottages as part of the just-opened Daylesford Stays, a series of thoughtfully restored pubs and hideaways scattered across the Cotswolds. A fourth pub, The Three Horseshoes near Burford, is being refurbished and will reopen in 2024.

STAY 

The Bell at Charlbury has been painstakingly reimagined for the 21st century, while retaining its original heritage and charm. The restoration has created 12 cosy, comfortable bedrooms, beautifully kitted out with the best of Bamford, plus several snug areas, a courtyard for dining, an additional eating and gathering space in The Barn, and a garden that promises long, lazy summer afternoons.

The bedroom interiors combine comfort with intricate details, ranging from hand -locked wallpaper made in Oxfordshire, to fourposter beds built from Daylesford Estate wood. The design was heavily inspired by the history of The Bell itself. Original materials have been sympathetically restored, and local and recycled materials were introduced during construction to minimise the impact on the environment, with the bar crafted using ash also from Daylesford Estate. Fabrics from Nila, a charitable organisation dedicated to honouring and preserving natural dye and handloom traditions of rural India, have been used throughout.

DO 

You’ll be surrounded by things to do at The Bell: visit nearby Blenheim Palace; walk the historic Cotswolds Way; or catch some unexpected wildlife (including giraffes, zebras and lions) at Cotswold Wildlife Park. You can check out our full guide to what to do in the Cotswolds in autumn here. You can also stay within the family, and head to nearby Daylesford Organic for a cookery class, a massage, or to stock up on the best gifts, homeware and fashion. 

EAT

At the heart of The Bell is its delicious menu of pub favourites, featuring seasonal, locally grown ingredients. The heritage tomatoes with burrata tasted like late-summer sunshine, while the French dip sandwich with brisket and Fontina cheese, and the Cornish fish pie, were wonderfully comforting and expertly executed – and all washed down with Chateau Leoube rose, from the Bamfords’ organic estate in Provence. Expect the menu to change with the seasons, with venison carpaccio, spiced pumpkin soup, and warming beef suet pudding all on offer over the winter.

THE FINAL WORLD

If you’re looking for a truly spoiling weekend bolthole, with luxurious furnishings and hearty home-cooked food, then The Bell at Charlbury will tick all your boxes.

B&B from £194 per night. The Bell, 1 Church Street, Charlbury. thebellatcharlbury.com