The Bell Inn, set in the lovely historic village of Horndon on the Hill, is a 15th Century Coaching Inn run by the same family for over 75 years.

The inn had a chequered early history. In 1553 a local landowner, Thomas Higbed, was burnt at the stake on ground to the rear of the Inn for ‘heresy.’  An historical society ‘blue plaque’ fixed to the front of the building commemorates the grizzly event.

Happily it wasn’t long before weary travellers were receiving, if not warmer, then certainly more friendly hospitality. The impressive architecture of the building with its courtyard (awash in summer with magnificent flowers), balcony and archway entrance reveals its prime business in those early days as a ‘coaching inn’ providing sustenance and accommodation for travellers on their way south to ford the River Thames at Highams Causeway. Inside the building, the original king post is still in place carrying roof timbers over a thousand years old.

The two busy bars have the warm, friendly atmosphere of a ‘proper’ pub.  There’s an open fire, numerous ales on hand pump and a top-class wine by the glass list. The menu changes daily, using seasonal and local produce where possible. Upstairs, and in the Georgian properties next door but one, are 27 individually styled bedrooms featuring both modern and period twists that remain sympathetic to the beautiful buildings in which they reside.

The Bell is featured in all the ‘serious’ guides and has won numerous industry awards including being recommended in The Times Cool Hotel Guide  2014 and The Sunday Times Food List as one of the 10 best gastropubs in the UK.

More information here.