The Old Bell Hotel
Texas-meets-Cotswolds maximalism. Bold, eclectic interiors layered with period features — original stone fireplaces, exposed beams — alongside lavish wallpapers and globe-trotting antiques. Warm and genuinely welcoming rather than stiff or formal.
Ask for a room in the main house overlooking the Abbey — not all rooms have this view and it makes a real difference
Why It Matters
Plausibly the oldest continuously operating hotel in England, on the same site since 1220. Grade I listed. The contrast between 800-year-old bones and its new maximalist American-flavoured hospitality is genuinely unusual — it works.
Built in 1220 as a guest house for Malmesbury Abbey, The Old Bell Hotel carries a serious claim to being the oldest hotel in England. It's a Grade I listed building sitting right next to the abbey ruins in the centre of town. Since 2021, Texas-based owners Kim and Whit Hanks have overhauled the interiors dramatically — think rich jewel-toned wallpapers from British designers like Melissa White and Lewis & Wood, curated antiques collected on world travels, stained glass, and a dining room ceiling hand-painted with 8,000 gold stars. The history is very real, but the vibe is anything but dusty.
Where You'll Stay
8 room types available
Character Room
Five rooms in the main house. Larger than the Cosy rooms, some with exposed original beams that you won't find anywhere else in the hotel. Individually decorated with bold wallpapers and soft furnishings. Some are dog-friendly.
Classic Room
Located in the main house on first and second floors. King-size beds with beautifully designed wallpaper and soft furnishings. Some rooms with bathtubs, others with showers. Dog-friendly options available. Good entry point for the main house experience.
King
Cosy Room
Coach House rooms that are compact but packed with the hotel's signature design energy. Double beds, shower bathrooms. Some can convert to twin beds; interconnecting rooms available on ground and first floor — good for families who don't want to share. The smallest rooms on property and the only ones that overlook the car park rather than the Abbey.
Double (or twin configuration) · 22 sqm
Junior Master
Five rooms across the first and second floors of the main house. All uniquely decorated with personality and superking beds. Mix of shower rooms and bathtubs across the category. Good mid-tier option if Master Suites are gone — still more individual character than Classic rooms.
Superking
Master Cosy
Two rooms in the Coach House — one ground floor, one first floor. Both have a lounge space with sofa bed, making them excellent for families. The ground floor room has a private patio. Shower only (no bath). The Coach House adjoins the main building.
Master Suite
Two suites on the first floor of the main house, named Loring and Athelstan. Both spacious, with views over the gardens and the town. Loring has a four-poster bed; Athelstan has a superking. Bramley toiletries, Teapig teas, Wiltshire roasted coffee, fridge, safe, flat screen TV, complimentary WiFi. The most premium rooms in the main house.
Four-poster (Loring) or superking (Athelstan)
Single Room
Four single rooms, all with their own shower rooms. Compact but don't sacrifice on the hotel's design personality. Good value for solo travellers who want the full Old Bell experience without paying for unused space.
Single
Townhouse Suites (35, 19B, 21B, 52A, 52B, 68 Abbey Row)
Six individually designed self-catering townhouses located a few minutes' walk from the main hotel on Abbey Row. Each has its own character — some with roll-top baths, one with an original brick fireplace, another spanning three floors with countryside views. Full kitchens with Smeg appliances, Bramley toiletries, luxury bathrobes. Sleep 2–6 depending on the property. Hotel services and management on-site. Book 2+ nights direct for 20% off.
The Property
Eat & Drink
5 venues on property
Restaurant
On Property
How you'll actually spend your days.
Guided tour of the local dairy — a good fit given the hotel's emphasis on local sourcing. Bookable through the hotel's guest relations team.
The UK's oldest racing circuit is a short drive away. The hotel can incorporate visits into stays for motorsport enthusiasts.
The kitchen will put together a picnic for guests heading out into the Cotswolds countryside — Westonbirt Arboretum, river walks, or further afield. Arrange in advance with the hotel.
Hosted by the hotel's resident mixologist. Hands-on classes where guests blend, muddle, and shake their way through cocktail recipes. Themed sessions run periodically — Easter, seasonal specials. Book in advance through the hotel.
Guided tours of Malmesbury taking in the abbey ruins, the tomb of King Athelstan (first king of England), and local historic landmarks. The hotel can arrange these. Includes stories like the 11th-century monk who fashioned wings and leapt from the abbey tower.
The hotel works closely with Highgrove House & Gardens — King Charles III's private residence — to offer exclusive garden tour packages. Tickets are hard to come by independently so this package is a real draw. Includes one night accommodation, room upgrade, welcome fizz, and tour tickets.
Swimming and paddle boarding at Lake 32 in the Cotswold Water Park, a short drive from the hotel. The hotel can help arrange access.
The National Arboretum is a short drive from the hotel. The hotel can arrange binoculars for wildlife spotting and chef-prepared picnics to take with you. Spectacular in autumn for the tree colours.
Amenities & Practical Info
The details that matter for planning.
Some wheelchair access available. Historic Grade I listed designation means limitations exist — call ahead to discuss specific requirements and the hotel layout.
The Library and Garden Room are available for meetings and private events. Capacity for 10–60 guests for dining events; smaller meeting setups also available. Banquet hall on property.
Several lounge areas with open fireplaces for guests to relax in. Comfortable sofas, curated antiques, warm ambience — particularly cosy in winter. The Library is one of these spaces and can be used for private events.
Complimentary WiFi throughout the hotel and in all guest rooms.
All rooms stocked with Bramley bath products, luxury dressing gowns and slippers, Dyson hair dryer, Teapig teas, Wiltshire roasted coffee and homemade biscuits.
Outdoor terrace and garden area. In summer, the Tyger Bar's glass walls open fully to the outside. A private gazebo can be hired for intimate outdoor dining.
12 dog-friendly rooms across the hotel (2 Character, 2 Classic, 1 Junior Master, plus Cosy and Coach House options). Dogs get a luxury fur bed, bowls, and treats on arrival. £25 per dog per night surcharge. Max 2 dogs per room. Canine-size four-poster beds can be hired on request.
Gift vouchers available through the hotel's dedicated gifting portal at oldbellhotel.wearegifted.co.uk.
Private car park at the rear of the hotel. Free for guests, first-come first-served basis. Well-lit with CCTV.
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