Archive · 19 Nov 2025
Historic Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury Offers Unique Charm and Quirkiness
The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, England, is a historic inn with a unique blend of old and new.
It has quirky design details, like life-size giraffes and wall-mounted stag heads, and offers comfortable rooms with hand-drawn wallpapers.
The hotel's restaurant serves delicious food made with local ingredients.
Guests can enjoy walks along the River Avon and visit nearby picturesque villages.
The Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, England, is claimed to be the oldest inn in the country, dating back over 800 years.
The hotel is owned by American couple Kim and Whit Hanks, who have added a sense of fun to the historic building.
Each of the 34 rooms is unique, featuring hand-drawn wallpapers and intricately patterned curtains.
The hotel offers a blend of old and new, with some rooms in the main building said to be haunted.
The Abbey Row restaurant serves local, seasonal ingredients, with dishes like maple-glazed mackerel and salt-cured cod.
- Who
- Kim and Whit Hanks, American hoteliers
- What
- Renovated and reopened the historic Old Bell Hotel in Malmesbury, England
- When
- 2021
- Where
- Malmesbury, England
- Why
- To preserve the building's history while adding a sense of fun and unique charm
- Age of the hotel
- Over 800 years old
- Number of rooms
- 34
- Restaurant
- Abbey Row, serving local, seasonal ingredients
- Nearby attractions
- River Avon walks, historic villages like Castle Combe
- Haunted rooms
- Some suites in the main building are said to be haunted