The Bell Inn

We stopped in for lunch as a family and found the staff friendly and helpful. Good-value pub grub, just as you'd hope for, plus a nice range of beers to sample. Definitely worth dropping in, maybe more than once.

The people behind the bar were very friendly, though they couldn't tell us much about the different beers on tap, so the regulars helped us choose. We had a pint of local beer and moved on. There's a sign outside and a Middle-earth map inside, along with a few rather random Tolkien and local-area pictures. Given the pub is supposedly what inspired Tolkien's Bree pub, we expected a bit more. I wouldn't make a special trip for it, but it's pleasant enough if you're already nearby enjoying the area.

We loved how dog-friendly the Cotswolds are, and the innkeeper's dog, Findley, was there to greet us before settling into his favourite spot in the pub. Our room, number 2 upstairs, was roomy, clean and nicely decorated, with good amenities. Staff carried our bags up for us. The full English breakfast that came with the room was delicious, and the connected little pub was surprisingly quiet. It's a historic inn with links to JRR Tolkein, only a short walk from the station and within easy reach of everything in Moreton in Marsh. One heads-up, the stairs to the upstairs rooms are outside.

The price of my pint really caught me off guard. My Timothy Taylor's cost £7.50, more than I pay in London. The online UK average I found for that beer was £5.65, so the landlord seems to be at the ambitious end of the price range. It was my first visit in over ten years. The post-2015 refurbishment is nice, though the Tolkien theme has been toned down, which disappointed me as a fan. I also noticed the bar's Middle-earth map came from The Rings of Power TV show rather than the books, which may not suit everyone. Still, at least there's something on the wall.