Malmesbury has a fascinating history. In 924, Athelstan, the first King of England, made the town his capital; Thomas Hobbes of Leviathan fame was born and brought up in the town in the 17th century; the family of the mother of US President Abraham Lincoln, Nancy Hanks, are believed to originate from the town; and the first death by tiger in England was a local barmaid. The Old Bell Hotel itself is of interest, as it's thought to be the oldest hostelry in the country. So, there is plenty to explore. 

First things first, grab a pair of sunshine-coloured boots from the welly wall in the hallway, with kids' sizes decorated to resemble giraffes – a nod to the stuffed (faux) giraffes to be found in the hotel lobby. Then head to the reception desk, where the team will happily provide an umbrella or two. 

Right next door to the hotel, a 10-second sprint between rain drops, is the stunning 12th century Abbey (which once had the highest spire in Europe before it collapsed around 1500). It is a must to see the tomb of Athelstan, first King of England and Patron King of Malmesbury, which lies inside along with King Henry VII's coat of arms. It also has its own café, bookshop, and regularly hosts events, including music concerts. The Old Bell Hotel was built in the early 13th century as the guest house of the Abbey's monks.  

Just a few minutes' walk from the Abbey, the compact interactive Athelstan Museum is worth a visit to gain a greater understanding of Malmesbury's old buildings and history (including the once extensive lace industry), view its collection of finds from local archaeological digs and vintage everyday items, plus, the piece de la resistance, a JMW Turner watercolour of Malmesbury Abbey. Kids will be fascinated to see that their transport method of choice, the scooter, has not changed in style for 90 years, and there's great fun to be had spotting and counting the tigers dotted around the museum (tigers are a thing in Malmesbury on account of the bar maid being mauled by one).  

The town's charming High Street has many unique, independent shops – all very close to the Museum – that are worth a browse. Two that are particularly useful if it's raining are the gallery and art shop called Caerbladon, where the work of local artists and crafts people can be viewed in the front and upstairs, while the back of the shop offers a treasure trove of artist materials, and Barn Owl Books, with a great selection of adult and children's books that is a real hub for the local community with 8 book clubs to suit all age groups. 

Having purchased art supplies and/or a book, head to a local café such as The Birdcafe, for great pizzas and hot drinks, and settle in for some quiet time, sketching or reading. Further along the road, The Cosy Cone makes its own delicious gelatos, always a hit with the kids, but it also serves hot chocolate and pancakes if it's a little too chilly for an ice cream, and there's a sublime pistachio affogato for adults. 

Back to The Old Bell Hotel for afternoon tea – either the full works or a warming cup of tea – in front of the log fires, with an opportunity to settle in and play Cotswold Monopoly: why not buy Malmesbury Abbey on the way round the board?! Or retire to The Library, where a small selection of well curated books about Malmesbury and the Cotswolds will provide plenty of inspiration for when dry weather returns. 

For the ultimate indulgence, book The Belvedere, a folly in The Old Bell Hotel's gardens, for complete privacy and the chance to enjoy a lazy and luxurious afternoon (prices start from £325 for a full afternoon tea and include two hours use of the space). 

History buffs might like to take a personal tour of The Old Bell Hotel with a member of the team, who will happily point out key architectural features, such as the bar that dates to 1220, and anecdotes from the building's and Malmesbury's past. 

In the evenings, the hotel offers a couple of dining options so there's no need to venture out in adverse weather. Abbey Row, with its 2 AA Rosettes, serves the finest British modern cuisine made from seasonal ingredients sourced from the Southwest of England, with both a Chef's Menu and a la carte options. The Tyger Bar (named after the travelling circus tiger that is said to have killed barmaid Hannah Twynnoy in 1703) is an airy uplifting space and the perfect spot to enjoy small plates, sharing boards and classic British dishes, alongside expertly mixed cocktails.  

 

There's often the chance to grab some entertainment in town in the evenings – The Three Cups, just a few minutes' walk from The Old Bell Hotel, is Malmesbury's contemporary live music venue featuring regular arts and cultural events, including comedy, open mic nights and poetry readings, in addition to which Malmesbury is home to many music, history and arts event & festivals, which are listed on www.discovermalmesbury.life.  

Further afield, the ever-popular Giffords Circus starts its season (17th to 27th April) at its home base of Fennells Farm, just a 30-minute drive away near Stroud. And there are plenty of shopping experiences in nearby Tetbury and Cirencester, with Bath offering extensive opportunities to stay indoors, including The Roman Baths, No.1 Royal Crescent, the Fashion Museum and The Jane Austen Centre. 

   

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Fast Facts 

34 bedrooms & 4 townhouse suites with self-catering options 

4 dining & drinking experiences 

2 flexible event spaces accommodating from 4 to 120 people 

Rates start from £195 per night, for two sharing a double room on a B&B basis 

Book online at https://www.oldbellhotel.co.uk/  

 
Awards 

• 2 AA Rosettes 

• AA Breakfast Award 

• Muddy Stilettos Best Hotel in Wiltshire (2022. 2023 & 2024)  

• Food Lifestyle Awards September 2024 – Hotel of the Year Winner 

• Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice Award 2024 

• The Cotswolds Awards 2024 – Best Dog Friendly Restaurant (Tyger Bar & the lounges) 
   

History of The Old Bell Hotel 

800BC Massive fort constructed on the site where The Old Bell Hotel is now located 

Circa 650AD Irish missionary founded a monastery on the site of the fort 

924AD Athelstan became the first King of England, named Malmesbury his capital and loved the town so much, he chose to be buried in the Abbey 

1140AD A castle replaced the fort where The Old Bell Hotel stands today; a few of the former castle remains in the form of extremely thick walls and a Norman arch 

1216AD The monks bought the castle, demolished it and erected an Abbey guest house – hospitality has been offered here ever since, making it, it is believed, the oldest hotel in England 

1649AD Sir John Danvers, MP for Malmesbury, who signed the Death Warrant of King Charles I, briefly owned The Old Bell Hotel in the 1640s 

1798AD Originally known as 'The Castle House', the building was officially named The Old Bell Hotel 

2021AD The Old Bell Hotel was bought by Whim Hospitality 

 
CONTACTS 

The Old Bell Hotel, Abbey Row, Malmesbury SN16 0BW 
Tel: 01666 822344 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oldbell_hotel/  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheOldBellHotel/  

 
LOCATION 

Malmesbury is just 10 minutes from the M4 (J17), making it a two-hour drive from central London, and less than 40 minutes from both Bristol and Bath. The nearest rail station, just a 20-minute drive away, is Chippenham, from where there are direct trains to London Paddington taking just over an hour. 

SURROUNDING AREA 

Malmesbury lies in the lesser-known South Cotswolds, where there is plenty to explore. 

To the West (all within 15 minutes) 

Westonbirt, The National Arboretum – perfect for dog walks, as well as a Treetop Walk 13 metres above ground 

Highgrove Gardens – the gardens of King Charles III's private country home are open to the public, entry tickets must be purchased in advance 

Tetbury – a pretty market town close to Highbury with great shopping opportunities especially for antique hunters 

To the North (both within 40 minutes) 

Cirencester – the Capital of the Cotswolds was founded by the Romans and has one of the largest collections of Romano-British antiquities, several stunning mosaics and the best-preserved Roman amphitheatre in Britain 

Bibury – home to one of the most photographed streets in the Cotswolds, Bibury Row 

To the East (both within 25 minutes) 

Cotswold Water Park – the place to go for lake swimming and SUP 

Cotswold Sculpture Park – showcases the work of 170 pieces of work by local and international artists 

To the South (both within 45 minutes) 

Lacock – this National Trust property is perfect for a bit of set-jetting; its picturesque streets and historic cottages, untouched by modern alterations, have been the backdrop to Harry Potter, Downtown Abbey, Pride & Prejudice and many other period series 

Bath – widely known for its hot springs and rich history as well as being a fashionable, elegant spa town with stunning Georgian architecture