please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Sorry to read the rather mixed reviews of the good old B and C. This was my first "proper" local back in the 1960s (I wasn't quite 18!!). Sticky and Olive Smith were the licensees and ran a very tight ship. Ushers "Boys bitter" was 1/2 a pint and I don't think they stocked any of that new fangled lager!! Must call in again next time I'm passing
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We recently ate here on Valentines day at lunchtime. The food, staff and quality throughout was just what I had hoped for. John has the right staff in the right positions. The ambiance was relaxing and friendly. The selection of beers and wines really set the taste buds tingling. If you need a relaxing drink with new friends, you would find this establishment hard to beat. ENJOY. Welldone John and the team. See you very soon.
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Two of our party of four had previously been to this establishment in recent months, so it felt like a safe bet to celebrate a special occasion here. I can only assume that the chef must have had the night off. Prawns to start - not worth it, mayo was disgusting, prawns bland & garnish -a cherry tomato!! all three of us commented to each other how awful this was. Three of us then ordered steak two of which were fillet, med/rare - result Very Poor- over cooked, & completely tasteless. The other guest had plaice - acceptable. The red wine was cold. The waitress was not very happy with our reply, when she asked if we were enjoing our meal, & went straight to the bar to tell the barman- which everyone then herd. Bad move.Very Unprofessional. Having waited 20 mintues for the table to be cleared, with half eaten meals in front of us I decided to clear our plates. I do hope that the food & service change otherwise the place will once again be closed. On a positive note the barman was very good & so were the bread rolls!!
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We ate at the Bell and Crown quite recently and had an excellent meal with very good service. We thought that although not cheap, it offered good value and we will certainly return again soon, it being fairly close to where we live.
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Had a super lunch in The Bell and Crown on 7/6/2009. We have followed John Harrington around Wiltshire in his various pubs and have never been disappointed. He is a chef with flair coupled with the eccentricity of a true restaurateur. Spotlessly clean and welcoming establishment with friendly and attentive staff. Great food, good wine and fantastic value. We only wish that he was as close to our village as he used to be But it is always worth the drive to Zeals!
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Just had an excellent lunch with a couple of Wadworth 6X's. Perfect.
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We stayed nearby during December 2008 and the B+B owner recommended the Bell and Crown for an evening meal. He said that it is a bit more expensive than some other local choices, but it was closest to where we were staying, so we gave it a try. The pub was warm, friendly and accommodating on a cold winter's evening. The place was almost fully booked with a 50th birthday party celebration and other diners, but we were travelling with our two-year-old and wanted to eat early, so we took the chance. The menu is limited (that is normally a good sign), but if the quality of all choices is as good as our meals, then you won't be disappointed. The rib eye was spot on and the rack of lamb quite delicious. All seemed to be sourced relatively locally and both came with a good selection of tasty veg. Our mains were around �14, though there are some slightly cheaper options - pies around �10 for example. Starters are around the �6 mark. The food was cooked just right and difficult to fault. If there is any criticism, then the bland white bread roll should be replaced by something decent - a very minor gripe. The staff were friendly and very good towards our (well-behaved) kiddy. The beer is excellent, by the way: well-kept and just the right temperature. When we visited, 6X seemed popular, though I kept to the Adnams which seemed to have travelled well from its East Anglian home (and it isn't a beer noted for that). The wine choices were plentiful (lots of French varietal coptions), but perhaps not such good value for what we were looking for on this occasion. Ignore the "wine of the week" sales ploy - it wasn't any better value. Given the excellent beer, we weren't concerned. So all in all we thought that the Bell and Crown was just what we were looking for, though I note that some subscribers have had different experiences. There are some regulars propping up the bar, and this can be offputting to some who are not from the area, though once engaged in conversation they were helpful and more friendly than first impressions might have suggested. We would happily return and would recommend the pub as an excellent treat for a special meal and for the quality of its well-kept beer.
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Food Excellent. Staff lovely thankyou all for a great evening.
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well bit dissatisfaction really, cold meal john seemed abit half cut and staff where rude and i think her name was claire couldnt get any thing right was not inpressed.
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rubbish food really, cold the owner john harrington always drunk lock ins every night smells of smoke in there
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Lucky Zeals to have the wonderful John Harrington amongst them....you won't regret it. The man's a legend!!!
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Thanks for the positive comments. Delighted to be here and look forward to meeting you all!! John Harrington.
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New telephone number 01747 840404
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Excellent meal, good wine list, friendly, efficient staff. What more needs to be said?
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The Bell re-opened last night and what a transformation. The beer was excellent, the decor brilliant and the company fantastic. Its good to see the pub open again and with an owner who wants to make a go of it.
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The Bell has been purchased and will open as a free house in the near future.
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Any updates on the situation at the Bell
anonymous - 14 Sep 2007 15:00 |
I am looking into purchasing this pub and will keep you informed of any news. it will be sooner than later
anonymous - 7 Aug 2007 10:39 |
anyone know why the pub is closed as much as it is open?
anonymous - 31 Jul 2007 07:26 |
The Bell closed last Sunday, It may reopen as it has been shut as much as it has been open in the last few years
anonymous - 20 Jul 2007 15:53 |
