please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Things have definitely looked up since the last review in 2012. We found the Old Bell to be crowded, popular and welcoming. Ale was no more expensive than other pubs on the Ale Trail.
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Just visited this Pub as the Final Pub in the 2012 Brakspears Henley 2012 Ale Trail. I have not been in this pub for over Twenty years but Oh Dear what have they done!!! Ripped all the character out of it Thats What. It used to be a nice Traditional Beamed Loacals Pub and Now!!!! Well I agree with delpus this is now an awful Modern souless pub serving only ONE Handpump Brakspears Ale (Best Bitter). I onlly went in here to claim my FREE PInt & FREE T-Shirt otherwise it is best to sreer clear. One local told me it is the Dearest Pub in Henley now and a whopping 50p a pint more than other pubs in the townj. Unless you are on the Henley Ale Trail or want to be ripped off in a modern soaless Bar (not a Pub) then this is the place for you, otherwise there are plenty of other Pubs in the Town with loads of character and cheaper. 8/10 for Beer 0/10 for Atmosphere.
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What have they done to this pub. They have covered the entire pub including the beams in white paint. Awfull decor. Looks to be on its last legs. Only one other customer in here at the height of Henley Regatta.
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Damn, wrong pub!!! This one we went into on the Friday pm, drank up & left. Not a place for non regulars I don't think. Man behind the bar served a reg before us although we'd been stood at the bar for a couple of mins whilst he finished serving before the reg came in! NOT a very nice welcome to Henley!!!!
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Went here whilst at the 80's rewind festival, the first time was on the Friday afternoon, did seem quite dark inside but we sat out. Carlsberg cheaper than Fosters thank goodness. They open at 7am each day for breakfasts, Saturday was fine but a tad understaffed, I don't think they realised how many peeps would go there, especially after 9!! Sunday, well, more staff but we didn't get there till about 1045, although we got a table quick same with ordering, we waited an hour for our nosh, I think they'd run out of plates & cups! On the plus side, a very nice filling brekkie & well worth the price.
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Agree - tried to modernise an old buiding and ends up neither fish nor fowl - small - horrible layout, no atmosphere not really a pub at all - poor selection of beers - had a distincly average pint of brakspears - I was out of the door like muck off a shovel and won't be going back
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and guess what this has now closed and has re-opened as...the Old Bell!
The Old Bell is Brakspear pub, selling Brakspear Bitter only. The pub interior probably should be a lovely old timber affair but it's all been painted white and looks a bit odd - especially the souless front bar. Things get a little better and more atmospheric the further back you go. Not really a recommendation though!
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Used to be called the Bell. Now a tapas bar which serves various exotic liquors and bottled lagers. No ale though, so I headed onward on this occasion as I wasn't hungry!
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