The Bell Inn

We had the full Bell Inn experience for a good friend’s wedding dinner and reception. It was mostly good, but a few overlooked elements – the most critical of which was the room we stayed in – bring it down a few notches.
I should mention immediately that the staff was very attentive and courteous throughout every aspect of our stay, from the wait staff, hotel reception, and bartenders. I could not have asked for, or expected, better service than we received. Well done!
Now for the other basics: the food was great (pâté, chicken, dessert, and nibbles during the reception), and the common areas and reception rooms at the hotel were very nice. The hot, made-​to-​order breakfast the following morning was a nice touch, even if only offered for a short time period (8 – 9:30am) Yada, yada, yada…
So why, three stars? Some background:
My friend and I first met when he was the bartender at my local village pub. He introduced me to all the village locals on my first night in village after moving over from the US. He helped me to fit in. He also taught me about some great British concoctions, most memorably, the snakebite and snakebite black. (That’s half lager, half cider, with added blackcurrant cordial, for those unaware.) It was our goal to, at his wedding, share a snakebite to toast his marriage. However, apparently The Bell Inn employs and anti-​snakebite policy. The bartender flat-​out refused to make us a couple of snakebites. No exceptions, not even for the groom and his mate on his wedding day. Are you kidding me? I understand the drink has a bit of a reputation for causing violence, but what groom is going to get in a bar fight on his wedding day? Or, perhaps more appropriately, what wife will allow her new husband to get into a bar fight on their wedding night? We’re not at a Manchester United football match.
Now let’s talk about this room. We were privileged to be offered a room by the bride and groom, so I did not have much input or insight into the various room classes at the hotel. Our room was situated at the end of a long corridor, which was a great location, given its distance from the ongoing reception below. The room itself, however, was in desperate need of a makeover. From the pink porcelain in the bathroom, to the bright red carpet, the interior design was from a different era – I don’t know which era, but it isn’t one I hope we see again anytime soon.
So, a mixed experience. Great for a meal out in Stilton, if that’s your choice, but some aspects are overlooked.

I met a friend for a catch up and The Bell is well placed between us. Well, it’s a fine venue. Friendly without being overwhelming and… well, safe I suppose. Is the best description. We enjoyed tuna nicoise salad, served rare. It was tasty but nothing spectacular. Then we shared a dessert of passion fruit crème brûlée. All in all, a reliable venue.

The main restaurant at The Bell is more formal than the bistro and is a good place to eat if you fancy something a bit different from the usual choice of pub food or pizza chain. The menu is changed seasonally and usually features locally sourced ingredients.
The 3 course menu is currently £30, and while this is more expensive than other places it represents fairly good value for quality food cooked by a real chef.
I can’t promise that everything on the menu will be brilliant but the standard is generally very good and the steak is excellent.

The Bell Inn is a traditional hotel and eating venue. Stilton is a village just soth of Peterborough and The Bell is where the famous cheese was first sold hence the name.
The Bell has modern, smart décor. I dined at the bistro, but a more exclusive and expensive restaurant is also located here.
The bistro menu is modern twist on classic British dishes. They are done really well. No fancy dishes here. I was in a group of ten and we were easily accomodated.
I had the fisherman’s pie and I have to say it was the best I’ve had in my life. At around £10 to £11 it wasn’t the cheapest fisherman’s pie I’ve eaten, but it surpassed my expectations. There was planty of succulent fish and plump seafood pieces in white sauce topped with a tasty mash. The dessert of sticky toffee pudding was pretty good too.
The restaurant also served real ale or other beers and drinks, so all round it was a good place to eat.