The Bell Inn in Cherwell

We really enjoy when going to the Bell inn in Lower Heyford. The staff is so nice and kind, they have good beers selection, and the Sunday roast are delicious! Highly recommend!

Found the Bell Inn in Lower Heyford while staying locally at Steeple Aston and glad I did. The food was delicious, salt and pepper squid with Haloumi fries for starter and Rabbit & Tarragon pie with spicy mash and caramelised onion gravy in a Yorkshire pudding for mains. Beautifully cooked and full of flavour. Our server, Niamh was very friendly and professional and had a good knowledge of the menu. Very pleased to have found this pub, hope to go back again if I'm ever in the area.

Lovely little village pub with great food

Huge portions and good service in a comfortable atmosphere

Great food, easy access and fast service. Lovely place to relax with friends or family.

Lovely Sunday roast today - thinly sliced pink beef, a huge Yorkshire pudding & lovely medley of vegetables - great service too

Moored up nearby on the canal and walked to the pub for dinner ( about 10 mins from the station). Great food - traditional pub food with pie and mash and sausage and mash the specialties ( a wide choice of both)

Great pub with a lovely local atmosphere. Nearly always have a good selection of beers and ales on offer and ciders too.

The pub was great only had a few drinks but the food looked amazing

Bangers and mash to die for. Sometimes it hard to get excited about bangers and mash. It a staple of English life, but please do get excited about this. You can taste the love and devotion poured into each bite. Delicious. Price was really good when you compare the quality of what you’re eating. All washed down with a lovely drop of Hooky, yum.

Extremely disappointed with the Sunday roast. Two small roast potatoes, two thinly sliced pieces of tough beef. Spoonful of cabbage, and three pieces of carrot. Mind you the Yorkshire was good. Shame, was expecting better. Desserts were a let down. Portion sizes for both the roast and dessert too small for the price.

Famous for sausages and mash! Delicious! Compliments to the chef and the very friendly service. We will be back and recommend the house.

Lovely quaint rural pub with amazing kitchen and charming garden. Highly recommended.

nice pub, friendly staff, good beers and a lovely beer garden. No food on offer when we were visiting.

Only a brief visit, but there was a wide choice of beer, the one I tried was well kept, the service was great and the pub inviting.

Stopped by for some dinner with friends and had a ball! I was a bit confused by the menu but Lucy was very helpful and clarified that you could LITERALLY have your pie and mash in a Yorkshire pudding. Pie + mash + Yorkshires = heaven

Lovely pub excellent food was made to feel so welcome would definitely recommend.

Absolutely lovely, the staff, atmosphere, locals, food, everything about this pub deserves 5 stars. Nothing was too much trouble for us who are not locals, The manager Ollie, even made my hot water bottle for me, as i was cold. They put a TV up in the garden so everyone could watch the football. Such a relief from our dreadful experience in The Great Western Arms the days before. Thank you for restoring our faith in how Publicains should treat their customers

Lovely little local pup with a superb sausage-centric menu. Reasonably priced and excellent service.

Totally amazing food and beer! This is a pub to die for - beautiful pub in a beautiful tranquil village. Heaven!

So good, we went back a second day time! Out on the canals so looking for a good pub with an evening meal menu with a difference and The Bell Inn provided this handsomely. They have a few pub standards, but the main body of the menu is a left hand column of different sausages to choose from and a right hand column of different pies. Your next choice was then from a large range of different mashed potato (or chips if you're being boring) and lastly, a choice of five gravys. Finally sides of veg can be added, but be warned these are big plates! Four clean plates on the first night and four clean plates on the second, beautiful food and reasonably priced, so stop by the lift-bridge at Lower Hayford.

Great old pub in beautiful village. Great beer and garden, although food limited to pies and sausages on our visit

Lovely village pub in a lovely village. They have a huge beer garden, the toilets were clean, and the barmaid was lovely and very helpful. There is some parking out the front. I would recommend walking around the back to the level entrance because the steps at the front are very steep and big. The atmosphere was really nice and the other patrons were also very helpful and informative. Also they serve Hawkstone larger.

We booked for dinner on 5/6/24 while cruising in a narrowboat up the Oxford canal. It was well worth the 5 minute slightly uphill walk from our canal mooring at lift bridge #205, to the Bell Inn. The quality of the food and service was exemplary. Izzy, our waitress, was attentive and very friendly. The atmosphere was pleasant and the cost was very reasonable.

Nice spot for some Sunday roast and a beer

Really good night staff really good good service and a good selection of real ales dog friendly and friendly atmosphere

Delightful little find. Currently serving a selection of pies and sausages, supplemented by a small menu of pub classics. The mushroom pie was an explosion of flavour and the Cumberland sausage was also excellent. Creamy and spicy (in the case of the gunpowder mash) mashed potato and a choice of lovely gravies. Good selection of cask ales and plenty more to suit all tastes. Well worth a 10 minute walk from the canal or station

Visited the Bell whilst on a boating trip, four of us one lunch time last week, the food was amazing freshly cooked home made spot on, my party had the fish and chips, ham egg and chips and one of us had the pie, the ham was thick and tender, fish and chips was spot on and the pie and mash was excellent, i only wanted a portion of chips but they were bang on, good service, dog was allowed in as well (he is behaved) great food good choise of beers as well.

Beautiful meal. Had 3 different sausages and they were all really good. Service was first class, really friendly, and they clearly really care about it. Spot on.

The Sausage and Mash for 2 was excellent. Great pub food and lovely staff.

Had a lovely meal, I’m vegetarian and there were two veggie options: sausage or pie with mash or chips. Mash comes in variety of options and there’s gravy choices too. I opted for a mushroom pie, mustard mash and onion gravy and it was absolutely delicious. Really friendly staff and nice atmosphere. My friend had a gluten-free meal and really enjoyed that, too.

Lovely little country pub that's just reopened its kitchen after a refit and has a new chef. The menu was sausages and pie and there was one choice of gluten free sausage. I think the best way to describe it, is good 'pub grub.' (Found it slightly strange that the mains didn't come with vegetables, you had to order them as an extra.)

Amazing will 100% be eating here again!!! Roast potatoes were to die for soo crispy and fluffy Beef was amazing and the chicken was so juicy Thank you so much :)

A couple of month's ago, the new landlord posted on Facebook promising major change, a great new experience, and so on. This was to happen in May. As it is now May, expectantly, we went to The [revitalised] Bell this Saturday evening. Had a table booked for six of us. Nothing was ready when we arrived. Extracting any information from the staff proved 'challenging'. When we eventually got it, the 'menu' was a chalk board with three items on it. A bottle of nondescript red wine was £34. The vegetarian option consisted of two unexceptional sausages served on one split soft finger roll in a brown plastic coated tray on a paper plate with a small portion of exceptionally over salted chips. No accompaniments, not even a lettuce leaf or a portion of coleslaw. The only mustard was yellow industrial stuff out of a plastic squirty bottle, and that we had to fetch from the beer garden. I still don't get what South Korea has got to do with it, but if this is what Ged Hughes and the "Sausage Man's Seoul" much hyped revamp has to offer, then their local competitors needn't lose any sleep. I have downgraded my rating to one star as they don't accept none! --------------------- Originally posted with 4 stars, around January 2023... The Bell is a 'local'. It hasn't been 'gentrified'. It appeals to a cross section of the local community and, when serving food and especially during the summer when the extensive garden is open, it appeals to a much wider catchment. In recent years, it has benefitted from considerable investment from its independent owner - which has improved it enormously without alienating the regular clientele. It would be great if a few more communities would adopt it. CAMRA? Folk or another genre of music? A few local clubs (there's an area that could be isolated for them)? To the casual visitor, it is perfectly OK but not exceptional. You probably wouldn't make it there for a 'special' day. To move up a league it probably needs a major investment and that would risk losing the local custom. A tough challenge. If you like homely and are with a few friends then it is perfect.

Unfortunately when we arrived, end of February, looking for lunch we were told the kitchen is closed until May.

Proper village pub, lots of banter and laughs.

amazing well prepared and presented Sunday roast, outstanding quality meats , home made roast spuds amd Yorkshire puddings, excellent service , amazing desserts , the only criticism would be not much on the menu for kids. will definitely be back

Lovely traditional village pub, excellent food and great atmosphere.

Called in to The Bell after a lovely walk by the canal which is nearby. Food was good and reasonably priced. Burger was excellent. There were 2 ales on. Tribute which was good, Cheltenham Gold which was the end of the Barrel which wasn't good at all. Nor was the Lillys Cider which was on draught. Smelt like rotten eggs. Good pub garden, nice quiet location. Shame about the quality of the drinks. We will return though.

Hi there. There are some great people in here nice food and friendly service. Get here and get some down time x

If you're looking for a country pub for lunch and to take some eccentric pictures and you take a wrong turn as we did, you may well be very lucky to come across the bell. What a fantastic find. A great old-fashioned original pub. It was quiet, but that was exactly what we were looking for. The barman was friendly and welcoming and once we had settled down with a drink we perused the lunchtime menu. Two of us had the fish finger sandwich which was large chunks of hot battered fish in a lettuce and ciabatta roll with big chunky chips on the side. It was a good portion and was far better than most other places advertising the same. My wife had the bacon, Brie and Cranberry baguette. Again, this was far better than others. Overall, great, great food and not overpriced in any way. Really reasonable. We hung around to take some strange pics. I won't bother explaining the concept of way a load of puppets were on the table. You'll have to find Mikael Wolf and ask him. If we ever have the good luck to be in the area again, this will be our pub of choice. Thoroughly, thoroughly recommend.

Less than 5 mins walk from canal if your boating. Whole experience is average (at best). Beer selection very minimal, basically Calsberg or Carlsberg. Food is OK, nothing special or fancy, just mainstream wetherspoon type stuff. No complaints but wouldn't recommend or come back.

Only had a drink here but very pleasant and staff were friendly. Definitely southern prices though.

Food, service and drinks were all very good! Good vegetarian options too, would happily go there again!

We did not even stay for a drink as there was no-one at the bar when we arrived and when someone appeared he completely ignored us. No welcome whatsoever so we left and we won't be returning!

Went for lunch today with family and all had meals from the lunch menu. Great quality and good prices. Great service from Ollie. Give the man a raise

Lovely little village pub, friendly atmosphere, helpful staff and the best fish and chips I have had in a long time. The only minor issue for me was they didn't serve mushy peas

Lovely pub, great food and lovely area.

Very nice local pub for Sunday lunch. Done well with swift friendly service. Good, not overly flashy or complicated, Sunday lunch menu. Just one roast (beef today). I made the mistake of ordering a traditional cider (Brain Dead) which I did not enjoy at all - 1 sip and gave up! But the red wine was very good. Good very good.

Firstly, unless you are local, expect a wait at the bar. We were seated at a table near the bar which unfortunately brought in the smell of the nearby toilets. Food was nice, chips were very good, super crispy and fluffy. The service however left much to be desired. The bar man appeared to be selective when serving. The waitress I fear was dropped on her head at birth. Lights were on but no-one was home if you catch my drift. Was a very drawn out and awkward process to get the correct food order, condiments and anything to actually eat with 🙃 perhaps a shot of coffee before the next next time! Cheers!

Lovely friendly relaxing pub. Got a great roast beef dinner. Girls serving were very friendly and efficient.

What a great pub. Very welcoming. Great food.

Top, top pub! Not enough of these around - a classic charming and quaint village pub, but you can tell no corners are cut on the standard of the food and drinks. Lovely garden and the village is beautiful. Will absolutely be coming back!

Friendly, warm and welcoming pub with good food.

Lovely Pub, food was very good, friendly and helpful staff, called in during narrow boat holiday, 5 minute walk from canal, well worth the stroll up the hill.

100 %friendly great pub will. Call again when I am in town

Stopped for a couple pints of IPA and a starter on a countryside dog walk/bar crawl lovely pub, Halloumi fries were delicious 👍

Disappointing not to be able to eat as kitchen closed early!

Euan and Dave were 100% highly recommended. We were treated like locals. Great evening. If you are cruising the cut, stop and enjoy!

Lovely pub with lot's of history!

Excellent pub, nice guy behind the bar and a lovely, lovely beer garden. Came back the second night for food and was served by a thoroughly nice chap called Ewan. Food was excellent and service was top notch, thanks!

Stayed nearby for two nights, had our evening meals at the Bell. Lovely food , great service. Thank you everyone.

Lovely and welcoming I suggest you book for Sunday lunch if you are in a hurry but we had plenty of time enjoyed sitting in the garden till we could order a meal which was not long. Highly recommend the roast both were amazing

What a great find! The food was great - the best fish and chips we’ve had for years! As good as the food was, the staff are just fantastic! Will be returning!

Really good pint of ale. Wish they had a pool table; It's that kind of place.

First time back since growing up in the village as a child and really pleasantly surprised at how nice it is now, we had a unplanned lunch for 2 with soggy Labrador who’d been swimming and we were made very welcome. Food was plentiful, reasonably priced and staff were lovely

Lovely pub with a great atmosphere and very friendly staff. The food was amazing and we even had a plate of dog treats on the table waiting for our two dogs.

Thi is a cracking pub. Just what a village pub should be. Go there.

Super village pub great selection of ales that change as free house

New chef doing fantastic! We went for the last night of our canalboat expedition and were very impressed. Really nice staff, and the food was excellent. The Jungle Curry in particular was great.

A very friendly old fashioned village pub. We had a small bite to eat which was lovely

Cosy , friendly pub in an enchanting village setting

After a what seemed an eternity without a chef at our local, today we had our first Sunday Roast! Worth the wait in finding the right chef! Delicious!! Well done 👏

No food at the moment. New chef due at end of month. A lovely village pub. Very friendly staff and customers. Good range of beers and ciders.

Great country pub with a good selection of wines and beers. Lovely friendly staff but unfortunately no kitchen temporarily.

Great ale and very friendly staff many thanks

Very nice burger and coffee. Staff are very friendly as well. 👍

Very nice place. They were able to cater to my special requests of adding cheese and chutney to another sandwich. This made it absolutely fantastic tasting. I'm sure it would also have been great as is :) Lovely garden area to sit in, and the inside is very cool looking.

Quaint outside but in need of tlc inside. Cloudy pint of bitter and smoking in the passage near the garden, maybe I was unlucky, never went back!

I've been popping to the Bell for 25 years or so. I think it's the nicest it has been at the moment. The rear garden has been opened up, with plenty of table spaces. Food is pretty decent. Some nice dishes and homemade food. Staff are very friendly and we'll trained. Facilities are clean and well maintained. Every other Thursday there is an open mic, so you can bring an instrument down and have a jam.

Really lovely range of beer, limited menu but done extremely well.

I wish this were better than three stars because I think the staff try really hard. We ordered drinks and all the beer came out quickly but the wines were about 15 minutes after. They did knock off the price of one of the wines though. The food wasn't amazing and the menu is very limited, I had a chicken and avocado salad and the dress was far too salty. Staff were helpful and it's a lovely old building.

Very friendly, lovely big garden and dogs are allowed in the garden :) highly recommend this establishment :)

Terrible service. Worse food. Poor chap was run off his feet. Limited menu. The sharing platter with beef was disgusting the beef was off even the table next to us smelt the rotting meat. The manager still said it was ok. It wasn’t.

Lovely pub. Visited with family for drinks. Period building, very cosy during winter and spring. Live music in the garden at the time of visiting and a good s election of real ales. Beautiful village setting.

A really lovely pub, with a absolutely brilliant pub garden. The staff are also really friendly. We had one of the cote de boef sharing boards, but the meat was blue and sides accompanying seemed tiny - especially for £42! Also the sharing boards are a bit of a weird concept - especially if you were coming in in with a group of an odd number?! We will go back for a drink, but will not be having a sharing board again any time soon!

Lovely, cheery staff. Excellent fish and chips. Recommend!

I live locally in Lower Heyford, and thoroughly advise anyone to go in for a drink. It's charming and pleasant, with friendly staff. My misses and I recently went in and shared the Cote de boeuf, which is a shared meal for £56. The beef came blue and had to be reheated, but that's not an issue at all and happens. The meal tasted great. The main problem was the portion size. My whippet of a girlfriend said it wasn't big enough, and I thoroughly agreed. Enough steak for two, enough sides for one. It came with green beans and potatoes, which really needed to be doubled. We're talking 30 pence worth of extra ingredients to bulk it out, and for £28 a head, that shouldn't really be a complaint we need to make.

Lovely local pub, we arrived just as the kitchen was closing and the chef agreed to still make us food if we ordered quickly. The guy working at the bar was really friendly, good drinks choice and the food was very good.

The bar staff were very welcoming and bubbling with enthusiasm! Although there is only a limited menu, the choices we made were stunning, the camembert was the best we have ever had. As my wife is vegetarian, there was only 1 option but they were willing to create her an off-menu veggie sandwich which she loved. Thanks for going the extra mile!

Amazing staff, food, and service. Could not fault it!

I've reviewed this before but the excellence and accommodating staff deserve another great accolade. These guys bring a great event to a beautiful village. Thanks as ever James and co.

Nice food although a bit pricey. Lovely 'proper' country pub with friendly service. Had their burger which was delicious. Chicken wing starters so good though served Chernobyl reactor hot. Their online menus are a bit hard to interpret and seem to default to the Sunday and as I say, prices are a bit high. But, would defo come back.

Delicious food,great service! A definite new favorite x

Sampled several ales .had a great evening

Nice atmospheric pub, lovely selection of meals. Very welcoming and friendly, plus good beer .

Food was really delicious, made to order, even the desserts.

Went for a pub quiz. Beer excellent ( purity) food great. Great welcome

Amazing food , very nice atmosphere and very friendly staff 😄 really enjoyed our lunch and dinner.

My other half and I had the pleasure to stumble across the bell inn after an impromptu trip to the cotswolds. Last night we came into the establishment and were greeted by the friendliest wait staff I have ever met. We were offered either a quiet corner or busier table in the restaurant, he gave food and drink recommendations and was not the slightest bit pushy. The food was fantastic. Two drinks each, starter and a main for about £50 collectively, which was fantastic value as the food was AMAZING. Will definitely recommend to anyone I know visiting the area and some family who are more local.