The Bell Inn in West Somerset

Had fish and chips was a really good portion and the fish tasted really fresh with a light and crispy batter. Very friendly waitress and gentleman who served the food. Will definitely come again!

Oct 12th 2024 Arrived at 4:59, told by the bar staff they start serving food at 5:00. We ordered at 5:23 to be told they were full. There were empty tables everywhere. Very irritating.

Very pleasant place. Food reasonable price, came out hot. Staff very pleasant

Popped my head in this place to ask if food available to be met by a rather curt landlord who said 'you've got 15 minutes to order if you want food'. We went back later just for drinks, but despite cool retro music decor and playing, it seriously lacked atmosphere. We aimed for a cosy looking seat to be told 'cant sit there no dogs', (even though place was empty!) so sat elsewhere. Bar Waitress was pleasant, she just about saved it but we won't be returning and definitely don't recommend. We think it's a 'local pub for local people'. Lol!

A good honest British pub. Reasonable food at reasonable prices. Not too fancy just what we were looking for.

Musical evening at the Bell Inn Watchet 'Open Mic' terrific! Sang and played a few songs.Fun atmosphere and will go next month

Basic pub food at a reasonable price. Beer was not great.

First time here. Service excellent and food and drink great. Lovely background music.

Paul & his team at the bell were very welcoming for our visit on Saturday evening after a day spent ringing on Exmoor and within West Somerset. Perfect hosts everything went well from start to finish as this was a block booking. We also came down on October 14th 2023 and we also had fantastic service then. The food was good. The atmosphere was also excellent with Paul & his team being the perfect hosts. If anyone is in the area please do come and visit where you will find a warm welcome and good food. If we’re ringing in the area again we will be back.

5 of us had a lovely meal here tonight. The owner was friendly and service was super quick. We ate here while on holiday last year so it was on our list again for this year's visit. The pizza was especially good as was the curry, chilli and cod and chips. Highly recommended.

Tale of two halves. We were looking for a pub to have a spot of lunch while travelling on the Somerset Steam Railway. It was a dull and cold day for June, after walking through town we found the Bell. On first arrival it was not that welcoming and a large group of rowdy males drinking, that were loud and a little intimidating. No tables left for us to eat. After the big group left we found a table and the waitress was lovely very welcoming - we ordered from the restaurant extensive menu - all the food was very well priced and fresh when it arrived. Despite first impressions I would recommend for a good basic and freshly cooked food.

Visited the Bell frequently when we were on holiday in early April. Lovely pub, friendly welcoming locals, great staff & a tidy though small "beer garden" at rear, with a covered area for those of us with that dreadful smoking habit. Good, well kept real ales. I only gave a 3* for food as we didn't manage to eat here (always full for food when we visited) the food we saw being served looked delicious though, but we did buy a takeaway pizza which sadly didn't meet our expectations, short on toppings & somewhat overcooked + expensive for what it was. Overall, we'd be very happy to visit again (if we're allowed to after what I said about the pizza) when back in the area.

Cosy place. That's how a pub should be like!

A very friendly pub, great real ales, sheltered area at the back for people with bad habits (smoking) - nice plants, well cared for, they've made the best of a small area. Sadly we didn't manage to eat here (food looked great) as it was booked for a private function when we first arrived, & fully booked every other time we called in -- THAT say's a lot ! Hopefully next time we're in Watchet we'll manage to time it & eat at the Bell.

Bit of a shame really, very overcooked vegetables and small meat portions even on a large Sunday roast. You need to tell them in advance for gluten free or veggie options on a Sunday, which is quite unusual and not mentioned when we booked. Our mistake for not checking maybe, the vegetarian in our party had a roast without the meat - but then to be charged the same price as a full roast, that was disappointing. When queried was just told 'that's how much they charge'. Not a bad price for a roast, but the quality was not great. Haven't tried their other meals, feel a bit reluctant to try now!

Rubbish, pubs empty due mostly to the landlord having stupid rules like, the dog must be on the floor not on your knee. I ask you, if it's clean enough to be on your trousers then what is the problem. No atmosphere, no customer's, not coming back

Not great! Beer ok but very frosty reception from the landlord and “food fully booked” even though nobody actually in the pub or eating. Plenty of nicer places in Watchet where you’re made to feel welcome.

Beer was nice. Landlord was clearly reading from the Basil Fawlty playbook. Asked to try a sample of one of the ales and he acted like I had asked to dry bugger his dog. Not recommended.

Fantastic place! We're so happy to have this pub. The staff are all amazing and the food is sublime. Cannot recommend this inn enough!

In Watchet for a brief visit. called in for a spot of lunch, good selection at reasonable prices, I had a Chilli Jacket Potato, it was delicious, great selection of beers, and dog friendly. The landlord has some great pop music memorabilia in the pub, and he plays in a group, has a copy of a flyer for a record he recorded with his group Blind Pigeon. Worth a visit if you are in the area,

Whilst on holiday, we took part in the Tuesday night pub quiz. We came last but had a great evening and everyone made us feel welcome

Pre booked group. Warm welcome, reserved tables kept us together. Plenty of choice on the menu. Chilli con carne & tikka masala had a good bite of heat. All plates cleared……says it all. Beer went down very well for those not driving. Excellent end to a good day out bell ringing. Happy to recommend this cosy, comfy pub.

We found The Bell on a day out. The food and service were very good and the meals decently priced. We will return when next in the area.

What a gem of a pub. Stopped here for a bite to eat and so glad we did I had a ploughman's which was delicious and served with warm baguette, Husband had the curry and said it one of best he had ,

Just had a pint here but a lovely little pub with quite a few tables and a small courtyard. Friendly service with a quirky gents toilets too.

Land lord was freindly the food was good and it had a lovely ambience

Superb atmosphere, lovely furnishings, cosy and clean, and great service. Relaxing. Home made curry was delicious.

Staff brilliant food good, but Sunday Roast veg overcooked esp. Brocolli which was just mush. Small courtyard area shared with smokers,not ideal.

We made a stop to enjoy the view by the lighthouse and have a meal in a local pub. The gentleman behind the bar was very welcoming, the meal was better than imaged, even though we managed to arrive on the pizza night, my 2,5 years old daughter even got a complimentary ice cream and to top it all, the atmosphere was amazing, it is definitely worth another visit if we are nearby, any time, thanks for the lovely evening.

We enjoyed every aspect of our meal on Monday evening. Nice varied menu, lovely food and all at reasonable prices, Very pleasant staff . Would definitely visit again.

Great food, reasonable prices and good staff.

Walked in to a friendly welcome for us and our two dogs. Drinks served quickly and there was time to read through the many interesting pieces on the walls while the food was being cooked. Hot (in both senses) turkey balti warmed me up on a cold day but the star of the show was undoubtedly the chips that came with my husband's sausages and double eggs. Haven't had chunky chips like that in years: crisp on the outside, fluffy inside and obviously cooked in fresh oil. Top marks to whoever was in the kitchen. Going to pinch the idea of an old piano converted into a sound desk for our village hall - just brilliant. Overall, a proper 'pub' with congenial hosts and good grub - and, as a plus, the central heating was on and much appreciated after getting extremely cold wandering around Watchet's harbour-side market.

The home cooked food was delicious! The background music was nice to listen to and the Landlord was polite, helpful and pleasant! My wheelchair was no bother at all. Book in advance though because it's very popular!!

Good beer, dog friendly and the guy behind the bar was welcoming. We travelled by steam train from Blue Anchor Bay, Got the impression that not all the locals like holiday makers, there was a guy standing by the bar who was moaning about the trains until another local made a point that the town needed the train that brought people to the town, a shame as it did make us feel uncomfortable in what was actually a lovely pub.

Just our favourite place to go! Either as a couple or a family group; to eat or just have a glass of wine. The food is excellent, as are the team, hugest thanks to Paul, Gill, Clare and Adam. Brilliant atmosphere. Warm in Winter, cool in Summer.

I'm not sure why this landlord runs a pub. He is rude and unfriendly to customers and makes you feel you feel you are putting him out by going in there. I was warned locally about his rude attitude but having found all the other establishments in this lovely town very welcoming, I thought I would give him the benefit of the doubt. I wish I hadn't. The drinks are more expensive here than anywhere else in town too.

Late Saturday lunch at the Bell after walking around this seaside town. We went for bye cod and chips which tasted yummy. Very homely pub with a fire and friendly locals. Would recommend.

We have visited the area for years but it was our first time coming to The Bell and what a delight ! Warm and cosy on a winter's day , great staff and service , good beer and delicious home cooked pub grub . We will be back very soon

Fantastic food and service, everything was great,will visit again

Welcoming for powered wheelchair users

Excellent food and the Guinness was perfect 👍

Friendly staff. Proper pub. Limited menu but tasty.

Well, here we are again! Every time we visit Watchet we choose The Bell Inn for lunch because you just can't beat it for food and cosy atmosphere! My companion had Ham, 2 Eggs & Chips, and I chose Battered Fish & Chips, Both dishes included garden peas. We absolutely relished it! My fish was HUGE with great moist flakes in perfect batter. The chips were crispy outside, fluffy inside. Perfection! Toilets nice and clean, great friendly atmosphere in the bar, lovely barista and baristress! As we were eating, the news came through about the latest chaos in Westminster - this inspired lively good-humoured chat amongst the diners! All very entertaining! What more could you ask for?

A very pleasant establishment, clean and tidy. and very friendly atmosphere. The staff go out of their way to help you. A place I would visit frequently.

Great pub, good atmosphere, fab staff and food well prepared and served. Disabled access,

Great Sunday dinner,worth every penny,recommend you book

Lovely quaint little pub, with great food & friendly staff. It was the best meal we had in all the time we spent at Doniford bay. A good little find as it got booked very last minute. Our boy Jake found it.

Called in for a drink with family. Was a lovely little pub. Dad enjoyed the real ale.

lovely friendly and clean just popped in for a drink. Locals in there very chatty and helpful.

Very tasty pub lunch, quick service, friendly staff pretty good menu, food nice and hot. Booking available and recommended gets quite busy, but you don't have to wait to long for your food.

Very quaint and friendly. Watcher is beautiful.

We have been here a few times while holidaying locally. This year, we discovered a Court Yard Garden at the back - what a sun trap ! Bar Food was very good and arrived quickly. The only down side was the Cappuccino was no good and they don't offer sweetners either !

This time my friend and I brought my sister with us as it was my birthday1 Of course, once we were in Watchet we made straight for The Bell Inn. My sister and I had fish and chips - the fish was huge, great big...

Called in today while waiting to check in at the near by haven site. Very friendly atmosphere & the food was excellent 👌

Came in here a month ago with my wife and the landlord was rude to my wife, gave it another visit on the hope it was a one off and couldn't be more wrong this time a barmaid and the landlord were hooked up in...

Great staff good food and covid safe

A gem of a place , great food and atmosphere 👌

Although it’s a quite an unassuming pub from the outside the inside is a lovely pub with a country pub feel. It has a small courtyard outside with a a few benches. Good selection of drinks and food. Good selection of veggie/vegan food and usual...

Stopped at the Bell Inn while visiting Watchet for lunch. Varied menu with plenty of choice. My wife and I settled for 2 different curries and both were very nice served with a smile. Best bit for me was the choice of beer. ( I...

Nice old school pub, a couple of good real ales on, we had food it's a simple pub menu the curry I had was very nice, as you come into the pub the area to the left is dog friendly,

Lovely cozy pub with a warm welcome. Enjoyed their local well kept ale. Food was good and plentiful.

Very accommodating, lovely Sunday Roast and drinks - dogs welcome, and the other regulars, also made us feel very welcome, even giving them treats. Back ground music, was my sort of music 5☆ from me. All in all great atmosphere, and very pleasant staff.

Stopped for lunch. The food was good - ham, eggs and chips and a veggie burger. Chips were great and salad was dressed. The landlord and the locals were friendly and its a dog friendly pub too. Oh and the beer is kept well.

Goodness me - can it be a whole year since we ate at The Bell Inn?? Incredible! But we were so glad to be able to sit in the comfy surroundings and eat their wonderful, well-cooked food! My friend had ham, eggs and chips (very...

Nice old quaint pub. Friendly and good traditional pub grub.

Had the best night last night, good food, fab company and so much laughter. Sarah Jane was great, had us in stitches without even trying. We can't wait to call in for a drink or 2 very soon. Thank you so much 🤗😘

Friendly pub. Nice atmosphere and good beer.

Really enjoyed our fish and chips. This was our 2nd visit and again could not fault.

Nice ale and good choice of gin

Food was really lovely nice and friendly people well worth a visit

Went into this pub for a drink with family and felt unwelcome on arrival by the man behind the bar. Assuming he is the landlord, he was not keen on us sitting in the pub for a drink. All tables were empty apart from another...

Came here on Saturday 18 th September, I did think at first we wouldn’t be seated as there were 4 adults and 3 children but yes was shown where we could sit in this lovely oldie pub , ordered drinks and meals the pizzas are...

Booked a table for 5 people 2 days before, couldn't book for 7.30pm as requested but they could book us for 7pm which was fine, we thought they must be busy and need the table after. Arrived on time, and shown to the table, given...

Having lunch in another of my local pubs, The Bell Inn in Watchet, it’s best you book your table before hand as it’s popular here, my food was fantastic and as for the pub it’s just so lovely and would always recommend this place.

Popped in after reading good reviews on TripAdvisor glad we did had a lovely dinner .very clean and friendly will return thank you

Really nice pub and the Landlord and his Staff were Lovely Nice atmosphere and the locals were friendly 😁. Good drop of Beer. THANKS. DEAN and CAROLE.

Had a Sunday lunch with our family here today (5 in all). I have a food allergy and they could not do enough for us. The Sunday Roast is worth travelling to have. Every Covid measure was in place, yet the staff were incredibly friendly...

We stopped here on our way to Lynton. We had been in Watchet 47 years ago. The Doniford camp has changed a lot. Watchet still has character left. The owner was friendly at the pub. Chatted to us for long. The lunch provided had large portion and on time. The small harbour area feels good. Parking was no problem. Many small shops around. Will visit this place again and this pub.

Such a lovely old worldly pub but owner very unfriendly he doesn't make you feel welcome at all.His daughter in law is run off her feet but a bit more welcoming than owner

Lovely welcoming pub. Food Lovely service very good .definitely recommend

Easy to book, car park next door with lots of spaces, friendly staff. Great range of drinks and food. The food was really nice. All home cooked , good sized portions and very tasty. The puddings were huge!

Food was amazing and fresh, little trip from the haven park to Watchet and found this hidden gem. Definitely recommend stopping here.

We walked into a completely empty pub and asked for a table for two people, for drinks only. This was at 4pm on a Saturday afternoon and not a single table was occupied. The landlord stated that no tables were available as all were “fully booked for dinner”. We repeated that we only required one quick drink and would be gone well before the dinner bookings turned up. The landlord wasn’t interested so we went to another establishment in Watchet which was quite full but still found space for us. Avoid this establishment at all costs.

Called here lunchtime today (with hubbie & small dog - both well behaved) & asked if there was room in the beer garden for us to sit to get a drink & something to eat. The gentleman behind the bar went to look, came back & said no. Ok, we said, how about inside? He looked around the half dozen or so empty tables in his bar and said no. We left, through the beer garden ( with two empty tables) and went to the Esplanade Club in the harbour - cracking service & lovely drinks.

We love coming to Watchet for the day and were so pleased to be able to eat at The Bell Inn again. The last time was before the first lockdown, and we managed to come again yesterday, just one day before the second lockdown. The staff were welcoming, as before, even thought they'd be forced to close later that day. Claire served us, such a charming lass! I had fish n chips, my companion had sausage, eggs and chips. Everything was delicious! Fish batter crisp, fish in large flakes, chips perfect. All safety arrangements were in place, and the toilets are pristine. There is also a very attractive, rustic, backyard on the way out. We'll be back!

Gorgeous cozy pub in the town centre Booked a table here for drinks one evening. Great selection of real local ales and ciders. Great list of gins. Warm and friendly welcome and great service. Lots of people having meals which looked really good too. Worth a visit.

Below average food & surly landlord, just unnecessary! However, the waitress was very pleasant & helpful...

Lovely pub, waitress was polite, food delicious and plentiful Plastic separators for COVID-19, tables cleaned once used

Visited for lunch after a ramble on Blue Anchor beach on the only sunny day this week!. Felt safe due to Covid regulations being in place. All the staff were very friendly and helpful .The food was excellent and tasty and it was a nice touch to have the option of baked potatoes rather than just chips! Clean plates all round.Portions are generous and prices very reasonable. Maybe too generous? Before eating we had our eye on the rhubarb crumble for 'afters' but were too full to even have a cup of coffee!Would definitely return.A very minor point was that the fresh salad accompanying the main courses had a quite vinegary dressing on it. Older tums sometimes find this difficult to deal with so might be nice to put some in a little bowl so people have the option?

Lovely little pub. Really helpful staff. Food is brilliant value for money. The macaroni cheese is the best I’ve ever had. Felt very Covid secure.

Visited the bell twice in the week we where holidaying in nearby blue anchor , second time we booked in for a meal at lunchtime and have to say we weren’t disappointed . The safety measures put in place for Covid were excellent , with Perspex screens separating each table , staff were friendly and seemed genuinely pleased to see everyone who entered . My wife chose the 3 cheese Mac n cheese and says it was the best she has ever had while I went for the homemade steak and ale pie which was awesome , and it was a real pie with pastry sides and lid not one of these so called pies that only has a pastry lid . I washed this down with a couple of pints of cheddar valley cider , LUSH !!! Very friendly and welcoming proper pub , well done to landlord and staff .

Visited four times during our week stay in Watchet. Loved it. Food fresh, generous and good value. They spoiled us and our dogs rotten. Had a lovely bottle of wine with the fab Sunday roast, but it was the last one. They made sure more was ordered for our lunches later in the week. Grumpy landlord? I think not. Landlord maketh the pub and who wants a boring host? Will be back in October and can’t wait.Lovely family run pub. Cannot recommend enough.

We had booked into The Bell Inn for our first evening, while on holiday in Watchet for a week. They didn’t seem to be serving food for very long each evening and we had to eat early. But it was excellent pub food and the “Paul’s Plonk” house wine was really good value. I really liked this pub and can heartily recommend a couple of pints of Tribute and the steak pie with chips and vegetables. We were there during COVID precautions but table service was friendly and excellent.

Value for money excellent Service also excellent MY son 10 years old said it was the best meal he has had in all of the holiday

Fantastic pub , the food is fantastic - freshly cooked and a great menu to choose from . The staff are so accommodating and friendly . We regularly go as a family to this pub .

Delicious food served by a very friendly Clare but unless you’re a local you may well find the landlord surly and quite rude. Even though we had booked he expected us to know which table was reserved (for locals) without putting any notice on it or offering any explanation- we were just supposed to know - and, whilst he put the vinegar bottle on the table, he threw/emptied the salt and pepper sachets onto the same table. He needs to learn some table manners and welcome all customers, not just locals.Such a pity but we won’t be going back.

Lovely special curry of the day. Kids meals were quality food, and arrived quickly (& importantly first, before the grown up meals!). Grown up meals also great, tasty spicy curry of the day and wife thought the burger was a great one. Local ice cream a lovely pudding too. Friendly to kids, with great service. Especially well set up for coronavirus, shields between tables, one way system and eat out to help out making it great value.

Great little pub. Good food and fine wine and ales served by lovely folk. My favourite pub in West Somerset. The vegetarian food is regrettably not a healthy option , they need to research what is healthy. Other food is excellent, if a little stodgy.

We ordered the Sunday lunch to take away and had a great meal, the vegetarian option was amazing! We ate lunch and an evening meal also and were not disappointed on either occasion, the prices were very reasonable. All in all a great pub with friendly staff and great service.

We were in Watchet for the day and decided there was only one place to eat - The Bell Inn! We were deeply impressed by the security arrangements, including perspex screens between tables, only three people allowed in each group, regular cleaning of tables and toilets. The fish and chips were superb (must be the best chips I've ever had, without question!). Plus, the beautiful and kind waitress mended my handbag where the zip had got caught in the material. I was all for cutting it, but she managed to do it without damaging the bag. We love Watchet and especially The Bell Inn!