The Bell on the Common in Wiltshire - Phone Number, Reservations, Reviews

Change in management and menu. Food was OK but not to the same high standard under the previous management.

We were a party of 16 - tables for use were laid in advance and we had a friendly greeting from the staff. Orders were taken efficiently from an extensive menu. Food arrived earlier than we expected; it was well cooked and plates were hot. We really enjoyed eating here. We felt prices were very reasonable. The main cook/chef paid us a short visit for a brief chat.

16 of us from Trowbridge French Twinning enjoyed a really excellent lunch after (sadly) not being able to use the boules piste because of persistent rain. But the lunch more than compensated. People were very impressed with the range of choices, the quality of the food and cooking, the service and value for money. The decor and ambience were also commented on. Great pub, great food.

Thanks Heather for looking after us. Great home cooked food and she likes people from the local Military Show!!

Beautiful country garden. Old and quaint inside. Really quiet and relaxing. Did eat .

We came for a special lunch time memorial lunch, we were met with confusion when we weren’t to sure how to get in with the doors locked. A nice welcome , by staff chatting and was sat on a table which had not been laid with cutlery. We ordered two wines a small and medium and received a medium and large both glasses with old lip stick stains on. Until the end of the meal we were not shown the price due to there being no wine menu a shock found when a large glass was over £13. Once given a menu we disappointed with the selection not what we expected with the location and scenery of the pub, we had prior tried to find a menu online but was unsuccessful now we know why. The food was fair not too bad but nothing exciting almost too much of the bland flavour. Overall the menu did not match the ridiculous price of wine.

Great little place, came in and sat at the bar had a chat with the owners and some locals. The bartender was super, I think his name was Joe but he provided a great service.

We wanted to try the local beer so stopped off at The Bell. It was empty apart from the new tenants and their big dogs occupying the Public Bar. It was not a good look but we stayed and took our drinks into the pub garden. The new tenants spoke about changes that they want to make. I think that not occupying the public bar would be a good start! It is not welcoming.

Very overpriced for tasteless, ready made fish and chips. Helpful and charming waitress. Will not be returning, a complete waste of money.

We stopped here after looking around Great Chalfield Manor, we had a fabulous lunch & service was excellent, even had Vegetarian options for our friends. We would recommend

If you’re a publican, you’d think you’d have the basic critical thinking skills to check the gas if a customer brought back a flat drink. It’s not a personal attack and is easily resolved.

Boldly, there are no vegan offerings beyond soup. The halloumi sticks from the starters were good with triple cooked chips and salad, which the staff kindly assembled as a dish. Other vegetarian options are a Margarita pizza or Mac’n’cheese.

I rarely bother leaving a negative review but felt compelled to warn other people about the owners. I can only assume it is a "locals pub" that doesn't welcome tourists. 5 of us are cycling through Wiltshire. My wife ordered a Pepsi and on tasting it we all felt it was flat and that the pubs gas needed changing. My wife went inside to tell them it was flat and the lady dismissed her concern, telling her that she could see bubbles in the Pepsi. One of our friends runs two pubs so we were sure it was flat. My wife, who is 7 months pregnant, was shocked with the landlady's response and repeated that she thought it was flat. The landlaDy then said "well, what do you want then" in a harsh tone. My wife felt the response was hostile so said she didn't want anything and went to leave the pub. The lady called after her saying "what did you not understand about asking what else you wanted." We'd hoped she would check the gas and refresh the Pepsi but instead she berated my wife who came back out to us upset and feeling deeply unwelcome. Best to avoid this pub if you're not from the area !!

Great lasagne, steak and chips. Lovely atmosphere and lovely landlady!

What a lucky find for us this afternoon. We couldn’t have been made to feel more welcome and comfortable. The food was fantastic (Sunday Roast), the pub was a homely and true 'country pub' setting and the hosts were just lovely people. We live quite far from here, but will make the journey back again.

There was just two of us on Wed afternoon and we popped in for a drink Typical local pub - lovely welcome fire and lovely setting Dogs were in front of the bar to step over - lovely dogs though I personally thought we could have been made to feel a little more welcome and an attempt at friendly conversation be made

Lovely Sunday lunch. Went with family there were 4 of us. Lovely friendly welcoming pub fantastic food. Pascal is a brilliant chef and Penny and the staff do a great job serving.

I went in here with a group of friends after a walk. Most of us only wanted coffee. The bar man was very rude to us, swearing and saying we should have booked! We didn't want a meal, only coffee. We left and won't be going in there again.

I have to be honest with you, from the minute I walked in the door, expecting cosy and welcoming, I was looked at like a bailiff. Not really what I would call a warm welcome. Firstly, the drink prices are out of this world, I know we are in the midst of economic crisis, but my goodness, over £6 for a pint. Daylight robbery. Then came the food, which if a) it wasn't cold, and b) I felt like I was in court being watched by the chef, I would have said it was OK at best. Strange to walk into a pub and to feel that you've brought dog waste in on your shoe isn't really the reception one expects. I won't return, and I won't recommend. Another village nearby to try next time

I was told about this place by a neighbour when I first moved into a village down the road. The first time I went I missed lunch as I walked and got lost. I hadn't realised they stopped serving lunch after a certain time. When I decided one Sunday to make sure I got to have lunch there I was not disappointed. It was honestly one of the nicest meals in a while. It turns out the chef was French and you could tell he properly knew his stuff. I had the Duck pictured below. It had a proper reduced jus and amazing potato dophinoua. I had a pudding too, of crumble I think. But to be honest I was just enjoying myself too much to remember to take photos by then. I had already chatted to the local staff as I had before. I had been a couple of times before for a coke and to read as I found it so friendly and cosy. But the Sunday lunch was well worth going for. The whole pub has a very oldie worldy feel to it and just feels appropriately refined and almost nostalgic, to sit and have a lovely cooked meal in. Worth a visit for sure.

One of our regular pubs. Sat in the garden and had a lovely light lunch. Food and service were super as usual. Great village pub with varied menu and good range of beers and wines.

We we were staying on holiday in the area and decided to try a meal here. The menu offers interesting and more extensive choices than the usual pub menu. The dining room was cosy and traditional in style. I chose confit duck and my friend that day’s special, fish stew. We both had creme brûlée to finish which came with a sable biscuit, a blackcurrant compote and a slice of orange, apple and strawberry. Everything was cooked to order, well presented, generous in amount with good quality ingredients. We would heartily recommend Bell on The Common based on our experience.

Food in this pub is excellent Service very good. Ambiance a little drab. But will really recommend it.

Had no reservation, turned up on a Saturday evening, but made to feel very welcome. Food was excellent , especially the salmon and crab starter.

Great pub. Good choice of ale and a wicked ploughman’s lunch.

We have eaten at a lot of places that look really good online but don’t quite live up to the expectation when you get there. We had only popped in for a mid afternoon pint whilst passing and liked the feel of the place so decided to ask about evening meals and to see the menu. For us there was a lot of things on there that we would choose. The night of the meal we found the staff very friendly and the service was good. The food was also very good once we has managed to choose what we were going for. My wife had the lamb, which although promised to be slightly rare at lots of restaurants ,never seems to be. it was tonight (as wanted). I chose (wrong name but like a) fish stew. Normally there would be a couple of bits of seafood to tick the box,not this. There was lots of different seafood including crab claws with required instruments to crack it and dig out the meat. Our only disappointment is that we were here on our last night of our holiday and won’t be able to go back, but what a very pleasant and pleasing end to a very good week away Than you

Lovely location and fine example of old village pub. Good pint of 6X bitter. Bar staff struggled to serve large group who arrived after a funeral. Grumpy and abrupt attitude. Nice sunny garden are. We did not order food - as were told they had a large group booked.

Un welcoming atmosphere and service throughout. Menu is pretty basic food was ok was never asked if we were ok or enjoying our food, which is sign off lack of care. Premium steak was grizzly and fatty and not enjoyable

Popped in on the off chance, cold beer in a sunny garden with a lovely view.

Food was great, service very slow.

Had a simple but delicious ploughmans lunch. Would definitely have lunch there again.

My family have been here a few times for the Sunday roast, and have never been disappointed.

We became aware when we were sat in the snug that there was a camera pointed at us either filming us or listening to us or both. We finished our one drink and left.We will not go there again.

Great atmosphere and a win on the Grand National, lovely pint of Wadsworth 6X

Delicious filled Baguettes for our Lunch

Delicious food, reasonably priced, very friendly staff. A little gem of a place.

Excellent meal and good service well worth a visit

I hadn’t been there before but it was lovely. The food was amazing and the people were friendly and nothing was too much trouble.There was nine people on our table we all thoroughly enjoyed our meal. We will definitely be back.

We have been meaning to try this for a while and finally got round to booking lunch. This is a lovely pub in a nice village location. We had a friendly welcome and efficient service. My husband and I shared salt and pepper squid to start which was tender with a light batter. The Boullabaisse was the highlight..... So much fish and shellfish and a delicious broth. Better than we had had in the South of France! My husband's burger was homemade so could have taken a bit less cooking but was tasty all the same. Very reasonable considering the high standard and portion size. Our new favourite.

Food was nice, friendly place, not to loud, relaxing atmosphere, perfect for a nice lunch as we had today. Should imagine it's just as nice in the evening as well.

Very traditional pub but with good food. Outside space and plenty of room inside. Friendly welcome from a proper pub in a spectacular location.

Starters and desserts were amazing-the mains were good but not as good as the starters.

Hadn't booked, as a Weds, were reluctantly given a table, which as there were only two of us, & only two tables eating, we didn't understand. Ordered a latte, which was NOT a latte. Strong, bitter, no head/froth. Queried this, to be told yes, it was a latte, so more milk was added. Worst non latte, I have ever had!! Baguettes were so hard, that dentures/bad teeth couldn't have eaten them. Nobody asked whether food was ok. Will never go back. Oh & it needs a good clean in there!! Dusty, sticky, & unloved.

Old fashioned village pub with traditional pub meals, i.e.Fish and Chips, Ham Eggs and chips etc. but look at the other offerings. We went fish mad with the Fowey Mussels, Crab Bisque with all the extras and their fabulous Seafood Bouillabaisse. As good as anything we've had in France ( The chef/prop. is French!) Thanks.

A really lovely setting and very interesting pics etc displayed on the walls. The service and foods were top class

Today wasn't our first visit and it certainly won't be our last. It's often very quiet, but we have always found it friendly 😊 Stopped off today and decided on the plat du jour, resulting in simply the biggest and the best cooked pork chop I have had in many years, and what amazing value. No fancy or small portions here, just a generous portion of perfectly cooked food with a French flair and twist 😋 Can't understand what the negative reviews are about, but perhaps it wasn't airy fairy enough for them 🤔 If you like your food fresh and beautifully cooked, then this the place to go. But perhaps I should keep the secret, so I can always get a table 😉

Ok burger and rubbish scampi. However it would have been acceptable except for the overpowering smell of metal polish from the copper tables and the miserable atmosphere caused by the sour waitress. Seriously ! so many businesses are closing down and you can't be bothered to crack a smile of welcome to your customers. Staff training urgently required.

Great Sunday lunch reasonably priced in todays current economic climate

Have eaten here quite a few times so was happy to persuade my family to come out from Bath for a meal. They all loved the food and the service as usual was friendly and efficient. Good pub food with Pascal's French twist. Popular on Friday and Saturdays so booking advised.

Awful experience. Arrived at 12.15 and sat in the garden. Asked for a lunch menu while getting our drinks only to be told they were too busy to serve us. There were no customers inside and 2 tables taken outside. I was told they were expecting several people shortly, although there was no sign of anyone arriving for the next 20 mins. I asked if they could just make us a sandwhich as my 10 year old was really hungry. I was rudely told "no, we only have one chef". Such a shame as we drove here especially and it's a lovely spot with good beer. Terrible customer service :-(

So disappointing. Turned up when the place was mostly empty but told (after I'd ordered drinks) that they would not serve us food "because we're expecting some big tables to arrive in the next 10 minutes". As we finished our drinks 30 mins later the place was still mostly empty. Terrible customer service. Decamped to the Water Meadow in Melksham where we were warmly greeted and served with food.

Awful experience. Arrived at 12.15 and sat in the garden. Asked for a menu for lunch while getting our drinks only to be told they were too busy to serve us. There were no customers inside and 2 tables taken outside. I was told they were expecting several people shortly, although there was no sign of anyone arriving. I asked if they could just make us a sandwhich as my 10 year old was really hungry. I was rudely told "no, we only have one chef". Such a shame as we drove here especially and it's a lovely spot with good beer. Terrible customer service.

So disappointing. Turned up when the place was mostly empty but told (after I'd ordered drinks) that they would not serve us food "because we're expecting some big tables to arrive in the next 10 minutes". As we finished our drinks 30 mins later the place was still mostly empty. Terrible customer service. Decamped to the Water Meadow in Melksham where we were warmly greeted and served with food.

Wonderful food, well prepared and served in a wonderful location.

We both chose Chicken curry, excellent, also the 6x was perfect, very enjoyable lunch, recommended.

Small pub, dog friendly and close to my nans!

An excellent meal this evening. Friendly and helpful staff and a lovely atmosphere . Great to see a pub busy. Would highly recommend

Very good pub food was excellent

Amazing food, the best I have had in along time. Great price. A secret gem of a place

Friendly service, great food and good portions. There was only one members of staff on at the time but she was still so friendly and quick on her feet that there was no delay in service despite there being several busy tables in for lunches.

Just come home from an amazing Valentine meal at The Bell on the Common. Everything was perfect. How sweet to put a rose on the table for the women. The freebie Sparkling wine with raspberries and flavoured with rose was wonderful as was the canopies. There were petals adorning the tables too. Felt really spoilt. All the dishes were cooked to perfection, and the beef fillets were huge and so tender. I had Vennison, yum yum. The meal was finished off with homemade chocolates. Thank you Pascal, Penny, Maddie and anyone else working. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️👏👏🐸

great friendly pub with good food

Beautiful pub. Excellent service . Comfortable seating. Lovely atmosphere. Was here for lunch. We has stilton and broccoli home made soup. Delisious. With a latte . Price £16. Well worth the money. I will be returning for a evening meal.

Not had a bad meal here post lock down. Such a gem of pub. Staff are fantastic and super friendly. Food is really good and fresh. Beer choices are good for a brewery pub as is the quality of the wine. Lucky to have this in our village.

For the owner and their staff. Welcoming and friendly. The food is beautifully presented and the taste is delicious. Definitely coming here again.

Always great beer and food! The owners and staff always make you feel welcome! Great pub! Bravo

A perfect country pub with great atmosphere and exceptionally delicious food, especially the seafood and the chicken supreme. The deserts were also homemade and excellent, looking forward to our next meal at the Bell.

Popped in for lunch today and had a fantastic meal. Fish was perfectly cooked, sauce delicious. Highly recommended.

Excellent meal, Excellent staff, Excellent over all ! 👍

Very welcoming, lovely food and a very friendly barman called Tom. Would recommend th all my friends to visit.

The lasagna was very good the Risotto was not as good. The staff were not very welcoming. The place was very clean . We asked if we could eat in the restaurant and were told they were for people who book . While we were there two people asked if they could eat in the restaurant and had not booked and were told to go ahead . There was plenty of empty tables so why were we not offered one.

Love the beer garden, it was a great place to stop after a hard cycle.

Excellent service, value for money pub grub. Spotless premises.

Rather disappointing I'm sorry to say. The service was fine but the meal was rather lacklustre. We had soup to start and it was nice but the main course of chicken supreme was lacking in flavour and the vegetables were undercooked. The 'supreme' was rather small and actually not a supreme at all; it was a chicken portion on the bone and with skin on. This is not the definition of a supreme. Certainly it did not have the appearance of the item shown in the menu photograph. I also believe that the chef was not in attendance that evening and that the cooking, or possibly the reheating, was carried out by another staff member as I did not see a chef in the kitchen when I looked in. All in all it didn't represent good value for money; sorry.

Our Village Pub The Bell on the Common has been a godsend during lockdowns, serving amazing takeaways. The food is cooked fresh and delicious. With lockdowns easing and being able to eat in again,socially distanced, we are delighted to be eating back in the Copper Bar. A big “thank you” to Pascal and Penny, Chef and Wife, who together personally run this place, and to Tom, the friendly helpful Barman/Waiter. We are lucky that Pascal does a Plat du Jour on Wednesday to Saturday, in addition to normal menu, and a delicious Sunday Roast. Booking is recommended as so many regulars return.

A great little pub! A wide range of menu choices and a great specials menu. The food arrived promptly and was delicious. We started with the charcutrie. The meats were really flavourful and it was a great sharing starter for three. After that, we ordered the fish and chips, the portion size was good and it came with the best tartar sauce I have ever had. The staff were very friendly and attentive. Overall we had a lovely time and will visit again.

This was my second visit to the Bell in as many weeks. The first time I had the cheese ploughman’s and today, a bacon Brie and cranberry baguette. The 3 others with me all lived their meals too. Not only are the flavours amazing but the portions are so generous. I will definitely be going back again.

Beautiful county pub/restaurant. Had lunch there today and could not fault any part of the meal. Outside garden was a great bonus with the beautiful weather today. Would highly recommend the food atmosphere and the lovely lady running the bar today 5*

OUr first visit to The Bell and were delighted with the service, food and the resaonable prices. Staff welcoming and friendly. Very varied menus from Sandwiches to Steaks and everything in between. Attractive bar area and restaurant. Thoroughly enjoyed our visit and well certainly retuen....

Very frosty unwelcoming dirty place to visit. We explained I had a hidden disability and due to operations on my throat I am unable to eat unless I have a hot drink to be able to swallow so would the food be able to be...

What a lovely place to visit. We had a lovely meal in the lovely sunny garden washed down with a lovely pint or two. Excellent value, would recommend to all. Well done to the Bell on the common

Great food and service at reasonable prices

Superb lunch today. Had the ham hock, salmon and crab (to start). Then the cod on leek fondue - could not fault. Not close to home for me but will travel to eat here again!

Absolutely incredible! The Bell on The Common served us the best food we could have asked for for our first pub trip in a year. We had the ham, egg and chips, the chicken supreme and the sea bass (plat du jour for today) and they were all exceptional! Staff were friendly and efficient and they’ve got a marquee outside. Definitely coming back!

Lovely pub and lovely food. Really good Covid precautions in place so you can feel safe going for a meal.

Excellent place staff very professional. All worked well through the current situation.

Become a favourite place to eat

Great food, great freindly service, great chef. I really hope that they manage to survive the latest lockdown intact. Looking forward to you opening again in a month's time 😎

Hubbie and I had another great meal here last night 30 Oct. Social distancing in Restaurant. I had the Plat du Jour, Fish Pie, which was crammed full of fish and seafood in a very tasty sauce topped with piped mashed potato, served with a...

Food lovely and staff are very helpful.

A third visit and another great meal. Lovely staff and love the special menu and plat du jour that change regularly. All the bread served alongside meals is also delicious. The crab bisque we tried today was delicious.

Service and staff excellent. Goats cheese tart very good, steak was undercooked, scampi and onion rings tasteless. Tiny ice cream portions. 6x ale was excellent....whole bill over £100 for a very average meal. Eat out to help out softened the blow...

Absolutely fabulous food and great service

Visited when pubs opened after lockdown. All regulations were begin followed. We had a really good time and food was particularly good. I would thoroughly recommend this pub.

Just had one of the best meals I have had for a few years Smoked salmon and crab with beetroot mouse ( out of this world ) and to follow Special steak Bavette shallot Ju’s OMG 👌 And cheap for fine dining food £19 for...

Nice pub but very expensive. A lager shandy and half of orange juice and lemonade £8. 80p. No thanks sorry.

The French chef Pasqual took over the pub a year ago and has a special ‘dish of the day’ which is supurb. I have recently eaten there 3 times and as the main event of the plat d.jour I have eaten sea trout, then a...

Good food, pleasant location, relaxed

Delicious bouillabaisse with really authentic flavours and lots of fish/ shell fish pieces.

OMG! The best place to go for a meal out. A little pricey but so worth it. The staff are friendly too