Volume II | A curiously different abode – The Bell in Ticehurst

A proper pub and a lively hub of the village

For the second leg of our trip, we journeyed across Kent to a characterful pub-with-rooms in Ticehurst.

CURIOUSLY different, delightfully surprising, a welcoming hub and an unexpected treat - that’s The Bell in Ticehurst.. ‘Apparently’. The Bell is a brilliantly eccentric pub and restaurant with seven rooms and four lodges to enjoy deep copper bathtubs, comfiest beds, uneven floors, and rickety staircases, whilst drooling over quirky design features in every nook, along with exuberant art and a creative menu featuring British classics with a French influence.

Situated on the Kent-East Sussex border, in the in the pretty, rural village of Ticehurst The Bell is a characterful pub-with-rooms, and home-away-from-home. The quirky abode has undergone a complete transformation from new owners, and reopening in 2011 – the result is utterly charming. All of the rooms have their own distinctive style, using an earthy, warm palette, a quirky mix of furnishings, beyond comfortable beds, and delicious homemade cookies. It's the perfect little hideaway to take a relaxing break from the hustle and bustle of daily life, with all areas being dog-friendly. There are also four whimsical lodges, designed as the perfect hideaway for a wildly romantic escape. It’s a delightfully welcoming hub and a cosy bolthole, suited to couples looking to hunker down and larger groups keen to explore the area, with a gastro-pub style restaurant, serving delicious, unpretentious food.  

Art + history

Dating back to the 1500s, the pub has retained many of its original features and oozes character with a bold and eclectic design that will capture your imagination at every turn; think chunky beams, uneven floors and expressive art – including a collection of Tracey Emin, Henry Moore, Banksy, Graham Sutherland and Picasso, as well as a limited edition signed print by Francis Bacon. The friendly staff will enjoy telling you spooky tales of the pub’s previous inhabitants over your eggs benedict at breakfast.

Stay

A welcoming hub, boasting seven rooms, along with four lodges all of which welcome dogs with a cosy bed and treats; the eleven guest rooms make a great base to explore the area, and are home to some quirky design features, including silver birch branches (a nod to the derivation of Ticehurst’s name, which is “the wooded hill where goats graze”), upside-down tiles and randomly placed light features. Eschewing room numbers, each of The Bell’s guest rooms has its own distinctive name, from ‘The Benefit of the Doubt’ and ‘Hush of Trees’ to ‘Smiles of Memories.’

We stayed in The Moon Wild with its bare wooden floors and earthy palette, colourful art, sumptuous fabrics and original brick-fireplace. The cute bathroom stole the show with its large black and white floor-tiles and deep copper tub – a little bit offbeat, a little bit luxe.

A proper pub!

The Bell is every inch a proper pub with an informal yet efficient service and friendliest staff, happy to offer insight into the building’s curious history. The hub of the village, it’s a superb spot to meet friends, eat, drink and celebrate occasions. Secret suppers and celebratory meals can be hosted, either in the Stable or in the glorious ‘Big Room’ with its twin fireplaces, 12 chandeliers and wallpaper exclusively designed by artist, Melissa White. At the heart of the pub, the original bar has been left intact, alongside centuries-old beams and forgotten inglenook fireplaces, creating an atmospheric experience from the minute you enter. It was a joy to step outside and discover the beautiful gardens, designed by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal garden designer, Jo Thompson, who lives in the village.

Dine

Expect a creative menu, featuring British cuisine with a French influence by head Chef, Mark Charker, who cut his culinary teeth at Ockenden Manor Hotel, working under their Michelin Star chef. The main bar area offers pub-classics including fish and chips, pies, burgers and a fabulous Sunday roast, whereas The Stables is an indulgent fine dining experience with a five-course tasting menu, paired with wines and bespoke cocktails – to take you through the evening

For a casual bite, order the polenta chips and deliciously-moreish marmite gravy - a great veggie take on a classic Sunday roast, enjoyed by the inglenook fire.

And for something a little more fancy, the ‘La-Di-Da’ five-course tasting menu showcases exquisitely playful creations from land-to-sea – think locally sourced meats and fish, seasonal fruits, wines and cheeses and alluring puddings.

Explore

The Bell provides a great spot to escape urban life and breathe in some country air.

There are a handful of walks through the fields directly behind the pub, or a short car journey will take you to Bedgebury Pinetum, there’s also a great beach at Winchelsea or the expansive Camber Sands, backed by sand dunes, a particularly popular spot if you’re staying with your dog in tow.

The pub is also close to National Trust-owned Sissinghurst Castle Garden and Tillingham Winery for tours and tastings  - a natural and biodynamic wine producer and holistically-managed farmstead, rooted in the east Sussex countryside - and popular town of Rye with its rich history, cobbled streets and red-brickwork buildings, renowned eateries and brilliant independents.

There’s also the historic town of Hastings and Royal Tunbridge Wells - renowned for being a growing foodie-destination in Kent.

 The Bell is a great spot to have on your radar for a comfortable night’s getaway or a stopover on route to London or beyond - geared to foodies, art-lovers and anyone looking to explore the garden of England from a curiously different kind of homely hub.

To book a table or a room at The Bell, visit https://www.thebellinticehurst.com

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