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Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill

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Popular 15th-century coaching inn, where beamed bars feature wood panelling and carvings, run by the same family since 1938. Note the hot cross bun collection; a bun has been added every Good Friday for more than 100 years. Three regular beers plus two guests, including ales from Essex breweries. The award-winning restaurant is open daily, lunchtimes and evenings (booking advisable). Gourmet nights are held - see website for details. Accommodation is available in 26 bedrooms.

Information for this venue is provided by the Thurrock Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Local Authority
Thurrock (B)
Last updated
01/03/2025
Last surveyed
18/02/2025
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
unknown
Pub ID
ESW/10345
Asset of Community Value

The 14th/15th century Bell at Horndon-on-the-Hill is worth a visit to see the public bar which has remained virtually unchanged since 1958. The painting dated 1948 over the (modern) fireplace shows a smaller room with a 1930s counter. In 1958 the room was extended back and new bar fittings added by Charringtons; panelling to match the 1930s ones were added to the rear section. The front left room with half timbered walls was the lounge bar until 1976 when the front door was blocked up and an old fireplace removed. The room is now used by diners but does retain the 1958 counter (the bar back looks more modern). There was a small snug which is now the first section of a further dining room but also has a 1958 bar counter.

Upstairs the 'Room At The Top' is another dining room with one half timbered wall. Look for the hot cross buns hanging in the saloon bar which is a tradition started about 90 years old. Jack Turnell took over the Bell on a Good Friday and marked the occasion by hanging a bun from a beam. It's a tradition that has continued ever since - now the oldest person in the village (or at least the oldest available on the day) hangs the bun. The tradition even continued during the war - a concrete bun bearing witness to the shortage of food. In the same family ownership for 50 years.

The 14th/15th century Bell at Horndon-on-the-Hill is worth a visit to see the public bar which has remained virtually unchanged since 1958. The painting dated 1948 over the (modern) fireplace shows a smaller room with a 1930s counter. In 1958 the room was extended back and new bar fittings added by Charringtons; panelling to match the 1930s ones were added to the rear section. The front left room with half timbered walls was the lounge bar until 1976 when the front door was blocked up and an old fireplace removed. The room is now used by diners but does retain the 1958 counter (the bar back looks more modern). There was a small snug which is now the first section of a further dining room but also has a 1958 bar counter.

Upstairs the 'Room At The Top' is another dining room with one half timbered wall. Look for the hot cross buns hanging in the saloon bar which is a tradition started about 90 years old. Jack Turnell took over the Bell on a Good Friday and marked the occasion by hanging a bun from a beam. It's a tradition that has continued ever since - now the oldest person in the village (or at least the oldest available on the day) hangs the bun. The tradition even continued during the war - a concrete bun bearing witness to the shortage of food. In the same family ownership for 50 years.

General information about historic pub interiors
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Monday
Noon - 10:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 10:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 10:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 10:00pm
Friday
Noon - 11:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 11:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 9:00pm
Monday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Tuesday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Wednesday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Thursday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Friday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Saturday
Noon - 2:00pm & 5:30pm - 9:00pm
Sunday
Noon - 6:00pm

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Current beers

This Pub serves 2 changing beers (No fixed beer source) and 3 regular beers.

Regular and recently seen

Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold TasteMatch Prediction

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Crouch Vale - Beers - Brewers Gold - Cask Ale
Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold Session Pale Ale • 4% Spotted 3 times.
Crouch Vale - Beers - Brewers Gold - Cask Ale
Crouch Vale - Brewers Gold

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 3 times. recently. Last spotted 2 days ago at Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Pale Ale
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Greene King - IPA TasteMatch Prediction

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GREENE KING IPA PUMP CLIP FRONT
Greene King - IPA Session Bitter • 3.4%
GREENE KING IPA PUMP CLIP FRONT
Greene King - IPA

This beer is served regularly at Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill.

ABV 3.4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Sharp's - Doom Bar TasteMatch Prediction

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Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar Session Bitter • 4%
Sharp's Doom Bar Pump Clip-1
Sharp's - Doom Bar

This beer is served regularly at Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill.

ABV 4%
Dispense Handpump
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Greene King - Radical Hoprimist TasteMatch Prediction

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Greene King - Radical Hoprimist
Greene King - Radical Hoprimist Session Bitter • 4.2% Spotted twice.
Greene King - Radical Hoprimist
Greene King - Radical Hoprimist

Spotted twice. recently. Last spotted 2 days ago at Bell Inn, Horndon-on-the-Hill.

ABV 4.2%
Style Session Bitter
Colour
Vegan No
Gluten Free No

Source: National


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Disabled Access Disabled Access
Parking Parking
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
Dogs not allowed in restaurant
Accommodation Accommodation
26 Rooms available
Function Room Function Room
Three function rooms available for private dining room hire or meetings
Newspapers Newspapers
Real Fire Real Fire
Restaurant Restaurant
In addition to the pub restaurants (both downstairs and upstairs) there is also The Ostlers restaurant adjoining the pub
Separate Bar Separate Bar
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
AccessAble
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Beer Festival Beer Festival
Coincides with Horndon Feast & Fayre
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (100m)
Central Connect: 375 (Monday to Saturday daytimes on;y)
Ordnance Survey Reference
Directions
Near centre of village, almost opp the Woolmarket and Orsett Rd

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