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Old Bell Inn, Rye

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33 The Mint, Rye, TN31 7EN (View on Google Map)
  • Historic Interior

Claimed to be the oldest pub in Rye, this wonderful 15th century building, extended about 200 years later, is located amongst the cobbled streets of Rye. It has a dark wood interior and a bare wooden boarded floor and a small garden at the front. There are two handpumps on the bar counter and a limited food menu. Cask beers include house beers, one or other of Old Bell Bitter or Old Bell Pale have been on offer at different times, both from Laine Brewery.

In addition the pub often does not adhere to its published opening hours.

Information for this venue is provided by the South East Sussex Branch of CAMRA
Previous Names
Olde Bell Inn
Local Authority
Rother District
Last updated
12/09/2024
Last surveyed
29/11/2013
Leasehold owner
unknown
Freehold owner
Punch Pubs & Co (Punch Taverns)
Pub ID
HES/RYEAB-4500
Asset of Community Value

One star - A pub interior of special national historic interest

Listed status: II

The interior retains a substantial amount of fittings from the 1934 refit. Originally it consisted of three rooms - note the right hand door (no longer in use) has 'Public Bar' carved into it; middle door (also disused) has 'Private Bar' carved into it, and the only entrance is now on the left hand corner which was originally the saloon bar entrance. The public bar on the right has a distinctive style of panelling on the bar counter, half-height panelling, even on a bench, and on the doors including a narrow one (disused) between it and the private bar in the timber and brick part glazed partition wall. There is some 1930s floor to ceiling tiling in the entrance lobby, now the kitchen at the rear of the public bar.

General information about historic pub interiors

The original Bell is the genuine old half-timbered brick and tile hung building which has a shared roof with the building to the right known as 'The Mint' and they probably were one building originally. The Bell was tiny and only took extended to roughly the area of the present public bar on the right. In 1934 Star Brewery of Eastbourne purchased Gasson's Warehouse to the left (part was a blacksmith's shop) and demolished it. The redesign of the pub is thought to be by Eastbourne's radical architect Andrew Ford, who was employed by Star Brewery. A mock Tudor extension was added in alternative brick and stone and the corner entrance is topped by a stone arch featuring a bell.

The interior retains a substantial amount of fittings from the 1934 refit. Originally it consisted of three rooms - note the right hand door (no longer in use) has 'Public Bar' carved into it; middle door (also disused) has 'Private Bar' carved into it, and the only entrance is now on the left hand corner which was originally the saloon bar entrance. The public bar on the right has a distinctive style of panelling on the bar counter, half-height panelling, even on a bench, and on the doors including a narrow one (disused) between it and the private bar in the timber and brick part glazed partition wall. There is some 1930s floor to ceiling tiling in the entrance lobby, now the kitchen at the rear of the public bar.

A gap has been cut in recent times between the left and right rooms. The saloon bar on the left has a fielded panelled bar counter (it has a replacement top) and fielded panelling on the dado; the bar back fitting looks like a 1960s replacement. Original doors to 'Ladies Only' and the gents', which are remarkably intact with floor to ceiling 1930s tiling and three large urinals - the ladies also has 1930s floor to ceiling tiling.

General information about historic pub interiors
Monday
11:00am - 10:00pm
Tuesday
11:00am - 10:00pm
Wednesday
11:00am - 10:00pm
Thursday
11:00am - 10:00pm
Friday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday
11:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday
11:00am - 9:00pm
Monday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Tuesday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Wednesday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Thursday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Friday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Saturday
11:30am - 9:00pm
Sunday
11:30am - 8:00pm

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Current beers

This Pub serves 1 changing beer (from Laine Brewery) and 1 regular beer.

Regular and recently seen

Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter TasteMatch Prediction

View beer
Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter Session Bitter • 4% Spotted 14 times.
Sussex Best Bitter - Harvey's
Harvey's - Sussex Best Bitter

This beer is served regularly and Spotted 14 times. at Old Bell Inn, Rye.

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

Source: Local


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Facilities
Lunchtime Meals Lunchtime Meals
Often operates as a restaurant to the exclusion of those just wanting drinks
Evening Meals Evening Meals
Summer only
Garden Garden
Family Friendly Family Friendly
Dog Friendly Dog Friendly
When not serving food
Games Games
Darts
Smoking Smoking
Wi Fi Wi Fi
Features
Cask Ale Cask Ale
Real Heritage Pub Real Heritage Pub
Quiet Quiet
Transport
Close to bus routes (200m)
Nearby Station (200m)
Rye (Sussex)

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