July 2011 - New
The Bell is a real 'gem' of a find. Close to Blenheim Palace and Woodstock, it also benefits from its position in the countryside. We had one of the larger rooms (No 3) and believe me it had everything you could want - it was beautifully and tastefully decorated and well appointed. We had a meal in the restaurant and the staff were very attentive and the food was lovely. We loved our stay at The Bell and will be visiting again!
Wendy K, Kidderminster, England
January 2011 - New
Excellent!! i would go out of my way to stay here again!!
This is one of the best places I have ever stayed. It is very clean, all of the staff very friendly and rooms are very homely and welcoming. I have stayed here twice now, first time I stayed in Room One, which is huge!! Big bed, big room, amazing waterfall shower. This second time I stayed in Room 6, which is in the adjoining cottage, this is just as lovely. Big bed again, not as big as room 1, but still lots of room. The bathroom was spotless, with a big roll top bath. When you arrive you are welcomed by the very friendly staff, who will show you to your room and provide you with a small flask of fresh milk for your room. I would highly recommend eating in the resaurant, the food is very tasty, and service is great.
I will definitely be back if i am anywhere near. A truely lovely stay.
Andrew H, Bournemouth
11 May 2011
From the moment we arrived it matched our expectations. Beautifully set in the countryside but near to Oxford, The Bell was fabulous. We were greeted by Suzy who was very, very welcoming and after booking us in carried our bag to our room which was a very kind thing to do. The room was beautiful, in a New England style and was immaculately clean and decorated very stylishly, the bed had crisp white sheets and had a topper, the best hotel/B&B bed I have slept in. We decided having seen the dining room and menu to stay for dinner. It was great. Very varied menu, from pizza to Cote de Boeuf and a big selection of fish and Specials available and all very affordable . After a great meal, had a great night's sleep to wake the next morning and made tea in the room before taking a buffet continental breakfast. We really could have stayed another few nights but time to move on!
Date of review: 4 May 2011 - New
We visited a couple of weekends ago and after a very interesting falconry visit nearby we were reading to kick back and relax! The staff offered us a friendly welcome and our room was really great (it was the terrace room), light and airy,
and the shower was amazing, we would of liked some complimentary water in the room, but that's all.
We then sat outside and relaxed with some Pimms. We'd booked in for dinner, which I definitely recommend as the food was good and well presented and there was lots on offer. We had good service throughout the dinner, albeit from different people. We had an extremely restful night and we were also woken to wonderful birdsong - which adds to the restful experience. The breakfast was really delicious and one of the best sausages I've ever eaten!
Room Tip: Try and book the terrace room!
Definately Going Back! May 2011
Superb. I will most definately stay here again and would recommend without hesitation.
The staff are lovely, very efficient and competent. The cleanliness and quality of the room was to a very high standard. Comfy bed. Very good food, especially the breakfast, also had our evening meal there. Good quality produce used. The restaurant decor was to a good standard, lovely atmosphere.
Can't fault them at all. Looking forward to going again.
Anniversary Heaven!!!! March 2011
WOW. only word to describe this place. I booked a room at The Bell on a last minute site and got a really good deal.
My partner and I wanted to get away for our anniversary and the venue was perfection.
The room was very spacious, clean and modern. The bed was huge, comfortable and actually felt like it was
cuddleing you. The bathroom was clean and inspiring.
We went to dinner downstairs. The food was a bit pricey but did not mind paying for it as the food was divine.
All the staff were polite, relaxed and very friendly.
Breakfast was included in the price and again, did not disappoint. Freshly baked coissants and bread with a
selection of juices and cereals on offer. Can not go wrong.
If your debating whether or not to book a night at this hotel, DONT......... Just book it. you wont be sorry ......
Date of review: 28 Feb 2011
We have never written a review of a hotel before, but have just had such a great experience at The Bell Inn during our two-night stay that we wanted to put something on Trip Advisor.
The service we received was spot on - from a lovely welcome on arrival, to a friendly chat and complementary snacks whilst having a drink in the bar. All of the staff were equally delightful and helpful.
The room was very tastefully done out and as comfortable as we could have wished for, with a gorgeous and very large roll-top bath being the highlight. We were actually offered to move on the second night to one of the larger rooms, purely from the manager's hospitality (not because we had any complaints), but chose to remain in our room as it was lovely.
The village itself is very small, but as long as you have a car, you are a short and easy drive to Oxford, Woodstock (and Blenheim Palace) and Bicester Village.
The bar and restaurant are fantastic, with a great selection of drinks and food, all of which are reasonably priced. We come from Surrey which has plenty of gastropubs of its own, but none that we have visited could beat The Bell. The manager and his team are lovely, very welcoming and professional, with a personal touch that really made the stay. Thanks for such a great break!
A long overdue email to express my gratitude for the best meal
we have ever had in a public house.
If you remember, I came in from the terrace (last Friday evening)
to thank you and you kindly introduced me to your bar & waiting
staff.
Your team were attentive and helpful and were always smiling. The cutlery and
glasses were dazzling and the food was piping hot,
(crucial when dining al fresco) mouth-watering and beautifully presented. The garlic/mozzarella bread I had, still makes me want
to cry! Our Border collie (Charlie) was also well looked after and without being
asked, one of the girls took away the dog bowl you
provide and went to fill it with cold water because the water
therein had been . Sitting for a while and might be warm ! I am
a smoker and had 3 cigarettes during our few hours on the terrace.
Each time I extinguished one, the ashtray was exchanged for a
clean one. I have since been telling everyone of my experience
and this includes my Sister & Brother-in-law. They signed in for
the Bell initiation last night and will be returning ten-fold.
My sister s first words (we work together) this morning were, OMG.
They too had a fantastic time, so much so, they actually asked
if they could stay the night in one of your salubrious rooms but unfortunately,
you were fully booked. They wanted their experience
to go on and on and my Brother-in Law (who is notoriously
difficult to please), whispered to my Sister at the table, THAT
was the nicest welcome I have ever had in a pub .
I didn t go to the little girl s room during our visit but my
Sister tells me that they were spotless, ultra -modern and had
some very fine toiletries.
What more can I say? Both my Sister & my visits were as close to perfection as
is possible to get and it is a foregone conclusion
that we will be returning. As far as spreading the word further goes ..we are a
little hesitant ..we want to keep this gem all to ourselves.
Sincere thanks to you and your team for an exquisite dining
encounter and we will be seeing you all soon.
I can't be selfish I've gotta share it with you this is the best hotel in Oxford, bar non!
4* Luxury at a rate which would barely get you a B&B in the city center.(we booked with late rooms)
The finish on the bedrooms is amazing, beautiful large bed, flat screen t.v, wi-fi, masses of
cupboard space and L'Occitane toiletries. The staff were exceptionally helpful and we had supper and
breakfast in the gorgeous pub restaurant below. Breakfast was divine, your fruit comes all cut up on a
wooden board and my partner in on way complained about the supplement for a cooked breakfast as
it was top notch.
We will defiantly be back whenever we visit Oxford.
Finally the village is beautiful, extremely quiet with views out over open fields. I caught the bus from right
outside the pub into Oxford (they go once an hour, staff printed me off a time table) and take you right to
center-what could be more convenient? From KES23 York, England
We decided to have a last minute break to Oxford and found The Bell at Hampton Poyle on the web.
We rang them direct to make our reservation and was offered a briliant rate for bed & breakfast and we
also booked a table in the relaxed restaurant on the first night. The room was really lovely, modern
spotlessly clean with a huge ensuite bathroom. The food was absolutely amazing - so we booked a
table for the second night too! The cooked breakfast was delicious - very generous portions. We will
definitely stay there again - hopefully soon. The stafff were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble.
Very good value for money.
Free wifi in rooms - BONUS!
The Bell is in the countryside but the Park and Ride to Oxford was only 10-15 minutes away
(£1 each way per adult for Park & Ride is amazing value - certainly cheaper and less hassle than trying
to park in Oxford) Hertford
The hotel is in a quiet location. We took a taxi into Oxford for about £20.
The hotel is so clean and the staff are so, so knowlegeable and helpful. The bar staff knew their drinks well
and the waiters, waitresses were extremely attentive. The manager was very friendly and helpful.
The website as it stands really doesn't do the hotel the justice it deserves. The food was amazing and
the atmosphere intimate and cosy. I would and will definately stay there again. Thank you to all at The Bell
for a fantastic stay. Rfionda Marlow
In looking for a romantic retreat near to Oxford for the weekend, for my girlfriend and I, we stumbled across
the Bell at Hampton Poyle on the internet. The website looked very promising with the rooms and pub/restaurant
itself having just been re-furbished and modernised. It all looked very appealing.
We weren't disappointed.
Jerry and his colleagues were extremely welcoming and friendly and made us feel completely at home
throughout our stay. The food was great (for breakfast be sure to go for the the full English......!), the selection
of drinks was just right and the rooms were the perfect size for a quiet, romantic retreat. L'occitane bath products
were a really nice and completely unexpected touch. The bed was very, very comfortable and the bathroom
complete with free standing bath and Duravit sanitaryware, gave it a boutique hotel feel.
Jerry, the manager is as happy to advise you on the menu as he is to share stories that will hold you at the bar
all night (not so sure about the fabled Peas a la Jerry, though....!!).
We will certainly going back for longer next time as it's a perfect base to explore Oxford and the surrounding
areas from.
The Bell's offer is just right - an absolute gem. Derby
My husband and I after getting married on the 11th Sept 09, found out just before that, that he needed to
relocate due to a job opportunity. The location being Oxford so after looking on Late Rooms we decided
that the reviews were to good to ignore and decided to pop down to have a look around.
I rang the hotel to find out about public transport and why we were visiting. The lady called Sam immediately
reserved one of the top rooms that they had and was extremely friendly and welcoming.
Even though the hotel was a little way out of Oxford the bus stop was right outside and only took 15mins,
although a taxi would have been £20. On our arrival we were helped up to our beautiful room and found a
lovely boquet of flowers and a card congratulating us on our wedding.
We got ready for dinner and went down to the very welcoming bar area and took our time looking at the
delicous menu.
We were then given a bottle of prosecco to celebrate our wedding.
The Steak was fabulous, but all of the food was! Pudding melted in your mouth.
Overall the place was very friendly, cozy and immaculate with great food.
Breakfast was continental which was plentiful and all we needed, but you could pay a little extra and get a c
ooked English, which I will certainly do the next time I stay,
As I would definately recommend and stay again. If you do venture in to Oxford for food, we had lunch at Jamies
(jamie olivers) and the food was extremely reasonable and absolutely delicous, for 3 drinks, 2 starters and
2 mains with funky chips it only cost us £43 and the staff were lovely. Michelle Gateshead
My job takes me around the country and I stay away from home a couple of nights a week in all sorts of hotels,
some good and some bad. This is a superb place to stay if you want quality in everything at a reasonable price.
The room had egyptian cotton sheets, duck down duvet and pillows, a comfortable bed and the best monsoon
shower I have ever had in any hotel. The food was superb with fish specials and a wood burning pizza oven,
all served by attentive waiters who took time to explain the menu. The overall experience was of quality
throughout. Book your break now before this place gets better known and then very busy. Forget other hotels
in Oxford and Blenheim as they will not be as good as this place. Malcolm, Woverhampton stayed Oct 09
We had a fantastic bank holiday weekend at this lovely hotel. Our bedroom was beautiful and extremely
comfortable. The restaurant is superb with a great wood oven serving fabulous food. The cooked breakfast is
also out of this world. This hotel is well run by Jeremy and his team and you are made to feel very welcome
by them all. We are already looking forward to staying here again. Therese Fletcher From Northwood, England
Who stayed in August 2009
Excellent! This place has evreything you could wish for!
Room was lovely, whole place was renovated 4 months ago and no expense appears to have been spared!
Food and staff were excellent, as were the surroundings! Nice deep bath too! Reviewed by Scott P,
From Ashford, England, Who stayed in September 2009
A Hidden Gem
Fabulous little "Inn" with all the benefits of a five star hotel.
Staff couldn't be more helpful...Amenities in room were perfect - real coffee and fresh milk on demand...
breakfast was very generous and very good quality. Room was pleasent, though small - I was on my own
so not a problem,
but 2 of us would have struggled to navigate round the furniture. Pleasent decor and wonderful bedding -
no problem sleeping!!.
Must return in the summer and enjoy more of the surroundings. Reviewed by G Gleaves From England,
Who stayed in October 2009