Lacklustre lunch visit. Plenty of pub classics on offer, but I found things too salty for my taste. Service slow and no heating - a shame for a picturesque building with an enormous (unlit) fireplace. Busy for Tuesday lunch only a couple of tables free at 1pm, but soon emptied - too cold to sit!
Sam Buckley
Great location, such a beautiful thatched property. Room was beautiful we stayed in room 1. Great value for money. Staff very welcoming, helpful and friendly. Owner and family just lovely. Great food, especially the full english breakfast. Would definitely recommend and will definitely stay again if in the area.
Lorraine Young
Fantastic afternoon, celebrating a birthday with family and friends.Great location with a big Garden and access to a nice play area.Serve Fantastic food, thank you chef and his team. All Staff were very polite and helpful, despite being busy, attentive, nothing was too much trouble. Would recommend - its lovely and welcoming
Porsche Barrett
My family and I came in for a lovely meal last night, we were blown away at how beautiful the food was. Menu was to everyone’s liking (which is rare!) and they were kind enough to make a few changes to a dish so my boyfriend could still enjoy a steak! We’ve never thought about coming to the 5 Bells before but it will definitely be something we enjoy more regularly now! Can’t wait to go back already, many thanks to the staff who were quick, kind and very friendly throughout :)
Peter de Courcy
Smart olde worlde pub served by its own fine brewery. Friendly competent staff who were more than happy to welcome our dog. Seems food orientated but with no light lunch options other than the starters, but they were fine about us choosing a couple of those with a portion of the most excellent chunky Chips. Just the job.
Chris Lowman
Sunday roast is best around west berks in my opinion, beef is perfect served medium rare, crispy potatoes, fresh veg, great desserts and drinks, 5* rating from the family.
Andrew R
Needed an overnight stay, booked last min, found it Late Rooms. I’ll be honest it was one of the cheapest in the area that night. But what a find! Room was ideal, small but large enough (room 2). Very comfortable double bed, perfect sized en-suite with shower (no issues with temperature). Staff very friendly and welcoming both for accommodation and bar/food. I said cheap, it was incredible value, I’ve stayed in places triple the cost and much much worse! Room was nicely decorated, fresh and spotless. Decent quality water and soaps in the room, softness linen. No noise from the bar, rooms are in a different wing. Genuinely, they could comfortably charge much more (but hope they don’t!) I also ate in the beer garden, again very good choice, reasonable value. I went with white bait to start and then homemade chicken pie with skinny fries. Again, very good, fresh, tasty. I will certainly be returning, next time in the larger room which features a roll top bath (not seen it but saw the photos in other reviews and website) looks very similar money to the room I had.
CRAZY CRAFTER
Never stayed here, never will. Owner very much up his own backside. Throughout the show he made it out as if he had a castle with rooms full of luxury & everything perfect.....BUT in reality it's a pub with very basic rooms...not to forget the very basic need...no wardrobe!!!!....shower & taps falling off the wall & not even plumbed into the wall & list goes on!!! Yet he marked down all other establishments claiming none off their rooms met his standards....he was right....his standard is like his rooms....VERY BASIC. Having 4 pubs with rooms doesn't mean u r best in the hospitality business. U MUST have your establishments as u expect from others....glad u said no to return to all the other competitors....oh BTW ur harsh underpayments of £20+ didn't help u win 1st place....just as well....u wldnt have deserved it......one more thing....your employees work for u & ur place wldnt run without them...treat & talk to them with respect....u embarrassed them right infront off the cameras....success is team work...I wldnt even talk to my pets like that...horrible attitude...get off your high horse.
Sarah K
Brilliant overnight stay at The Five Bells. Food was the high point. Homemade, tasty and big portions for the price. The venison raging was lovely.Food & drinks: Really good food, portion sizes were very generous and reasonably priced. All homemade
cheryl c
Just stopped for a drink. Ended up having starters and pud. Food was excellent and good value. Staff very helpful and friendly wish it was closer to home. The who’s place is very clean, especially the toilets. Woidburner in lounge area so cosy in winter and covered outside seating with heaters for summer evenings
Stopped for the night on our way to London from west Wales, and it couldn’t have been a more welcome place for a weary traveller. Let much was beyond expectation, best fish snd chips ever. The menu is modern creative pub classics, and who ever designed the menu knows what they’re doing. Brilliant staff, bartender friendly and knowledgeable. The room was perfect. Again a perfect combination of classic cosy and modern. Claw foot bath, separate shower, extra large comfy bed with good linens. Thank you so much, Would recommend to anyone!
sarahgeneva
Overall fine. As a public service, i have to say don’t order the Halloumi starter - lots of random salad leaves with croutons and a few miserable bits of deep fried halloumi smaller than the croutons. Server assured me that this was exactly what the chef intended. A travesty.
HandMReading
We stopped here for a late lunch and really enjoyed it. Hard to believe it is so close to an m4 junction- peaceful and beautiful location. Great menu, great choice of drinks and great service. What’s not to like?! We will definitely return.
Emily Sartina
Went here greeted like rubbish, the guys attitude there was foul. My bill on the receipt came to 41.40 and I was charged 10 pound more. The food was lovely though. And the drinks. But I won’t be coming back.
Binbag
A short overnight stop here was a treat after a very long drive. Staff friendly and accommodating on arrival, with a super quick check in and a table booked for dinner in an already busy restaurant with a lovely lit fire. The bedroom can be accessed from the adjacent car park or bar area and passing the honesty bar and coffee area, you are welcomed by a comfortable and homey room. Our room (2) was small but perfectly equipped for 1 night. Small TV. Blanket for the cold nights. Fan for the hot ones. Bathroom was basic, very small but functional. Word of warning, the shower goes cold after the second person has a short dip. But the water pressure is wonderful. Relaxed departure, just leaving the key in the door and out. Very relaxed here, rural comfort and very friendly staff. Dinner here is essential, the food is simply amazing, typical pub food menu, but high end, and very tasty! I wish I could have stayed for breakfast :)
Lacklustre lunch visit. Plenty of pub classics on offer, but I found things too salty for my taste. Service slow and no heating - a shame for a picturesque building with an enormous (unlit) fireplace. Busy for Tuesday lunch only a couple of tables free at 1pm, but soon emptied - too cold to sit!
Great location, such a beautiful thatched property. Room was beautiful we stayed in room 1. Great value for money. Staff very welcoming, helpful and friendly. Owner and family just lovely. Great food, especially the full english breakfast. Would definitely recommend and will definitely stay again if in the area.
Fantastic afternoon, celebrating a birthday with family and friends.Great location with a big Garden and access to a nice play area.Serve Fantastic food, thank you chef and his team. All Staff were very polite and helpful, despite being busy, attentive, nothing was too much trouble. Would recommend - its lovely and welcoming
My family and I came in for a lovely meal last night, we were blown away at how beautiful the food was. Menu was to everyone’s liking (which is rare!) and they were kind enough to make a few changes to a dish so my boyfriend could still enjoy a steak! We’ve never thought about coming to the 5 Bells before but it will definitely be something we enjoy more regularly now! Can’t wait to go back already, many thanks to the staff who were quick, kind and very friendly throughout :)
Smart olde worlde pub served by its own fine brewery. Friendly competent staff who were more than happy to welcome our dog. Seems food orientated but with no light lunch options other than the starters, but they were fine about us choosing a couple of those with a portion of the most excellent chunky Chips. Just the job.
Sunday roast is best around west berks in my opinion, beef is perfect served medium rare, crispy potatoes, fresh veg, great desserts and drinks, 5* rating from the family.
Needed an overnight stay, booked last min, found it Late Rooms. I’ll be honest it was one of the cheapest in the area that night. But what a find! Room was ideal, small but large enough (room 2). Very comfortable double bed, perfect sized en-suite with shower (no issues with temperature). Staff very friendly and welcoming both for accommodation and bar/food. I said cheap, it was incredible value, I’ve stayed in places triple the cost and much much worse! Room was nicely decorated, fresh and spotless. Decent quality water and soaps in the room, softness linen. No noise from the bar, rooms are in a different wing. Genuinely, they could comfortably charge much more (but hope they don’t!) I also ate in the beer garden, again very good choice, reasonable value. I went with white bait to start and then homemade chicken pie with skinny fries. Again, very good, fresh, tasty. I will certainly be returning, next time in the larger room which features a roll top bath (not seen it but saw the photos in other reviews and website) looks very similar money to the room I had.
Never stayed here, never will. Owner very much up his own backside. Throughout the show he made it out as if he had a castle with rooms full of luxury & everything perfect.....BUT in reality it's a pub with very basic rooms...not to forget the very basic need...no wardrobe!!!!....shower & taps falling off the wall & not even plumbed into the wall & list goes on!!! Yet he marked down all other establishments claiming none off their rooms met his standards....he was right....his standard is like his rooms....VERY BASIC. Having 4 pubs with rooms doesn't mean u r best in the hospitality business. U MUST have your establishments as u expect from others....glad u said no to return to all the other competitors....oh BTW ur harsh underpayments of £20+ didn't help u win 1st place....just as well....u wldnt have deserved it......one more thing....your employees work for u & ur place wldnt run without them...treat & talk to them with respect....u embarrassed them right infront off the cameras....success is team work...I wldnt even talk to my pets like that...horrible attitude...get off your high horse.
Brilliant overnight stay at The Five Bells. Food was the high point. Homemade, tasty and big portions for the price. The venison raging was lovely.Food & drinks: Really good food, portion sizes were very generous and reasonably priced. All homemade
Just stopped for a drink. Ended up having starters and pud. Food was excellent and good value. Staff very helpful and friendly wish it was closer to home. The who’s place is very clean, especially the toilets. Woidburner in lounge area so cosy in winter and covered outside seating with heaters for summer evenings
Restaurantji Recommends
Stopped for the night on our way to London from west Wales, and it couldn’t have been a more welcome place for a weary traveller. Let much was beyond expectation, best fish snd chips ever. The menu is modern creative pub classics, and who ever designed the menu knows what they’re doing. Brilliant staff, bartender friendly and knowledgeable. The room was perfect. Again a perfect combination of classic cosy and modern. Claw foot bath, separate shower, extra large comfy bed with good linens. Thank you so much, Would recommend to anyone!
Overall fine. As a public service, i have to say don’t order the Halloumi starter - lots of random salad leaves with croutons and a few miserable bits of deep fried halloumi smaller than the croutons. Server assured me that this was exactly what the chef intended. A travesty.
We stopped here for a late lunch and really enjoyed it. Hard to believe it is so close to an m4 junction- peaceful and beautiful location. Great menu, great choice of drinks and great service. What’s not to like?! We will definitely return.
Went here greeted like rubbish, the guys attitude there was foul. My bill on the receipt came to 41.40 and I was charged 10 pound more. The food was lovely though. And the drinks. But I won’t be coming back.
A short overnight stop here was a treat after a very long drive. Staff friendly and accommodating on arrival, with a super quick check in and a table booked for dinner in an already busy restaurant with a lovely lit fire. The bedroom can be accessed from the adjacent car park or bar area and passing the honesty bar and coffee area, you are welcomed by a comfortable and homey room. Our room (2) was small but perfectly equipped for 1 night. Small TV. Blanket for the cold nights. Fan for the hot ones. Bathroom was basic, very small but functional. Word of warning, the shower goes cold after the second person has a short dip. But the water pressure is wonderful. Relaxed departure, just leaving the key in the door and out. Very relaxed here, rural comfort and very friendly staff. Dinner here is essential, the food is simply amazing, typical pub food menu, but high end, and very tasty! I wish I could have stayed for breakfast :)