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On a suddenly necessary journey north from the coast, I searched with no great confidence for a pub ‘just off the A34’. The gods came out in force and sent us to The Bell at Aldworth. It is a bit of a wriggle to reach but, once there, an unalloyed delight. There is an ease and confidence about the entire operation, no doubt deriving from one family’s ownership since God was a boy (or girl). Drinks are served from three tiny hatches. The menu is limited, uncompromising, adequate and delicious. It is restricted to a heady variety of warm, filled rolls – with extras such as tomato and onion being optional, generous and gratis. There is absolutely no frozen, microwaved identi-grub on offer. We were there for lunch, and The Bell makes no apology for closing at 7.00pm. There are mementoes of VE day, celebrity cricket matches in the 1960s and a later ‘Bell Air’ Concorde charter flight (with engraved pewter tankard in the pilot’s cherished memory). It is, above all, a local – and how I wish it were my local, but it is infuriatingly, tantalisingly too far. The abundant passing trade is greeted warmly, but there is a special salutation for the regulars. Our praise and thanks on leaving were courteously received, but with little surprise because after 250 years they know that they a running a fine Swiss watch of a pub. It was a thrilling discovery which we have talked of for days since.If this is the sort of thing you like, you will like this sort of thing.
Lovely country pub, all the staff are very friendly and really helpful, Sunday lunch was absolutely delicious, piping hot and lots of it, very generous with the meat.Will definitely be back and would thoroughly recommend visiting this place, you will not be disappointed.
