5. Old Bell Inn - Bell Street (Brakspears)

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"Popped in for a beer. It is now a tapas bar and has a new name. I left..." - Nick, July 2006

"The Bell seems to have changed hands again and is now run by the chap who had the Bull (which is closed for a refit). The pub had a disco on in the back bar and seemed to be attracting a very young crowd of drinkers." - Nick, December 2004

"Popped in for a quick beer as part of a crawl of pubs in Henley. This pub has changed beyond recognition. The pub no longer has a front and back bar as the two are now joined by a passage down the left hand-side of the building. Also, the alley-way to the back 'garden' is now closed. The beer was not very good and I have no idea if this was the fault of the pub or represents the recent changes in brewing at Brakspear's. The pub does seem to have changed for the worse and was very quiet on the evening of my visit." - Nick, November 2002

"Small pub with several distinct areas with very low beams in places. Brakspears Bitter and Downpour were on offer. I had the Downpour and Kevin the Bitter, both were in good shape. Judging by the amount of dimps in the ashtrays there are lot's of smokers in here, however there is a UFO shaped extractor over the bar which seems to do a very good job.
You need an umbrella to go to the gents when it's raining but once you get there the ceiling is interesting but the fake advert for a blow up portable loo is quite amusing." - Ian & Kevin, September 2001

"Pub now refurbished & selling best beers around!" - The Landlady of the Old Bell, May 2000

"It's FINALLY had a re-fit. Sarah Fitzpatrick wanted to do this for years, but the brewery refused, so she left. Her successors, Phil and Tina, moved on after six months, to be followed by a succession of temporary managers. Now it's been completely done up and changed around, and is being run by two women whose names escape me (I think one is Norwegian). Seems to have done wonders for the atmosphere, though it's still the smokiest pub in Henley. The beer is excellent but I haven't heard any reports about the food. Of course, it always had a reputation for Sunday lunch." - Tim, April 2000

"Sarah Fitzpatrick has left Ye Olde Bell, complete with mother Pat. In an ironic twist, they have been succeeded by Phil and Tina, latterly managers of the Little White Hart - which of course was BRIAN Fitzpatrick's old pub. They seem to be following the Fitzpatricks around." - Tim, April 1999

"Ye Olde Bell - my personal favourite. When my girlfriend spent two weeks working in South Africa lately, I spent two solid weeks drinking in the Bell, and loved every minute of it. Sarah Fitzpatrick (daughter of the late Brian, ex LWH stalwart) runs the place and is a marvel, as is her mum, Pat, who is incapable of calling anyone anything other than "duckie" and, despite being in her sixties, is a big fan of the Pogues. Graham, ex-Three Tuns chef, produces some excellent food, and the Brakspear's is beautifully kept by a guy who's really a customer but can't resist looking after the beer. The only drawbacks are the smelly poodle, Charlie, and the fact that it's rarely open on Sunday nights. Oh, and my girlfriend prefers the Little White Hart as it's less smokey. I don't think the lady with the Guinness is around any more - or at least, if she is I've never seen her. It could have been Margot, I guess - who used to lurk in more or less all of Henley's pubs from time to time and was the wife of a former Spitfire pilot called Andy, who died last year. But Margot is now in a residential home in Shiplake, and is very rarely seen.
YOB is always a good bet if you're out on your own one night and fancy a good chat. Amos, one of the Brakspear's draymen, is a regular, along with a whole bunch of good people who'll always give anyone a warm welcome. If you see a 6'4" tall bloke sitting at the bar, drinking Special from a jug, doing the Times crossword and eating peanuts, it's probably me." - Tim, May 1998

"The Sunday Roast Beef Dinner is still the main attraction here, and with the addition of the chef from the Three Tuns, the high quality and value have been maintained." - Bill, February 1998

"Again very few in attendance, notably a very strange old woman who stared at me continuously and an old poodle on a bench. Beer was fine but the place was like a morgue so I moved on." - Vincent, September 1997

"The Old Bell has recently changed management and is among the best places in town for Sunday roast dinner for less than five quid. The bar is small, chummy and interesting. Dining in the rear." - Bill, September 1996

"Love this pub. Really friendly staff... tiniest bar area in the world therefore everyone sits on top of each other and simply has to get talking. Real cross-section of people in here of all ages. Restaurant, and mini garden comprising of a table on concrete at the back of the kitchens! The ladies loo has a heated toilet seat which is a fantastic experience and worth testing! Definitely a pub to go to, especially on Saturday during the day since it's so central that most people turn up there or can be viewed from it." - Luci, August 1996

"Location: Main shopping street. Tiny bar, not recommended to people over 20 stone, or with a DD cup.
Clientele: Mainly locals/regulars. Do not smile or ask old lady with Guinness how she is. She will tell you.
Food: Good cheap bar lunches, restaurant always full." - Mary, July 1995

"Great little town pub. Low ceilings, so if you are over 6 ft wear a hard hat, and small bars. Nice atmosphere, good beer. Two points of interest are the stained glass door and a window which was broken by a rowing crew one regatta and when they replaced it they all signed their names." - Nick, July 1995