The Bell Inn, St James St, Castle Hedingham

The Bell Inn is a public house. Originally a popular coaching inn, is situated on St James Street, Castle Hedingham. Still open today, the pub is most notable for its gravity fed cask ales, annual beer festival, live music and Turkish specials menu.

The building

There is evidence to suggest that the oldest part of the pub (now the public bar and parlour) dates from around 1440. Evidence of this early part of the building can be seen in the "Parlour" (Front Room, the Blue Room and the Non-Smoking Room) where a section of wattle and daub has been uncovered as infill in an old arched doorway. Also of note in the parlour is a miniscule interior window just above the door [any guesses welcome!]

Again like other properties in the village, the Bell has been extended and remodelled many times and is a mosaic of different levels and rooms. An inventory for The Bell dating from 1836 listed on the pubs website gives the rooms as:  'Counting House, Commercial Room, Coach Office, Magistrates Room, Sadler's Room, Post House, Stable, Knife House, Skittle and Bowling Grounds."

One of the largest additions to the building occurs around the 1790s when the rear wing and "Disraeli Room" are added. The Disraeli Room would get its name a little later when famous politician Benjamin Disraeli gave a speech there. It has had many uses over the years including a theatre and petty sessions court. The room is notable for its barrel vaulted ceiling and decorative plaster.

Other features

The raised 'stage' in the saloon bar was originally part of the Kitchen Pantry, as evidenced by the meathooks on the beams and tiles on the floor.

To the rear of the pub is a large walled garden. Once used for various purposes such as cockfighting, skittles, horse livery, hopgrowing and pub games.

In the window of the Public bar hangs a green 'witches ball' originally these came from glass fishing floats, and were hung in windows by the superstitious to ward off evil spirits. This one is a bit large to have been a float and is possibly an intentional witches ball.

Events and stories

 

1865 The Bell was the site of a stabbing which was supposedly connected to the fire that followed at the Blue Boar. Later after the Blue Boar is demolished, the wrought iron sign hanger is attached to the side of the Bell.

1970s The back bar (the small room that now features double doors onto the patio) was where younger drinkers to lurked quietly with their half of mild. So long as they behaved themselves.

1980s Enthusiastic revellers cause the bracing beam in the Saloon bar to crack during a Strawbs gig in the Disraeli Room.

2017 The Ferguson family (as Kylie and Penny) celebrate the family's 50th anniversary as licensees.