RELAX AND REWIND – DISCOVER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S HIDDEN GEM

YE OLDE BELL INN IS PURE INDULGENCE

RELAX AND REWIND – DISCOVER NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S HIDDEN GEM

Not many hotels can trace their beginnings back to the 17th century let alone possess documented evidence of their first guests but Ye Olde Bell at Barnby Moor certainly can.

Starting life as a farm, one of Leeds’s most famous sons, Ralph Thoresby was one of the first guests who stayed there when he got lost returning to London on horseback searching for his drunken companion.

Standing on the original Great North Road, midway between London and Edinburgh the hotel was well established even in the days of stagecoaches and highwaymen.

The young Queen Victoria stayed there with her mother, The Duchess of Kent in 1835 on her journey to a music festival at York and her room is now The Victoria suite.

From Queen Maude of Denmark, who had a suite of rooms at Ye Olde Bell in the 50’s to Oliver Reed, Joan Crawford, Bing Crosby and Shirley Bassey not forgetting One Direction the hotel has a very distinguished Visitors book which you can view at reception.

Many events have take place over the years at the Bell including being used as the location for the 1932 film of J.B.Priestley’s “The Good Companions” and in the 19th century, as the village didn’t have a church,  a chapel was formed in part of The Bell. Now converted into bedrooms its centre aisle now forms part of the corridor to the rooms.

To say the Bell has had a chequered and colourful history is an understatement. It has had many owners and during the 70’s passed through several national hotel chains until in 2006, Paul and Hilary Levack, who had bought the freehold in 2002, took over management of the hotel.

Within weeks a full scale renovation and refurbishment was in progress and Ye Olde Bell was lovingly restored to its former glory and its heritage preserved.

But the icing on the cake was yet to come with a multi-million pound spa opening in 2017 in the hotel grounds.

From the road Ye Olde Bell looks like any other country pub – but drive into the grounds and venture into the hotel and you are in for a real surprise.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Original dark oak panelling combined with restored antique furniture, large fireplaces, their mantlepieces heavy with period ornaments, give you a definite step back in time feeling with a 21st century twist.  Oil paintings, moulded ceilings, vintage hangings and old sepia photos dispel a feeling of pure nostalgia, whilst the creak of the original oak floorboards add an air of mystery.

Ye Olde Bell has 61 rooms, some in the courtyard, and all are decorated differently.  For sheer decadence you can book one of the suites with their grand beds and antique furnishings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are also two luxurious lodges set in a secluded spot just off The Courtyard near the Spa one of which was to be our ‘home’ for our visit.

Our lodge has its own little garden in front with its own wrought iron table and chairs so we could sit with a glass of vino before dinner and later on sit and watch the stars twinkle brightly.

The lodge was furnished with an eclectic mix of old and new with a slightly Nordic feel and highly polished wooden floors. There was everything there you might need from washing up liquid, kitchen roll and cutlery to a microwave, fridge and kettle  in the kitchen area and a lovely round dining table with chairs. The lodge was well planned and spacious. A very large distressed leather settee separated the eating area from the lounge area. Just the place to curl up and watch T.V., or sink into one of the Chesterfields to read your favourite novel or even use the antique writing desk to pen a few notes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A wooden open staircase led upstairs to a large bathroom with a deep claw footed bath and a rainwater style shower. The spacious bedroom was furnished country style with a very comfortable king size bed, occasional tables and a dressing table with a mirror – so often forgotten in today’s hotels and I loved the chandelier on the landing it gave it an extra touch of class to our room.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After unpacking and a quick cuppa we headed to the Spa. After visiting spas literally all over the world from the USA and Europe to Indian Ocean Destinations, Thailand and Fiji not forgetting Iceland and the Scandinavian countries, as a travel writer,  I must reveal that over the years I have become  an unenthusiastic Spa person especially those attached to hotels.

However I have to admit that the Spa at the Ye Olde Bell has  changed my mind about that. It is just first class, well planned, peaceful and tranquil.

The Spa has such an incredibly large menu of treatments that there is something for literally just about everyone including Themed Twilight with spa access after 6, poolside DJ and food and Tiny and Tween Spa sessions for the younger generations all of which take place on selected dates throughout the year.

What I loved about this Spa was its design and the fact it is spacious but yet has an intimate feel. I adored the outdoor terrace with its chalets and wicker rocking chairs and the fact  there is a Spa Butler assigned to you to take care of your every need.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Thermal area has an indoor and outdoor vitality pool which is always warm at 34/35 degrees and so many different options including Herbal Laconium, Alpine Sauna, Steam Room, Stone Bath, Salt Exhalation Room and Snowstorm Experience (my favourite you  have to try that one) to name but a few.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the first floor there are treatment rooms and relaxation lounges, the later with balconies so you can sit outside or inside to relax and a hair salon with a most amazing view through wall to ceiling windows.

The Rasul Treatment Room and the Sabbia Med (sunlight therapy are also on this floor).  I was looking forward to the Sabbia Med as this was one of the treatments – and there are very few – that I have not tried.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sabbia Med is an incredible experience – you literally escape to the beach in a 30 minute cycle from dawn to midnight. The low levels of U.V. that are emitted to release Vitamin D whilst specialised lamps are used to help alleviate SAD. This has to be a shared experience for from 2 to 6 people. The sound of the waves combined with the overall ambience of sea and sand made me really feel good and rested.

From what I can remember from the past, dining in a Spa is usually a dull, bland and boring experience but not here. The bistro overlooks the pool and is full of really tasty meals all cooked from fresh. I chose the Pork Fillet Stuffed with Ale and Pickles with a Potato Terrine and Roast Granny Smith Puree. The three pork pieces were tender and flavoursome and the terrine and puree a perfect combination. My partner’s Slow Road Lamb Shoulder with Pea and Broadbean Puree was soft but flaky just as lamb should be. Heritage carrots and duchess potatoes complimented the dish so well.

The sweets were definitely ‘heaven on a plate’. My French Lemon tart was not overly lemon flavoured and served with a Summer Berry Sorbet made it tastier than with a cream. My partners strawberries and cream were the tops. Never a sweet eater he fell for this one and left nothing on his plate. The home made meringues, shortbread and champagne sorbet, conserve and mousse that came with this literally made his day!

After relaxing on the lovely terrace it was time to return to our lodge, catch up on the days news and get our glad rags on for the evening.

We enjoyed our aperitif in the privacy of our own garden before going to the St Ledger Bistro-By-The-Bar with its original oak panelling, wooden flooring and even an antique church pew as a seating in one of the dining areas.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The restaurant has a very sporting feel even to the point of jockey caps on old fashioned pegs and lots of pictures of the famous St Ledger horse race.

It has an intimate atmosphere and was full for a weekday evening. Our starters of Classic Caesar Salad and Press Ham Hock Terrine were nicely presented and appetising with the homemade Piccalilli  served with the terrine absolutely delicious.

My main course of Sea Bass was cooked to perfection – succulent with a crispy skin on top. I decided to forgo the accompanying risotto and had a portion of buttery mash potatoes – just like mum used to make whilst my partner opted sirloin steak with onions, mushrooms and tomatoes.

With little room for a dessert I chose Grand Marnier Crème Brulee which was smooth and creamy. The selection of British Cheeses was my partner choice consisting of a large board with some really delicious and different English cheeses served with grapes, chutney, celery and crackers.

After spending some time in the outside bar we adjourned with our drinks to our own private garden and sat until the early hours star gazing and putting the world to rights.

Next morning it was time for a leisurely home cooked breakfast and to say farewell to Ye Olde Bell for the time being at least, feeling relaxed and happy.

 

Ye Olde Bell, Barnby Moor, Retford, Nottinghamshire DN22 8QS

www.yeoldbell-hotel.co.ukenquiries@yeoldebell-hotel.co.uk

Telephone: For hotel and spa 01777 705121

You must be logged in to post a comment Login