The Old Bell Hotel

A traditional English Hotel - a little staid but generally good service. The rooms are clearly in need of some tlc! We were given what had to be the smallest room up in the attic (that's what it felt like) - the bathroom was miniscule, the bath tap dripping all night long, the plumbing (toilet flush and sink taps) were slow to work and in need of replacement. The bed was fairly comfortable but it would have been nice to have had feather pillows and a feather duvet rather than the inflexible man made fibre pillows and duvet (probably added to the heat during the night).
Upon arrival we were asked if we were dining - we told the reception that we weren't. We were asked the same question when we went into the bar to await our friends and even though we said we werent staying for dinner, five minutes later we were handed menus by the Maitre D'. The night porter, who served us drinks upon our return to the hotel later on was very friendly and helpful.
It was boiling hot all night long and we opened our tiny window only to discover at 6am that we were above the kitchens and the smell of frying food was particularly unpleasant.
Breakfast was minimal - a fruit salad consisting mainly of chunks of apple with a scattering of other fruit thrown in and the coffee was bitter.
We stayed here because we have friends nearby who could not accommodate us and given the option of a Farmhouse B&B or this well known hotel, we opted for the hotel - it will be the Farm House B&B next time!

Ticks all the boxes marked quaint and quintessential English from the front. But our room was in the back, in the modern part. Where the rooms are divided by stud walls. Which meant every toilet flush and door slam reverberated around our room. That said, the service at the hotel was exceptional, and in the very fine restaurant it was impeccable, as was the food. Though our restaurant bill far outweighed that for accommodation. Other than extreme difficulty squeezing our modest car into the sliding-tile puzzle parking spaces, we have no complaints. Malmesbury a delightful village/townette. Great for romantic getaways, but next time I'll try to get a room in the old part.

Delightful in the main house, and felt very well looked after. Have stayed numerous times since, and it's always been enjoyable

Well appointed good size room, with enormous bed and exceptional service - both in restaurant and around hotel.
Hotel on high street in town, so room a bit noisy but no problems with parking.