The Old Bell Hotel Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 0BX

What The Old Bell Hotel Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 0BX does

The Old Bell Hotel is a privately held, Grade I listed hospitality property in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. It serves leisure travelers, couples, families, dog owners, local diners, corporate groups, and private-event customers through 34 individually designed bedrooms, Townhouse Suites, three food-and-beverage concepts, afternoon tea, weddings, and meetings. Flexible event spaces accommodate 4 to 70 guests, and the property states that it has welcomed guests since 1220 and is rumoured to be England’s oldest hotel.

Revenue is generated from room nights, food and beverage, afternoon tea, weddings, private dining, corporate meetings, gift vouchers, and seasonal packages. Pricing is transaction-based and varies by room category, season, and day of week; disclosed examples include 20% Townhouse Suite discounts, a £349 proposal package, and a three-night Christmas break from £1,830 per couple. Distribution is primarily direct through the hotel website, phone, and email, with Guestline for room reservations, ResDiary for restaurant tables, and an online gift-voucher storefront; walk-ins and third-party review platforms also generate demand.

Technology is conventional booking and analytics infrastructure rather than a proprietary platform: the source identifies Guestline, ResDiary, Google Analytics, and a gift-voucher commerce provider, with no app, API, SDK, or disclosed AI capability. Kim and Whit Hanks purchased the hotel on 31 March 2021 and the neighboring Abbey House & Gardens on 1 November 2021; Abbey House provides kitchen-garden produce and grounds for guest experiences. The property's differentiation rests on a protected historic building, long operating history, distinctive interiors, dining, and event programming rather than software ownership or data scale.

Name

The Old Bell Hotel Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 0BX

Legal name

The Old Bell Hotel

Website

https://oldbellhotel.co.uk

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Old Bell Hotel is a Grade I listed Malmesbury property offering 34 individually designed bedrooms, Townhouse Suites, dining, bars, afternoon tea, weddings, meetings, and private events to leisure, corporate, celebration, and local customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Heritage luxury hotel and hospitality

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111), Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (721110), Traveler Accommodation (7211)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Hotels & Motels (7011)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic & Heritage Full-Service Hotels (THAGAAAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Heritage & Palace Luxury Hotels (THAGACAF), Historic/Heritage Conference Hotels (THAGALAL), Lounge Bars & Hotel Bars (THAFAEAI)

Keywords

• Luxury heritage hotel
• Historic accommodation
• Fine dining restaurant
• Wedding and event venue
• Cotswolds hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Malmesbury, Wiltshire

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Accommodation: Revenue from overnight stays across 34 individually designed bedrooms and 4 townhouse suites. Room types range from Master Suite to Single rooms with varying price points based on room category and seasonality.
2. Food & Beverage: Revenue from Abbey Row Restaurant dining, Tyger Bar, 1220 Cocktail Bar, afternoon tea service, and private dining. Includes regular service periods and special events.
3. Events & Private Dining: Revenue from weddings, Christmas parties, corporate meetings, and private events. Flexible spaces accommodate 4 to 70 guests.
4. Gift Vouchers: Sale of gift vouchers for afternoon tea, Sunday roast, dinner, and Cotswold breaks.
5. Special Offers & Packages: Revenue from promotional packages including Townhouse Suites offers, Summer offers, Friday Feeling packages, Eat Sleep Pooch Retreat, and seasonal breaks.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Old Bell Hotel is a Grade I listed heritage hotel in Malmesbury offering luxury accommodation across 34 individually designed bedrooms and 6 Townhouse Suites, hyper-seasonal fine dining at Abbey Row Restaurant, cocktails at the 1220 Cocktail Bar and Tyger Bar, afternoon tea, and event hosting (weddings, private dining, corporate meetings for 4–70 guests). Owned by Kim and Whit Hanks of Whim Hospitality, the property has been in continuous operation since 1220 and positions itself as England's oldest hotel in the South Cotswolds.

Product overview

The Old Bell Hotel is a Grade I listed heritage property offering a unified luxury hospitality experience centered on its historic accommodation, fine dining, and event spaces. The core offering comprises 34 individually designed bedrooms and 6 Townhouse Suites, complemented by award-winning Abbey Row Restaurant (8,000 hand-painted stars), 1220 Cocktail Bar, and the tropical-inspired Tyger Bar. The hotel provides comprehensive wedding and events services through spaces including the Garden Room, Library, and Belvedere. Additional offerings include afternoon tea service, private dining, and curated seasonal packages (Eat Sleep Pooch Retreat, Friday Feeling, Summer Offer, Solo Retreat). The property is co-owned with sister venue Abbey House Manor, which provides garden tours and kitchen garden produce for the restaurant.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Abbey Row Restaurant: Fine dining restaurant at The Old Bell Hotel featuring 8,000 hand-painted stars on the ceiling
• Tyger Bar
• 1220 Cocktail Bar
• Townhouse Suites
• Abbey House Manor

Products and services

• Townhouse Suites Six individually designed self-contained townhouse accommodations in the heart of Malmesbury, offering home-away-from-home luxury with full hotel amenities nearby. Feature Lewis & Wood wallpaper and Smeg appliances.
• Master Suite Luxurious flagship suite featuring high-design interiors, antiques, and premium amenities.
• Junior Master Spacious room with character features and contemporary luxury appointments.
• Character Room Individually styled room reflecting the hotel's historic charm with quirky treasures.
• Classic Room Comfortable traditionally styled accommodation option.
• Master Cosy Intimate yet refined accommodation option with the hotel's signature design aesthetic.
• Cosy Room Compact yet comfortable room option with full amenities.
• Single Room Single occupancy room for individual travellers.
• Abbey Row Restaurant Award-winning fine dining restaurant featuring 8,000 hand-painted stars on the ceiling. Serves hyper-seasonal, locally sourced menu with produce from Abbey House Manor gardens. Executive Chef Daniel Kerr leads the kitchen.
• 1220 Cocktail Bar Named after the hotel's founding year, this cocktail bar offers artisanal drinks in a historic setting with antique furnishings.
• Tyger Bar All-weather covered outdoor bar and tropical-inspired space named after local legend Hannah Twynnoy. Features open kitchen, rustic seating, and seasonal Après Ski offerings in winter.
• Afternoon Tea Traditional and festive afternoon tea service featuring seasonal finger sandwiches, warm scones, delicate patisserie, and artisan tea or fizz. Served in lounges or by the fire.
• Private Dining Exclusive dining experiences in the Library, Garden Room, or other curated spaces for intimate celebrations and special occasions.
• Weddings Complete wedding services including ceremonies, receptions, and vow renewals at England's oldest hotel. Features Belvedere space, Garden Room, Abbey Row Restaurant, and curated wedding packages.
• Meetings & Private Events Flexible event spaces accommodating 4 to 70 guests including Garden Room, Library, and dedicated meeting areas with modern amenities in a historic setting.
• Eat, Sleep, Pooch Retreat Dog-friendly package including two-night stay with dinner, bed and breakfast. Furry companions stay free with luxury pet bed, treats, and guide to local dog walks.
• Friday Feeling Package Friday night stay package including welcome drink, complimentary dinner from bar classics, house wine or prosecco, and award-winning Full English Breakfast.
• Solo Retreat South Cotswolds Peaceful solo travel package offering space to unwind, walk, and enjoy the historic Cotswolds setting.
• 3-Night Christmas Break Festive holiday package arriving December 24th including Christmas Eve dinner with festive canapés, Christmas Day lunch with champagne, Boxing Day afternoon tea, and full breakfasts. From £1,830 per couple.
• Proposal Package Exclusive Belvedere experience for marriage proposals including 2 hours in the space, bottle of fizz, cheese and charcuterie platter with panoramic Cotswold views. £349.
• Gift Vouchers Redeemable vouchers for Afternoon Tea, Sunday Roast, dinner at Abbey Row, or Cotswold breaks, available for purchase online or by phone.

Quantifiable outcome

• Voted Best in Wiltshire Three Years Running - Muddy Stilettos Awards
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Abbey House ManorcoreOthersCousin property also owned by Kim and Whit Hanks. Adjacent Grade I listed Abbey House & Gardens purchased November 2021. Features kitchen gardens supplying Abbey Row restaurant and manicured gardens for guest tours. Ongoing development planned with Historic England for historic property preservation.
• Camp LucycoreOthersLuxury resort and wedding venue in Dripping Springs, Texas, owned by Whim Hospitality. Shared Texas hospitality brand influence, with Taste of Texas dining events featuring Camp Lucy wines and products.
• Whim HospitalitycoreOthersParent company founded by Kim and Whit Hanks in Dripping Springs, Texas. Includes Camp Lucy resort, Tillie's Restaurant, catering, event rentals, florals, and venue management services. Whim family brand of hospitality extended to UK properties.
• HEALS of MalmesburycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal charity receiving donations from hotel's Giving Tree initiative. Hotel collects Christmas presents for nearly 200 local children aged 0-18 who would otherwise not receive gifts. HEALS wraps and distributes presents to families in need. Partnership ongoing for multiple years.
• Malmesbury CarnivalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal community organization. Hotel donates 100% of proceeds from Abbey House Manor garden Open Days. Raised £5,727 for Carnival in single event.
• Discover MalmesburyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal tourism organization. Hotel sponsors Discover Malmesbury initiative promoting town events, attractions, and history. Supports tourism promotion for the Malmesbury area.
• Local Suppliers NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNetwork of local Malmesbury businesses supplying hotel needs: Hobbs House Bakery (food), Miss Aroma (room scents), Leonard Walker Butchers, The Cake Tin, E & S Hardware, The Emporium of Loveliness, Echo Foods, French Grey, Clarks, J M Flooring, The Farm Butcher, Bibury Trout Farm, Wiltshire Truffles, Brinkworth Dairy, The Wooden Spoon Press, Persephone Violet, Teasel Floristry, Rachel Wilson Floristry, Talking Wines, Flying Monk Brewery, EWGA wines, and others.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Abbey House Manor: Adjacent Grade I listed property in Malmesbury purchased by the same owners of The Old Bell in2021. Closest peer by location, ownership, and heritage positioning — sister property supplying kitchen gardens and ongoing development alongside The Old Bell.

Others

• Camp Lucy: Texas-based sister property under the same Whim Hospitality ownership. Comparable as a multi-venue event-led luxury hospitality operation under shared brand DNA, though serving a different geography and US market.

Direct peers

• The Lygon Arms: Historic Cotswolds luxury hotel in Broadway, Worcestershire, dating to the 16th century, offering full-service accommodation, dining, and spa. Direct comparable as a heritage full-service Cotswolds property targeting similar leisure, celebration, and weekend-stay guests.
• Calcot Manor: Family-owned luxury Cotswolds hotel near Tetbury offering rooms, fine dining, and spa facilities. Comparable in scale (mid-size room count), positioning (luxury heritage), guest mix (couples, families, celebrations), and South Cotswolds proximity to The Old Bell.
• Whatley Manor: Grade II listed Cotswolds manor hotel near Malmesbury with award-winning restaurant and spa. Comparable historic luxury positioning, similar guest demographic, and overlapping local market in the South Cotswolds.
• The Bath Priory: Boutique heritage hotel in Bath with Michelin-recommended restaurant and garden. Comparable luxury-heritage positioning, design-led interiors, fine dining emphasis, and accessibility from the same Bristol/Bath/Swindon/Cheltenham catchment.
• Cowley Manor: Victorian-era Cotswolds country house hotel near Cheltenham with 30+ rooms, spa, and fine dining. Comparable scale, heritage architecture, leisure-couple guest mix, and South Cotswolds market overlap.
• Barnsley House: Boutique Cotswolds hotel in a Grade II listed 18th-century house with renowned gardens and restaurant. Comparable heritage-luxury positioning, individually designed rooms, and emphasis on culinary and celebration experiences.
• Lords of the Manor: Grade II listed 17th-century Cotswolds manor hotel in Upper Slaughter offering26 rooms and3 AA Rosette dining. Comparable heritage-luxury positioning, intimate scale, and celebration-focused guest base.

Broad incumbents

• Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat'Saisons: Iconic Oxfordshire country house hotel with two Michelin stars and32 rooms. Comparable as a heritage full-service UK luxury hotel with culinary-led positioning and similar guest demographics, though at higher price point and part of a global luxury brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/oldbell_hotel
• Facebookfacebook.com/TheOldBellHotel
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-old-bell-hotel-limited

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Old Bell Hotel Malmesbury Wiltshire SN16 0BX