The Bell Inn Moreton-in-Marsh

The Bell Inn is a traditional coaching inn on the High Street in the centre of Moreton-in-Marsh, on the west side close to the war memorial. Considered by many to be JRR Tolkien's inspiration for the Prancing Pony in The Lord of the Rings, it is a Cotswold stone building providing food, drink and accommodation. Taken over by new owners in the summer of 2015, the pub has been refurbished and features a courtyard and a walled garden. The menu focuses on fresh, seasonal, locally sourced dishes. There are five recently refurbished en-suite rooms available for those wanting to stay overnight, making the inn a convenient base for exploring the Cotswolds and nearby towns such as Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Oxford and Bath. A busy weekly Tuesday market, the largest open-air street market in the Cotswolds, takes place right outside on the High Street. The inn is a five-minute walk from Moreton-in-Marsh railway station, which is served by the main line from London Paddington, and parking is available in the market place in front of the pub. Popular with both locals and tourists, The Bell Inn has been a favourite in the area for years.