High Road, Horndon-on-the-Hill, nr Grays
Essex
SS17 8LD
Tel.: +44 (0)1375 642463

Much of what can be seen today of the Bell was in place by the time the Tudors came to the throne in 1445. With a long history as a coaching inn it is as popular now as it has always been and you have to move a good deal faster than a stage coach to be sure of a table.

The menu is not large but what there is commands respect and many repeat visits by those in the know. Start with the roast bacon knuckle served with seared scallop and beetroot, a challenging combination of flavours. Follow with the roast quail accompanied by black pudding and girolles. An enterprising choice of vegetables is always available and just to demonstrate there's no malarkey about dieting you can, if you wish, order fat chips with mayonnaise.