THE PUB & RESTAURANT
The Bell Inn is a beautiful country inn located in a peaceful countryside village setting.
Call us to book your rooms directly for the best rate.
Visiting us
We have ample on-site free parking and an outside patio area with children’s playground and sandpit. We are also proud to be able to offer a dog friendly bar area and accommodation, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends along. We have a handy new dog cleaning station to clean those muddy paws when you return from your countryside walk and some treats to keep them entertained whilst you enjoy a well-deserved drink by the open fire. We are situated in the picturesque village of Rickinghall which is but a minute's drive off the A143 between Bury St. Edmunds and Diss.
We aim to source all of our ingredients from local suppliers and support local and independent business as best we can. Call us for more information or to book a table on 01379 898 445. We strongly recommend booking if you are looking to eat with us to avoid any disappointment.
What Makes Us Special
We have 8 newly refurbished ensuite rooms, making our historic inn one of the most visually pleasing country pubs with accommodation in Norfolk. You’ll love what we have done with our rooms, whether you are a returning guest or staying with us for the very first time.
You will find a cosy bar area and a la carte restaurant with snugs and an open fire during winter, along with a bar snug and games machines. If you are planning a special occasion, then you will be pleased to know that we also have a function room that is perfect for private dining, parties, buffets and business meetings. With something for everyone, it’s easy to see why ours is one of the top country pubs Norfolk has.
The Bell Inn and its team have been shortlisted in the Velvet magazines ‘Pub of the year’ awards 2023 with the final taking place at the End of June, so watch this space.
Nominated for Norfolk Food and Drink awards 2023 - Chef of the Year and Pub of the Year
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Christmas Eve family celebration - Always a friendly welcome and good food. This time we tried the Christmas festive menu, which had a choice of four options for each course. We chose starters of vodka... read more cured salmon, game terrine and butternut squash soup, all good. Our mains, beef, sea bass and the winter veg wellington were delicious. We finished off with chocolate torte, bread and butter pudding and cheese. All in all, a really good meal. 
peternS2901EW
29th December 2022 I travel with work and chose this pub as it was central to my work commitments. So glad I did, great bedroom, solid night sleep in a comfortable bed, desk... read more space with solid Wi-fi for my work.
Open fire, cosy feel bar, super selection of drinks and as for the food, without doubt the best food I have had in a long time whilst travelling.
I arrived late on my first day and the staff sorted out some food for me, nothing was too much trouble.
I will defo be staying her when needed for work and would use it as a base for a weekend break with the family. 
sledge3469
1st December 2021 My brother's 40th celebration. - I dont think I've ever been to a venue which was catering for more than about 6 people per table where someone hasn't winged about something being cold, too small,... read more too long a wait etc. This was CERTAINLY the exception to the rule, especially as the pub itself catered for close to 100 people this particular evening. We had "The Snug" upstairs which was a private room for about 18 of us.
The food and service was second to none all evening and I can not thank the staff enough for giving my brother a special evening to remember. Jordan and her staff bent over backwards to accommodate us at quite short notice and was more than happy to help us out with a few late requests.
I would recommend this pub to anyone wanting a relaxed and value- for- money meal. 
Loves-food-2022
27th December 2022 - Lovely Sunday Lunch - We were looking for a last minute Sunday lunch, tahnks to Tripadvisor we found the Bell Inn and thought we'd give it a go. We're local, but never been before,... read more but were very pleased with the food we had. Arriving at 12, we were the only ones there for 20 minutes, but then it started to fill up (we obvioulsy eat early on a Sunday!). The traditional roast was lovely, good variety on the plate including red cabbage, parsnip and swede mix, it had great flavour and a huge yorkshire pudding! Dessert was just as good and all reasonably priced (£68 for three of us, two courses, drinks and a well deserved tip). So hopefully this will return the favour and someone else looking for a decent Sunday lunch in mid-Suffolk will stop by.
Adventurer165483
5th February 2023 We stopped off here on the way to Lowestoft for lunch. What a gem of a place. Not only was the food delicious (best fish I’ve had for a long... read more time). But the service was welcoming, efficient and really first rate. The lady who served us was so helpful and we got served really quickly along a relaxed atmosphere. I don’t usually do reviews but I felt in this case that The Bell Inn deserves a fabulous mention. Thanks so much. 
C1965YRsandrac
4th September 2021 Christmas meal - Very good, staff attentive, food excellent and live band very good. Highly recommended . Ambience really fabulous . 
D9335LLcarolm
30th December 2022 - Eaten here numerous times livi g just down the road, and only just thought of putting a review. Food is always great, but recently it has been the best it... read more has been. The prices are incredibly reasonable, and the food is phenomenal. Had one of the best 3 course meals of my life on New Year’s Day, and was shocked when I was only asked for 23 quid! Had mushroom with a garlic cream sauce, a minted pea and asparagus risotto, and a sticky toffee pudding, and everything was perfect. Quite literally couldn’t find a fault, and the 5 other people were exactly the same. A couple of the others had a Seafood tagliatelle and there was nearly more seafood than pasta! Altogether a pretty stunning meal.
Hungo_Mungo
3rd January 2022 Excellent food and staff who worked none stop making sure every one had a good time well worth booking a table in the bar restaurant or outside in these COVID... read more times food excellent staff excellent going back again for another meal tonight 
Railway999
10th June 2021 The most amazing food and it's Vegan! - Just been to the Bell for supper and it was absolutely fantastic! Have visited many times for a drink but have not eaten here before. The luxury of being able... read more to order a vegan meal without the anxiety of having to explain what we can eat was just wonderful. Lovely friendly staff and the atmosphere is really special. Beautiful pub and obviously very popular as most tables were taken and lots of locals in the bar. Many thanks again. 
sheshacourtney
10th February 2023