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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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 This was the third stay at the Bell, (it would have been more if it had not been for Covid), no hassles at all, arrived, quickly shown to the room... read more and then a good night in the bar and restaurant.
The Room, we stayed in Fox, just right for our two night stay, lovely clean bed and sheets, shower was good and fully adjustable for temperature, the TV was good and had most channels, my only gripe is that the internet was a little weak but I was not there to work.
The Staff, all the staff we met were so positive and prompt, service with a smile, now with Covid and the restrictions it was table service, the waitresses were always there to take orders and deliver the drinks, perfect, no waiting for drinks.
The Food, top class, we loved every meal we had, in both main meals and sweets, the food was excellent. Restaurant service was great and timing was good.
Will we stay again, yes already booked for September. 
Renegade-62
1st July 2021 - We popped in for lunch on a busy Saturday. We had a great friendly welcome and staff were attentive even when very busy and we hadn't booked. We enjoyed olives... read more and then fish and chips and a burger. There was a wait but staff had informed us right from the start. It's a lovely pub with great attention to detail such as having blankets for outside tables. We really enjoyed our food and the friendly service . Thank you we will be back
Rachael Anne H
10th April 2022 Mr and Mrs Harniman-coote - We loved the atmosphere and staff were really friendly they made our boxer dog feel so comfortable. The food was fantastic they had a new menu on for the Friday... read more night and it was amazing. The breakfast was lovely and happy hour on Friday always going to be a hit... all the locals were really friendly even with the rugby on. Will definitely be coming back very soon 
Harniman
6th February 2023 Great Food, splendid atmosphere, service was good. Friday night - live music lots of happy people enjoying this lovely local pub.
Love the restaurant for a quiet meal for... read more however the bar is buzzing.
Thank you Andie and team, we enjoyed our night out, we will be back! 
thistleygreen
18th December 2021 - We had planned for a meal on the Broads but the beautiful unexpected weather had meant many riverside restaurants were fully booked. So we headed back to the area we... read more had rented a cottage and tried the Bell Inn which I had passed by the previous day (going to the co op!) Very welcoming lady took the booking on the phone and we arrived within the hour. We were a bit early so sat on a table outside for a drink first. Before we could even decide if we needed to order inside at the bar, a friendly chap appeared at the table ready to take our order straight away! Well the food was delicious - butternut squash soup a must! But we wanted to compliment the 3 servers (two chaps and one lady who we assumed was the manageress). Not only were they serving inside and out, taking drinks and food to tables they were also checking in guests to the hotel rooms at the pub. A very well run establishment - friendly helpful staff and tasty food served to a high quality to boot.
Michelle H
24th September 2021 We were made to feel welcome from when we arrived until we left. There was a good selection of real ales; light & dark; those tried were in excellent condition,... read more we had a very enjoyable Sunday lunch, the food was very tasty & plentiful. Adding to the atmosphere was the open fire, which was welcome on a cold day! (No smell of smoke either, it drew very well!) We came into contact with several of the people working there, they were all very obliging & looked after us as if we were old friends. We look forward to a return visit at some point, hopefully on a Fri or Sat evening for a live band. It would be worth the 70 mile round trip for us! 
750grahamw
10th December 2021 Great evening meal with friends - I spent the evening with three old school friends. The room was comfortable and quiet. The service and food was excellent. We then went downstairs and enjoyed a 'nightcap' before... read more we went to our room. 
Max R
5th December 2022