The Old Bell Hotel is a hotel destination wedding venue in Malmesbury, United Kingdom, hosting 120 at dinner.

The Old Bell Hotel

MalmesburyEngland, United Kingdom

The Old Bell Hotel is a historic hotel in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, with 34 rooms sleeping up to 88 guests across the main building and a collection of separate Abbey Row townhouses.

Guests
120 at dinner
Rooms
34 rooms, sleep 88
Cost
£5,000 to £8,000venue fee
Ceremony
Legal ceremony on site
Getting there
BRSabout 50 min by car

About the venue

The Old Bell Hotel is a historic hotel in Malmesbury, Wiltshire, with 34 rooms sleeping up to 88 guests across the main building and a collection of separate Abbey Row townhouses.

Licensed for legal ceremonies on site, the venue seats up to 100 for a ceremony and 120 for a seated dinner, with gardens for outdoor ceremonies and indoor space held in reserve as backup.

Catering is handled in house, there is a bar and dedicated dance space, and an on-site coordinator works with couples from planning through to the day itself.

Bristol Airport (BRS) is around a 50-minute transfer away, parking is available and pets are welcome.

  • 34 rooms sleeping up to 88 guests, including separate Abbey Row townhouses for 3 to 6 people
  • Licensed for legal ceremonies on site, seating up to 100 guests
  • Seated dining and standing receptions for up to 120; minimum of 16 guests
  • Gardens for outdoor ceremonies with indoor backup space

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Capacity, rooms and facilities

Last updated

Capacity

Seated dinner
120 guests
Standing reception
120 guests
Ceremony, seated
100 guests
Smallest party taken
16 guests

Staying over

Rooms
34 rooms
Sleeps
88 guests
Room types
23 listed
Whole property to yourselves
Yes
Whole property must be taken with the wedding
No

House rules

Exclusive use required
No
Pets
Yes
Nearest airport
BRS, 50 min by car
Parking
Yes
Step-free access
No

Questions about the venue

Where a number is our estimate, we say so.

What does the venue fee cover?
The venue fee starts at £5,000 (with pricing running to £8,000) and includes the ceremony space, reception space, coordinator and furniture. Catering, drinks and accommodation are charged separately, and there is a minimum spend of £10,000.
Can we bring our own caterer?
No. Catering is provided in house and external caterers are not permitted. Corkage is allowed, so some of your own drinks can be arranged with the team.
Can we book the whole property exclusively?
Yes, a full buyout is available, though neither a buyout nor exclusive use is required to hold your wedding here.
How many guests can stay on site?
The hotel has 34 rooms sleeping up to 88 guests in total, ranging from single and classic double rooms to the Master Suite for four and three-bedroom Abbey Row townhouses for six.
How do we get there and is parking available?
The nearest airport is Bristol (BRS), roughly a 50-minute transfer, and the venue has parking on site. Pets are welcome.

The venue is one part of the budget. Budget a wedding in the United Kingdom with Aisle’s calculator: it starts from modelled estimates for food and drink, bedrooms, a welcome dinner and suppliers in the United Kingdom, and you can replace each one with a quote.

Sources and booking notes

Confirm your dates, guest numbers, room arrangements and inclusions with the venue before booking. An enquiry does not reserve a date.

Venue wedding information

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Sources for individual venue facts
  • Seated dinner: 120 guests

    “Dining Capacity”
    Read the source for seated dinner
  • Standing reception: 120 guests

    “Reception Capacity”
    Read the source for standing reception
  • Ceremony, seated: 100 guests

    “For meetings and events, The Garden Room, a light-filled space, created with Cotswolds stone and with views over the gardens, accommodates 120 guests for a cocktail reception and up to 100 seated (theatre style).”
    Read the source for ceremony, seated
  • Smallest party taken: 16 guests

    “Experience our intimate wedding packages, where up to sixteen special guests are invited to share in the magic of your perfect day.”
    Read the source for smallest party taken
  • Rooms: 34 rooms

    “Welcome to The Old Bell Hotel, our Grade I listed hotel with 34 rooms, rumoured to be England’s oldest hotel.”
    Read the source for rooms
  • Sleeps: 88 guests

    “Sleeps No. of People”
    Read the source for sleeps
  • Room types: 23 listed

    “Classic Double Room”
    Read the source for room types
  • Whole property to yourselves: Yes

    “Plan your dream wedding experience at our Grade I listed hotel, with exclusive use of our charming Cotswolds based venue and bespoke wedding spaces!”
    Read the source for whole property to yourselves
  • Whole property must be taken with the wedding: No

    “The perfect place for you to enjoy your special day, whether its a small intimate wedding or a bigger celebration with all your family and friends.”
    Read the source for whole property must be taken with the wedding
  • Legal ceremony on site: Yes

    “Wedding license”
    Read the source for legal ceremony on site
  • Chapel on site: No

    “Church within walking distance”
    Read the source for chapel on site
  • Outdoor ceremony: Yes

    “Outdoor Ceremony Available”
    Read the source for outdoor ceremony
  • Indoor option if it rains: Yes

    “Even when the British weather doesn’t cooperate, guests can still enjoy the tranquil views, thanks to the glass-enclosed, light-filled space.”
    Read the source for indoor option if it rains
  • In-house catering: Yes

    “External caterers not permitted”
    Read the source for in-house catering
  • Outside caterers allowed: No

    “External caterers not permitted”
    Read the source for outside caterers allowed
  • Bring your own wine: Yes

    “Corkage Charge for Own Alcohol”
    Read the source for bring your own wine
  • Bar on site: Yes

    “There is also a small cosy room off the lounges, known as the 1220 bar (because it is home to a hooded stone fireplace dating to 1220).”
    Read the source for bar on site
  • Price: £5,000 to £8,000 venue fee

    “Price: £5,000 – £8,000”
    Read the source for price
  • Minimum spend: £10,000

    “Mid-week £5,000 Monday – Thursday Minimum F&B spend - £10,000 Weekend £8,000.00 Friday – Sunday Minimum F&B spend - £13,000 The price above includes the following: • Your wedding ceremony is to take place in one of our beautiful licensed spaces; The Garden Room, Library or our outside space including our Belvedere. • Top terrace for pre-dining drinks and canapes or the Tyger Bar • The Garden Room or Library for the wedding breakfast • White table linen and Chiavari wooden chairs • Personalised headed menus • Wedding co-ordinator to manage the day of your wedding on-site at The Old Bell”
    Read the source for minimum spend
  • Venue fee: £5,000

    “Price: £5,000 – £8,000”
    Read the source for venue fee
  • Included: Ceremony space, reception space, a coordinator and furniture

    “Mid-week £5,000 Monday – Thursday Minimum F&B spend - £10,000 Weekend £8,000.00 Friday – Sunday Minimum F&B spend - £13,000 The price above includes the following: • Your wedding ceremony is to take place in one of our beautiful licensed spaces; The Garden Room, Library or our outside space including our Belvedere. • Top terrace for pre-dining drinks and canapes or the Tyger Bar • The Garden Room or Library for the wedding breakfast • White table linen and Chiavari wooden chairs • Personalised headed menus • Wedding co-ordinator to manage the day of your wedding on-site at The Old Bell”
    Read the source for included
  • Not included: Catering, drinks and rooms

    “Mid-week £5,000 Monday – Thursday Minimum F&B spend - £10,000 Weekend £8,000.00 Friday – Sunday Minimum F&B spend - £13,000 The price above includes the following: • Your wedding ceremony is to take place in one of our beautiful licensed spaces; The Garden Room, Library or our outside space including our Belvedere. • Top terrace for pre-dining drinks and canapes or the Tyger Bar • The Garden Room or Library for the wedding breakfast • White table linen and Chiavari wooden chairs • Personalised headed menus • Wedding co-ordinator to manage the day of your wedding on-site at The Old Bell”
    Read the source for not included
  • Exclusive use required: No

    “The perfect place for you to enjoy your special day, whether its a small intimate wedding or a bigger celebration with all your family and friends.”
    Read the source for exclusive use required
  • Pets: Yes

    “Dog-friendly rooms are also available on request.”
    Read the source for pets
  • Nearest airport: BRS, 50 min by car

    “The nearest major airport is Bristol International Airport (BRS) - 60.5 km / 37.6 mi”
    Read the source for nearest airport
  • Parking: Yes

    “• Free parking onsite”
    Read the source for parking
  • Step-free access: No

    “Currently the property does not have wheelchair access.”
    Read the source for step-free access
  • Event spaces: Banquet room

    “Meeting/banquet facilities”
    Read the source for event spaces
  • Reception indoors: Yes

    “Enjoy the intimate charm of our warm and cozy library setting or opt for the bright and airy Cotswold stone garden room for larger celebrations.”
    Read the source for reception indoors
  • Space for dancing: Yes

    “Dancefloor available”
    Read the source for space for dancing
  • Swimming pool: No

    “There’s no spa or gym, but guests have free access to equipment and classes at PD Fitness, a five-minute walk down the road.”
    Read the source for swimming pool
  • Gardens: Yes

    “Our beautifully landscaped outdoor spaces provide the perfect backdrop for canapés and drinks, while the Belvedere offers a secluded retreat for the bride and groom.”
    Read the source for gardens
  • Historic building: Yes

    “Welcome to The Old Bell Hotel, our Grade I listed hotel with 34 rooms, rumoured to be England’s oldest hotel.”
    Read the source for historic building
  • Coordinator on the day: Yes

    “Our wedding team will manage every detail of your special occasion ensuring your wedding flows seamlessly, allowing you to focus on enjoying your dream day.”
    Read the source for coordinator on the day
£5,000 to £8,000venue fee

Could this be your venue?

Ask about prices and free dates for the month you have in mind. You do not need a fixed date.