The Old Bell Public House

WARMINSTER MARKET PLACE 1. 5411 (South Side) No 42 (The Old Bell Public House). (Formerly listed as Nos 12 and 13) ST 8745 SE 7/7 28.4.52.

II GV

1. Mid to late C18 front to older building (a 'Bell' hostelry mentioned in 1483; some C16 timber work retained in much modernised interior). 3 storeys, painted coursed rubble on Doric arcade at ground floor level (across pavement) of 6 arches, 2 to right of centre depressed. Cornices carried on rectangular piers. Plain string above and below 1st floor windows. Small moulded cornice, plain parapet and hipped old tile roof. 3 ranges of windows to upper floor with plain stone surrounds and small keystones, wide glazing bar sashes. Irregular modern, mullion and transom type, windows on ground floor. Upper floor to west partly tile hung. Roughly triangular stable yard at rear reached from No 44. To rear: 2 storey stable yard of coursed and squared rubble behind Nos 42 to 46 and Old Bell; brick dressings and old tile roof; long series of 1 1/2 and 2 storey extensions from rear of No 48 with narrow alleyway separating them from those of No 46, tiled roofs in 7 diminishing stages. No 50 has similar elevation treatment as front. Upper floor to rear of No 54 tile hung, above 2 1/2 storey gabled extension of brick with stone quoins, 2 dormers, 2 large and one small window on 1st floor with remains of moulded surrounds and an arched opening on ground floor to right. Links with 2 1/2 storey extension to rear of No 52. Fine staircase at rear of No 48 (inside) with turned balusters and ramped rail and dado, and a panelled room at rear of present restaurant. The Old Bell remains the best example of the old inns at Warminster.

Listing NGR: ST8754145032