Case Studies
The Bell at Charlbury
Client Daylesford Stays, part of the Bamford Collection
Architect Daylesford in-house team
Sector Hospitality
Location Chipping Norton. OX7
The Bell sits on Church Street in the historic Cotswold market town of Charlbury. First built as an inn in the 1600s, it is located in the centre of the original marketplace and was a hub for farmers and market goers – ‘…until the 1970s the livestock market still took place in the car park at the rear.’
Honouring this history and preserving the character of the inn were important considerations during a recent restoration project by owners, Daylesford Stays. The restoration prioritised the use of natural materials and traditional techniques.
Restored hanging pub sign
Pub signs are a tradition that originated in Rome where vines were hung outside a building that sold wine. The tradition began in Britain in the 12th century when most people were illiterate, and images were easier to understand. Daylesford Stays took inspiration from these early signs and asked Winthill to design, make and install the hanging pub sign with a functioning bell.
For authenticity and in the ethos of the restoration project, Winthill sourced a reclaimed bell for the centrepiece of the hanging pub sign, which was restored at the company’s workshop in Worcestershire. A frame was then designed to house the bell. It is fabricated from laser cut mild steel and powder coated for a durable and striking finish. The top bar bears ‘The Bell’ moniker hand-painted in the brand’s serif font by Winthill.
The hanging sign sits atop a chamfered timber post which stands tall and stark against the honeyed Cotswold stone buildings, ready to catch the eye of any thirsty passers-by.
Lady Bamford rang the bell to mark The Bell’s official opening in September 2023.
Façade signage
Winthill engineered and installed the façade signage in powder coated mild steel to complement the hanging pub sign. Each letter was laser cut to produce an accurate representation of The Bell’s logo and is in proportion with the architectural details of the front elevation. Once again, the powder coated finish pops against the Cotswold stone.
Interior details
The bar is the heart of any pub – it’s a place to laugh, love, and commiserate. Visitors to The Bell can do all this in style, propped against the custom-made bar while resting a foot on the elegant foot rail.
The polished bar top was fabricated by hand and the maker’s marks and unfinished brass patina complement the pub’s historic and charming interior. Laser cut brass was also punched and folded to form drip trays which slot effortlessly into the brass bar top. The foot rail is formed from solid brass tubing custom-built to follow the curves of the bar.
For added privacy, Winthill also made a replica of a traditional stable partition using Iroko timber and powder coated mild steel. This creates a visual break between the kitchen and restaurant.
Image credit: Martin Morrell
Modern country inn
Today, the 17th century pub is the latest addition to the Daylesford Stays collection. It boasts 12 pub rooms, a barn for private hire and an extensive garden. While much of the building had been modernised meaning some characteristics and qualities were lost, key elements such as the original roof, fireplaces and flagstone floors have been preserved and celebrated.
Set in an apple orchard, the garden is the perfect place to meet and relax during the warmer weather. The garden bar – a sympathetic wooden structure, stretches out over two terraces and looks out across the orchard. Winthill fabricated and fitted the support system for the serving hatches.
If you would like to find out more about our bespoke metalwork for pubs and hospitality, please get in touch.
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