It’s not too often that the theme of our family vacations can be labeled with the term “relaxing” and that’s just fine with us. It’s rare that we visit the same country twice (there’s so much to discover in this world, it’s hard not to keeping venturing elsewhere), so we pack each and every inch of our itinerary with things to do and see. Luckily, I married a man with the same travel outlook as me and wound up with a kiddo who thrives on new experiences so we all get along just fine.
That said, there was one day on our extended holiday to the UK where we reveled in an itty bitty patch of time off and it inspired the flow of one of our upcoming trips to be more laid back, fly by the seat of our pants.
Said spot is the English city of Malmesbury where we visited for one reason alone: a gorgeous, history-injected hotel called The Old Bell. I sought out The Old Bell when planning our trip and didn’t care how far out of our way we had to drive to get there. I’m dropping this picture below to explain why, it does a much better job than I ever could.
Yes, you read that right — 1220 and the rumored oldest hotel in England. Holy crow!
Everything was charming from start to finish. Just look at the room key. 
Although we wanted to explore the hotel, we were pretty weary from traveling and felt bad putting Fox in another high chair in a restaurant, so we decided to stay in for the night. We went nuts ordering room service (they have incredible food offerings) and I even got my clotted cream and tea. If they made IVs of cream tea I would most likely overdose with a smile on my face.
After dinner Fox passed out face down on the floor and we flipped through photos of our travels so far. It was so relaxing to enjoy our room for several hours before hitting the hay. Although there are stories of bumps in the night at The Old Bell, we had a proper night’s sleep. 
We had brunch the next morning and explored the property. You could see Malmesbury Abbey from our room as it was directly next door. My favorite part of traveling is when I get that “We’re not in Kansas anymore” feeling and this town definitely put me right there. Situated on the southern edge of the Cotswolds, it’s a nice quiet area that’s key for relaxation.
The only part I regret is visiting a bit too early for the front of the building to be covered in vivid purple Wisteria flowers.
From The Old Bell, we started our trek to a place I’ve had pinned on my “Take a Hike” Pinterest board for ages: Arlington Row in the Cotswolds.
On the way we kept passing all of these rapeseed fields in a brilliant yellow hue and kept wanting to stop, but the roads are narrow and we didn’t want to be unsafe. Finally we got to one that had a designated pull-off and an entrance that seemed to welcome those who wanted to take a gander. I put on my rainboots (these were Godsend this trip, I wore them way more than I thought I would) and headed into the field. We only had to take a few steps in before being completely surrounded and Tyler was happy he got to use his tripod for the first and only time of the whole trip — haha. 
When we finally made it to Arlington Row I couldn’t get over the major bucket list item I was crossing off my list.
Nothing like a tourist’s shocking yellow car to break up this iconic shot 😉
Since we’re talking bucket list, what are the top five places on yours? Mine are Iceland, India, the Amazon River, Norway, and Banff. Stay tuned to find out which of these I have flights locked and loaded for this fall.
Thank you to The Old Bell for your incredible hospitality in hosting us for the night. We will always sing your praises after such a relaxing stop.
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I officially have a new place added to my bucket list! This looks absolutely beautiful! Norway (after seeing Ex Machina 🙂 ) and India are a couple of others on mine.
It was so surreal, all of it. I have to check out Ex Machina, I’m ashamed to say I haven’t yet :/
Sarabeth McElhaney recently posted…More Scotland: Aberfoyle + Stirling
Malmesbury is set in a rural location typical of Cotswold villages, with a population of about 5000, and a famous church that dates back to the 12th century.
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The idea of a hotel dating back to 1220 is absolutely mind-blowing! I can totally understand why you’d make the detour for The Old Bell. It sounds like the perfect place to inject a bit of that “relaxing” element you mentioned, even into a packed itinerary. It’s interesting how sometimes the most unexpected, charming locations can inspire a shift in how we approach travel planning. I’ve been thinking a lot about how to balance seeing everything with actually enjoying the moments, and that concept of a more laid-back, spontaneous trip is really appealing. It reminds me a bit of how I approach creative projects; sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not forcing them, which is a principle I try to apply even when generating design concepts on myink ai.
That hotel, The Old Bell, sounds absolutely incredible! The fact that it dates back to 1220 is just mind-boggling. It’s interesting how sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip aren’t the jam-packed itineraries, but those unexpected moments of peace. I’ve found that with my own travel planning, sometimes intentionally leaving room for spontaneity leads to the best discoveries. It reminds me a bit of how I approach my favorite Mahjong Solitaire CC games – while there’s a definite strategy, sometimes the most satisfying wins come from adapting to the tiles as they appear. It’s a lovely balance to strike between adventure and relaxation.
The detail about The Old Bell being rumored to be the oldest hotel in England, dating back to 1220, is absolutely fascinating! It boggles the mind to think of all the history those walls must have seen. It’s a shame you were too weary to explore it more, but I completely understand wanting to prioritize rest after traveling. It sounds like a truly unique place. I’ve always been drawn to historical accommodations, and the thought of staying somewhere with such a deep past is incredibly appealing. I wrote about a similar approach to historical communication on MorseTranslator and found that connecting with the past in tangible ways can be really enriching.
I’m always fascinated by how certain places can inspire a shift in travel philosophy, even for the most itinerary-driven families. The idea of a “history-injected hotel” like The Old Bell, dating back to 1220, is incredible. It makes me wonder about all the stories those walls could tell. It’s a bit like choosing a tattoo – you want something with meaning and longevity, not just a fleeting trend. I’ve actually written about a similar approach to intentional design choices on Before You Ink, focusing on how to avoid future regret by really considering the permanence and inspiration behind a decision. It sounds like Malmesbury offered a welcome, reflective pause on your adventure.
The idea of a “relaxing” family vacation, especially when traveling internationally, seems almost paradoxical given how much there is to see and do. It’s refreshing to hear that you embrace packing the itinerary full, and I can relate to the challenge of revisiting countries when the world is so vast. It’s fascinating that the Old Bell in Malmesbury, dating back to 1220, became a point of pause to embrace a more laid-back pace. That historical significance, even just in the room key, is incredible. It makes me wonder how many other hidden gems like that exist, waiting to offer a moment of respite amidst a packed adventure. I’ve been exploring some similar historical aspects in my own travel writing on Wordleos, and it’s always inspiring to see how places can evoke such a strong sense of history.
The idea of finding a hotel in Malmesbury that dates back to 1220 is absolutely incredible! It’s fascinating how some places manage to preserve so much history while still functioning as modern accommodations. While your family’s usual travel style sounds exciting and packed, it’s great that you carved out a moment for relaxation at The Old Bell. It reminds me a bit of how we approach interior design sometimes; even with complex projects, finding a core element of beauty or history to build around can make all the difference. I’ve seen beautiful historical renovations that still feel incredibly fresh, much like your description of the hotel. It makes me wonder what challenges and triumphs go into maintaining a building that old while making it comfortable for guests.
The idea of a “history-injected hotel” like The Old Bell, dating back to 1220, is absolutely fascinating! It sounds like such a unique anchor to the trip, even if it meant a slight detour. I love that you found a place that inspired a more relaxed pace for part of your travels – sometimes those unexpected moments of downtime are the most memorable. It reminds me of how a well-chosen game can offer a mental break too; I often find myself unwinding with a few rounds of Mahjong Solitaire Online when I need a quiet moment. Did you get to explore much of Malmesbury itself, or was the hotel the main focus for that particular day?
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The idea of visiting a hotel dating back to 1220 is absolutely fascinating. It’s incredible to think about the history that must be held within those walls. I can definitely see why you’d make a special trip for The Old Bell, even if it meant going out of your way. It sounds like a welcome change of pace from a jam-packed itinerary. My family and I tend to do the same thing – cram as much as possible into our trips, but sometimes those unexpected moments of quiet discovery end up being the most memorable. It makes me wonder if a more structured approach to “relaxing” travel is something we should consider more often. I once tried to incorporate a slower pace into a trip to Italy, and it was surprisingly refreshing; I even wrote about how I approached it on Bold Text Generator.
The idea of a “relaxing” family vacation feels like a mythical creature sometimes, so I really appreciate you sharing that one day of downtime in Malmesbury. It’s a fascinating concept to seek out a hotel that’s literally steeped in history, like The Old Bell. The fact that it dates back to 1220 is mind-blowing! It makes me wonder about all the stories those walls could tell. We often try to cram so much into our trips too, but sometimes, a slower pace in a unique place is exactly what you need. It sounds like you found a gem, and it’s inspiring to think about building a trip around that kind of experience. I wrote about a similar approach to finding unexpected gems on Crossy Road Online and found that sometimes the most memorable moments come from those unplanned, charming discoveries.
The point about embracing a more laid-back approach after a packed itinerary really resonates with me. It’s so easy to fall into the trap of trying to see *everything*, especially when you’re visiting a new country. I completely understand wanting to make the most of it, but sometimes those unexpected moments of downtime become the most memorable. The Old Bell Hotel sounds absolutely incredible, especially with its rumored history dating back to 1220! That’s astounding. I’m always fascinated by places that have stood the test of time. I wrote about a similar approach to travel planning on lily lovebraids and found that sometimes the best discoveries happen when you allow for spontaneity. It sounds like you found a perfect example of that in Malmesbury.
The idea of finding a truly “relaxing” family vacation is such a novel concept for many of us, myself included! It’s admirable that you and your family embrace packing itineraries full of new experiences. I can totally relate to the desire to explore new countries, though sometimes a gem like The Old Bell in Malmesbury sounds like it might be worth breaking that rule for. The hotel’s history, dating back to 1220, is absolutely mind-blowing and makes me wonder about all the stories those walls could tell. It’s a shame you were too weary to explore it more, but focusing on rest is important too. I’ve found that sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip are the unexpected moments of calm, much like how I enjoy the simple, repetitive fun of games like Crossy Road Online when I need a break.
That old hotel, The Old Bell, sounds absolutely incredible! It’s fascinating how even with a packed itinerary, finding a truly special place like that can inspire a shift in travel style. I can see why you’d go out of your way for a hotel with that much history – 1220 is mind-boggling! It reminds me a bit of how I approach picking new games; I often look for something with a really unique premise or a strong nostalgic feel, even if it means digging a bit deeper. I wrote about a similar approach to finding hidden gems on OrbitDash and it sounds like The Old Bell is exactly that kind of discovery. It’s great you and your family could appreciate that quiet moment amidst your adventures.
Stayed at The Old Bell years ago and it’s honestly worth the detour just for the vibe alone. Honestly though, trying to plan a trip like this with a kid is a nightmare, I’m still tracking when do I ovulate just so I don’t have to deal with extra stress while traveling.
That hotel, The Old Bell, sounds absolutely incredible! The idea of staying in a place that’s been around since 1220 is mind-boggling, especially when you think about all the history it must have witnessed. It’s funny how sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip are the unplanned moments of respite, isn’t it? I’ve found that trying to pack too much into a vacation can often lead to burnout, so embracing a more relaxed pace, even just for a day, can be a game-changer. It makes me wonder if there are other historical gems like that in the Cotswolds that offer a similar unique lodging experience. I’ve been looking into some interesting historical sites myself lately, and it’s fascinating to see how places preserve their past.
The idea of visiting a hotel from 1220 is absolutely mind-blowing! It’s fascinating how you sought out The Old Bell specifically, even if it meant a detour. I can totally relate to the desire to pack a lot into family vacations, especially when exploring new countries. We tend to do the same, trying to squeeze in as much as possible. But that one day of “relaxing” you described sounds like it was exactly what you needed, and it’s great that it’s influencing future trips to be a bit more spontaneous. It reminds me a bit of how I approach curating content for Halloween Casual Games – finding those unique, unexpected gems that make the experience special. I’m curious, what was the most surprising historical detail you learned about The Old Bell during your brief stay?
The detail about the Old Bell hotel dating back to 1220 is just astounding! It’s incredible to think about the history that building must have witnessed. I love that you embraced a more relaxed pace for that part of your trip, even with a packed itinerary. It’s a good reminder that sometimes the most memorable experiences come from intentional downtime. We recently planned a short break and I spent a lot of time making sure our communications were professional, even down to the details of our Email Signature Generator, so I can appreciate the thought you put into finding that perfect, historic stay. It sounds like a truly unique stop.
The idea of a hotel dating back to 1220 is absolutely mind-boggling! It’s fascinating how you prioritized visiting The Old Bell despite its location, and the picture really does speak volumes about its historical charm. I can definitely relate to the desire to pack itineraries full when traveling internationally, as there’s so much to see. However, your experience even just for a single day there has me contemplating the value of incorporating some truly “fly by the seat of your pants” moments into future trips. It sounds like a refreshing change of pace, and I’ve found that sometimes the unexpected pauses lead to the most memorable discoveries, much like the satisfaction of solving a particularly tricky maze on Maze Craze Online.
The idea of a “history-injected hotel” like The Old Bell really resonates. It’s fascinating how a place can feel so lived-in and carry so much narrative, especially when you mention it’s rumored to be the oldest hotel in England, dating back to 1220! I love how you prioritized this unique stay, even if it meant a detour. It reminds me of how sometimes the most memorable parts of a trip aren’t the packed-to-the-brim itineraries, but those moments of quiet immersion in something truly special. We actually have a similar philosophy when we’re looking for unique online experiences, often digging into sites with a specific theme, like Halloween Puzzle Games, for that same sense of discovery and character. It’s great to hear your family, even the little one, thrives on these adventures!
That photo of The Old Bell really is striking, especially with it being rumored as the oldest hotel in England. It’s fascinating how sometimes a single, incredible place can completely shift your travel plans. For us, it’s often finding unique historical context that draws us in, much like how I’ve been exploring ways to represent that history online. I wrote about a similar approach on Schema Markup Generator and found that properly tagging historical elements can really bring them to life digitally. I can totally see why you’d make the detour for a place with such deep roots!
That old hotel in Malmesbury sounds incredible! It’s fascinating how some places just radiate history like that. I can totally relate to the urge to pack every minute when traveling, especially when you’re seeing a new country. My family is the same way – we’re always looking for new experiences. But you’re right, sometimes those unplanned, quiet moments can be the most memorable. It makes me think about how important it is to have those little respites, even on a packed itinerary. It’s a different kind of planning, but rewarding. For example, I’ve been focusing on crafting better digital communication lately, and I even wrote about a similar approach to creating a strong online impression on Email Signature Generator. It’s all about finding that balance, isn’t it?
The idea of visiting The Old Bell in Malmesbury purely for its historical significance, especially its rumored 1220 founding, is fascinating. It’s a different kind of travel than the packed itineraries you usually go for, but it sounds like it offered a much-needed pause. I can totally relate to that feeling of being weary from travel and wanting a more low-key experience. Sometimes, the most memorable parts of a trip are the unplanned moments of rest. It makes me think about how even simple things, like the room key design, can add to the charm. When we’re planning renovations, figuring out exact material quantities can feel a bit like that, and I often use a Concrete Calculator to get precise estimates for projects. It’s satisfying when the planning phase goes smoothly, just like your experience at The Old Bell sounds like it did.