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The Bell
hotel

We have three Weatherspoon pubs in Norwich City: The Glasshouse, Queen of Iceni and The Bell Hotel. But this building wasn't always a Weatherspoons. JD Weatherspoons acquired The Bell Hotel in the 1990s, saving it from demolition. It was one of their first acquisitions outside London.

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The Bell Hotel is said to date from 1485 and was later one of the city's leading coaching inns. During World War II, the top floor was turned into a dormitory for the American Women's Army Air Corps. It has recently become an unlikely alternate study spot for students! The libraries on campus and in the city get very busy during peak study season, and during the day The Bell Hotel is quite a peaceful spot. 99p coffee with refills also makes it a very affordable study spot.

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Source: https://www.jdwetherspoon.com/pub-histories/england/norfolk/the-bell-hotel-norwich 

THEN

This is a black and white image of the Bell Hotel in the 19th Century. It shows horses and carriages parked outside the brick structure displaying the name of the hotel.

The Bell Hotel in the 19th Century

Image Source: http://www.norwich-heritage.co.uk/photo_gallery/gallery.shtm

NOW

This is an image of Bell Hotel in 2023. There is a tree to the right in front of the entrance to the pub. The once brick building is now white, with Bell Hotel written on the front in black

The Bell Hotel in 2023

Image Source: Taken by Norwich: Then and Now

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