The history of The Bear at Wantage is a long tale to tell, even though it doesn't quite go back as far as King Alfred's days, who was born in Wantage in AD 847. Suffice to say, as the town's largest hotel it has overlooked the historic market place for nearly 500 years, and in that time has been a staging point for thousands of weary travellers - as well as those wanting to fill up on great food and superb ales in sumptuous surroundings.
Today, The Bear is the hub of Wantage. You can expect to find busy mornings full of coffee/tea drinkers taking advantage of the complimentary cake (10-5) or evening patrons supping real ales or mini Prosecco. Award winning restaurant with head chef Dylan Bettson and 34 newly decorated en suite hotel rooms.
Today, The Bear is the hub of Wantage. You can expect to find busy mornings full of coffee/tea drinkers taking advantage of the complimentary cake (10-5) or evening patrons supping real ales or mini Prosecco. Award winning restaurant with head chef Dylan Bettson and 34 newly decorated en suite hotel rooms.
Services
You can expect to see anyone from 18 to 80 at the bar - either on their laptop browsing the web, enjoying a pint and a chat or having an informal business lunch. Our spacious, old bar is frequented by a steady and diverse stream of people throughout the day, with an atmosphere that's busy, yet always relaxed.
For food, The Bear excels as well. Our menu is fully chef prepared using only the best local produce by Head Chef Dylan Bettson. For a quick lunch, we offer light bites to suit everyone, with quick service to match. Or you may choose to dine in the Twenty Six restaurant, one of the the outstanding features of the hotel.
As the largest hotel in Wantage, we have 34 en-suite rooms. For business or pleasure (and the surrounding countryside really is quiet beautiful) The Bear is the ideal location.
If you are looking for a 'staycation' this year we are the perfect base for many attractions such as Blenheim Palace, Bicester Outlet Village, Stonehenge and the cities/towns of London, Southampton, Oxford, Reading, Swindon, The Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, Henley, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester and Burford.
If you are looking for a 'staycation' this year we are the perfect base for many attractions such as Blenheim Palace, Bicester Outlet Village, Stonehenge and the cities/towns of London, Southampton, Oxford, Reading, Swindon, The Cotswolds, Stratford upon Avon, Henley, Cheltenham, Gloucester, Cirencester and Burford.
Reviews (10)
Helen Sinclair
Dec 04, 2021
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Stay was fantastic, staff were lovely and friendly and price was good. There was a minor level of dust/spiderwebs that had been missed, and breakfast on the Saturday morning let the show down, especially considering how delicious dinner the night before, and lunch that day and breakfast the next day all were. Not sure what went wrong there, but that's pretty much the only thing which makes me put 4 instead of 5 stars. I'd definitely stay here again if I'm ever in the area again!
Wayne Flanagan
Nov 26, 2021
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Nick Mercer
Nov 19, 2021
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School reunion dinner and overnight
I stayed over night on 27 November after the Alfredians Club dinner, which the Bear team ran superbly as ever at the same time as the dining room was full and the bar rocking!
Your team of waitresses could not have been more, attentive. The lovely Megan looked after my end of 1 table and she was quick charming and efficient. I partucukarkyvlije that she had to be reminded to take payment for wine orders and counselled her that we old boys aren't all entirely reliable for remembering to pay!
The food was delicious, and generously portioned. I was, so full by
I stayed over night on 27 November after the Alfredians Club dinner, which the Bear team ran superbly as ever at the same time as the dining room was full and the bar rocking!
Your team of waitresses could not have been more, attentive. The lovely Megan looked after my end of 1 table and she was quick charming and efficient. I partucukarkyvlije that she had to be reminded to take payment for wine orders and counselled her that we old boys aren't all entirely reliable for remembering to pay!
The food was delicious, and generously portioned. I was, so full by
Kerry James
Nov 02, 2021
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Christine Ashdown
Oct 27, 2021
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Helen Fallon
Oct 22, 2021
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Vanessa Setford
Oct 05, 2021
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T. N.
Aug 30, 2021
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Helen Carter
Aug 19, 2021
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Good food at very reasonable cost, good service. Difficult for my husband who has two hearing aids. Very echoey and lots of noise coming with from the bar so need to ask to go into the restaurant next time but the person we were with likes it in the part we were in - he uses an electric buggy and is easily accommodated in the 'conservatory'.
Derek Butler
Jul 03, 2021
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The staff were very good, polite and attentive. The main course was superb. The dessert was a different story. I had the cheese board, 3 small portions of different cheese a few crackers, was half a dozen walnuts the accompaniments? Where was the chutney, grapes, slices of apple etc.. It was the cheese board which let the meal down. With a decent cheeseboard selection I would have given 5 stars
