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THE RING O ' BELLS by Si Hall
The Ring O ' Bells West Kirby- A True Pub with Heart. At Wirral Life, we’ ve always had a passion for pubs. Not just any pubs – but those that hold onto the fundamentals that make them timeless. Genuine, lovely people. Fresh, authentic food. Quality wines and well-kept beers. Warm, comfortable spaces where you immediately feel at home. While trends come and go, those essentials never change – and that’ s exactly why Ring O’ Bells feels so welcoming.
Tucked away just a stone’ s throw from the centre of town, the Ring O’ Bells combines everything we love about a proper local with the flair and confidence of a kitchen team given freedom to create. Step through the doors and you’ re greeted by the crackle of log fires in autumn and winter, a warm smile from the staff, and an interior that balances rustic charm with understated elegance. On our visit, we dined in the high-ceiling garden room, bathed in natural light and buzzing with the easy rhythm of friends, families, and couples sharing a meal. It’ s the kind of space that instantly makes you want to linger. What sets the Ring O’ Bells apart is its commitment to sourcing from local suppliers, and a belief that hearty homemade food should come with a twist. The chefs are encouraged to bring creativity to the table, and that freedom shines through in a menu that feels both comforting and interesting. It’ s pub dining, yes, but elevated in a way that feels effortless
Starters to Share and Savour. We began with a trio of starters that showcased the breadth of the menu. The salt and pepper squid, light and crisp, with a punchy lemon aioli – a dish that disappeared almost as quickly as it arrived. The Tennessee pork bites were sticky and indulgent, glazed with bourbon and scattered with sesame and spring onion, offering that irresistible balance of sweet, smoky, and savoury. For seafood lovers, the prawns pil pil was an instant hit – plump king prawns sizzling in garlic, chilli, and paprika oil, paired perfectly with toasted sourdough to soak up every last drop.
Each dish was generous the kind of starters designed to share with the table, but equally tempting to keep all to yourself.
Mains with Imagination When it came to the mains, the kitchen’ s creativity really came into its own. The Moroccan spiced lamb rump was a standout, perfectly pink and tender, paired with apricot and date couscous, baba ganoush, pepper caponata, fatoush salad, and pistachios. It was a plate brimming with colour, fragrance, and flavour – the kind of dish you’ d happily find in a high-end restaurant, yet it felt right at home here.
Equally impressive was the grilled salmon, king prawn and padron pepper jerk-style skewers, served with coconut and sultana braised rice and a smoked pineapple and red pepper salsa. Layered with flavour, a nod to the Caribbean while staying rooted in the hearty style that Ring O’ Bells does so well.
For classics lovers, the Chicken Caesar salad- anchovies, cos lettuce, garlic croutons, smoked bacon & Parmasen tossed together in a Caesar dressing topped with a soft-boiled egg was spot on – as was the divine Pan roasted chicken supreme in a sundried tomato & basil Tuscan style cream sauce with pressed rosemary potatoes, spinach, asparagus & crispy Parma ham. The slow cooked lamb, root vegetable and red wine pie also delivered exactly what you want on a cool autumn day: comforting, rich, and generous. The Plancha seared seabass on a chorizo, roquito pepper, samphire saffron paella was as stunning as it looks.
Vegetarians and vegans are also in for a treat. The spring green risotto was fresh and vibrant, packed with asparagus, sugar snaps, garden peas, vegan parmesan, and mint. It felt like spring on a plate – proof that this is a pub where everyone is welcome and well catered for.
Desserts Worth the Indulgence No visit would be complete without something sweet, and the dessert menu here is more than an afterthought. The maple & thyme roasted peach melba was light yet indulgent, with cashew cream, raspberries, lemon sorbet and oat crumb bringing freshness and texture. For pure comfort, the sticky toffee pudding with butterscotch sauce and honeycomb ice cream ticked every box – familiar, nostalgic, but with just enough of a twist to make it memorable. The mango crème brûlée was a bright and delicate finish, the crack of caramel revealing silky, tropical custard.
The Ring O’ Bells Spirit What makes Ring O’ Bells truly shine is the sense that this is more than just a place to eat. It’ s a community pub with heart – where the team are trusted to create, to care, and to bring personality into every dish and every interaction. There’ s no sense of pretension, just a genuine love for food, drink, and people. Whether you’ re warming yourself by the fire in winter, enjoying a lazy lunch in the garden room, or dropping by for a pint and pie after a walk, you’ ll find the same warm welcome and the same attention to quality.
In summary At Wirral Life, we celebrate places that feel authentic – places that stay true to the values of hospitality while moving with the times. Ring O’ Bells is exactly that. A pub that honours tradition but isn’ t afraid to evolve. A place that proves hearty, homemade food can also be imaginative and exciting. And above all, a reminder that the best pubs are those where you walk in as a guest and leave looking for a reason to come back.
Ring O’ Bells isn’ t just a pub in West Kirby. It’ s a destination, a comfort, and a celebration of what great British hospitality should be.
36 44 34 wirrallife seftonlife. com