The hamlet of Bilby is within the parish of Barnby Moor constituting a detached portion thereof due to being separated by narrow strips of Hodsock and Babworth.

The inn became well-known during the 18th century when stagecoaches began running and in 1714, a traveler remarked there were so many coaches at the Bell that ‘some were ill to find room’.

A notable incident involved a Captain Swing and his men setting fire to hay close to the Bell during a bitter row between peasants and landowners.

Famous people who stayed there include Princess Victoria who later became queen, Edmund Gwenn, and Sir Walter Scott.

He died in 1901 and his son Sydney inherited the estate and Firbeck Hall from a relative, however he preferred the latter and sold Barnby Moor House to the Barber family, notably holding coal rights, including Harworth Colliery.

The village shop, post office and church have become private residences and The Reindeer Hotel is an old people's home.