About This Pub
Oh, The Holly Bush – it's one of those pubs that just warms your heart from the get-go. From what I've seen in the reviews, it's spot-on for special occasions like weddings, with Vanessa and her team pulling out all the stops to ensure everything runs like clockwork, whether you're dealing with marquees or a full-blown party setup. The food gets rave mentions too; those massive roast dinners and scrumptious desserts sound like they'd hit the spot on a chilly evening, and the well-kept ales add to the authentic vibe. It's got this lovely, old-school charm with dark wood and a peaceful beer garden that's perfect for a chinwag with friends without any distractions. On the downside, though, there haven't been any fresh reviews lately, and the website's a bit of a mess, so you might need to verify it's open before heading over. All in all, it's a gem if you're after a genuine, welcoming pub experience, but do your homework first to avoid any hitches – I'd say it's well worth it for a proper British night out.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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The staff, especially Vanessa the owner, are incredibly friendly and go above and beyond to make events like weddings truly special – it's like having a mate in charge.
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The food is an absolute treat; think massive, tasty roast dinners with plenty of gravy and fab desserts that leave you wanting seconds.
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It's got that charming traditional feel with dark wood panelling, well-kept ales, and a beautiful beer garden that's perfect for a relaxing catch-up.
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Ideal for hosting events, with glowing feedback on how smoothly everything runs, from marquees to bouncy castles – a real winner for celebrations.
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The peaceful atmosphere without any TVs or modern gadgets makes it a lovely spot to unwind and enjoy good company over a pint.
Cons
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There's no info on operating hours, which can make it a bit of a faff to plan a visit and avoid any disappointment.
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No recent reviews in the last six months, so it might be quieter than expected or not as buzzing as the older feedback suggests.
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The website's got some issues and isn't loading properly, making it harder to get the lowdown before you pop in.
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The current status says 'close', which could mean it's not open right now – definitely worth double-checking to save a wasted trip.
Contact Information
Potterscrouch Ln, St Albans AL2 3NN
+441727851792
Pub
Hours not available
Opening Hours
Opening hours not available
Recent Reviews
We booked our wedding at The Holly Bush on 14th September 2024. Vanessa, the land lady, is incredibly friendly and really helped us through the process. We didn’t make it easy for her considering we had a marquee, DJ, bouncy castle, gladiator ring and soft play to set up. As well as having x2 food vans (Pizza & Crepes). There was a little hiccup were the food vans did not fit through the gate so unfortunately they had to set up in the car park, for anyone booking a food van at this venue - its something to keep in the back of your mind about! Apart from that the day ran very smoothly and we had an amazing time. Everyone commented on how amazing the venue was. It was beautiful and taking away from the decorations we had placed there it was clean, the garden was tended to and it was perfect for the day. Thank you to Vanessa & her team for looking after us on our special day!
Fabulous food - wow massive roast dinners. Tasted lovely. Lots of gravy. Fab desserts.
A lovely pub run by a lovely owner - Vanessa and team pulled out all the stops for our wedding. They went above and beyond to ensure we had the best day. Nothing was too much trouble. We will be forever grateful to this wonderful pub.
We recently had our wedding in the garden of The Holly Bush and we would 100% recommend it to anyone looking to host an event! The team were amazing and everything went so smoothly. The pub garden is so beautiful and amazing, and with the recommended partner Country Tipis - it was the most beautiful set up for a wedding.
17th Century traditional pub selling the Fullers ale range. Beautiful maintained building with wisteria in full bloom at Easter time.
No TVs, games machines or other modern distractions - instead dark wood panelling and furniture with a well-maintained beer garden.
Ales are well kept and I hear that the food is very good; albeit a little pricey.
Opening hours are traditional too, so check before expecting to spend a leisurely afternoon here.
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