About This Pub
Ah, The Railway Arms – what a lovely little find if you're into your sports and a good pint. I've heard from loads of people that it's just the ticket for watching the big games, with Sky and BT Sports blaring on several screens, and the atmosphere gets properly buzzing when the teams are playing. Elaine, the landlady, sounds like an absolute star; she's always going the extra mile to make everyone feel welcome, whether it's keeping an eye on lost items or just having a chat. The real ales are spot on, and that beer garden is a nice touch for sunnier days. It's no wonder it's featured in the Good Pub Guide – it's got that authentic pub feel with a mix of folks from all walks. But, to be fair, it's not all roses; there was this one story about some bar staff being a bit off-hand, especially if you're not there for a drink, which is a shame because it could sour the experience. Still, with such high ratings overall, I'd say it's worth a visit – just go in with an open mind and you'll likely have a cracking time.
Pros and Cons
Pros
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It's a brilliant spot for watching sports, with Sky and BT Sports on multiple screens, making it perfect for catching the match with mates.
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The landlady, Elaine, is incredibly friendly and welcoming, always making you feel right at home – she's a real gem based on what folks have said.
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They've got a cracking selection of real ales and craft beers, plus a cosy beer garden for when the weather's on your side.
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The atmosphere is lively, especially on match days, with a mix of locals and fans from all over, creating that proper pub buzz.
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Handy location right opposite Bushey Station, so it's easy to pop in for a quick pint before hopping on a train to London.
Cons
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There have been a few reports of rude bar staff on occasion, which can really put a dampener on an otherwise great visit.
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If you're not up for a drink, it might not be the most welcoming place, as one person mentioned feeling out of sorts there.
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Opening hours can seem a bit inconsistent from what's listed, so it's worth double-checking before you head over.
Contact Information
1 Aldenham Rd, Watford WD19 4AB
Pub
Opens at 12:00
Opening Hours
Monday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
Tuesday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
Wednesday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
Thursday | 12:00 - 00:00 |
Friday (Today) | 12:00 - 01:00 |
Saturday | 12:00 - 01:00 |
Sunday | 12:00 - 22:30 |
Recent Reviews
Prefect post padel/football pub, great customer service and a quality landlady with plenty of outdoor space. This pub has become a weekly ritual for our group... One to look forward to!
Great pub - warm, friendly and welcoming. Elaine is a brilliant landlady who truly cares about her customers 👌
Pretty horrible experience in this pub. If you have time to kill while waiting for your next train, you’d be better off waiting in the rain at the station instead of coming here.
My friend and I were not drinking at the time and we were met by rude and patronising gestures from bar staff. Along with being confrontational and condescending, staff members made comments like “aren’t you a big boy now” as we ordered a fizzy drink. We couldn’t get out of the place fast enough.
Horrible pub and terrible staff, if anyone is reading this please avoid and spend your money elsewhere. Bushey is a lovely town, it’s just a shame that the first place you see when you leave the station is this dive of a pub.
Edit: Having read the response from the owner, I would like to clarify a few things from our visit to the railway arms.
We never sat down. We didn't go to the toilet first as we went straight to the bar first to order some fizzy drinks. We didn't interact with bar staff while unpacking our bags, as we didnt have any bags. We had time to kill before the next train to London, so we willinging paid for drinks. We were never asked to leave because we didn't set a foot wrong in this establishment. We waited by the bar with our drinks for 10ish minutes, and having thought about the way the staff spoke to us with such disrespect, we decided it was best to leave as quickly as possible.
The response from the railway arms truly sums up the nature of the people who work here; incompetent, distasteful, graceless, and quite frankly ignorant beyond belief
It been always place I would stop, have a drink, watch a match. Friendly bar staff. And it’s fun to be there. Different ages of people. Ask for Elaine🫡 you can bring your own food and have it.
Elaine is such a friendly landlady! Always feel welcome. Forgot my phone once and the team not only kept it aside for me, but even charged it for when I picked it up! Absolutely stellar every time! And really good quality beer!
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