The Holly Bush in St Albans

We had high hopes for this tucked away village pub but none of us could really garner enthusiasm during the course of our meal. I am sure this little pub has great potential, however. It was not busy at all...1/4 full but the food service was slow. We got the impression that meals were being cooked per one person per one table at a time, and below the standard we would expect for a simple pub meal. Salt snd pepper squid was over cooked intead of being lightly golden. Fish pie was dry and the leafy greens served were not cooked and inedible. Atmosphere lacking any warmth. We also agree from previous comments, that this pub is overpriced. Overall disappointed and we won't return.

Excellent beef,plates need to be hotter. Staff need to cheer up a bit and be more welcoming, but would revisit.

Over 50 pubs close a month because of a lack of customers/punters. You rarely get traditional pubs with a pool table good music and good vibes but the hollybush backs the trend. The land lady Alice and her partner Pete are truly incredible. Traditions of a pub originate to community, socialising and gathering. Guys keep up the good work

Looked at going here a number of times, but always closed when we want to go. Having eventually gone there, a real hidden gem. Location 10/10, food 5/10, service 1/10. My guess it's a family run business who have no passion and generally don't want to be there. My advice, sell it to someone who really wants to run a pub properly, and be open all day everyday like all other pubs.

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!

We always enjoy our Sunday lunch. Tasty and good value. The staff and owners are really friendly

Calming but welcoming country pub with good beer,a really nice beer garden and good menu if your hungry, though some items were not available on the day we visited which was a bit disappointing.

Good foord, plenty of atmosphere and very friendly and welcoming owner. Out in the sticks but worth the visit. Go on a busy night for atmosphere.

The lady at the bar was unfriendly and rude. The order came out wrong with requested items not removed. Very overpriced for the quality of food we got.

Amazingly unfriendly, very expensive for a basic menu and sandwiches the cost of a meal elsewhere; a potentially nice garden but with seats so low and uncomfortable they seem designed to cripple adult users. Waste of a great building and location.

Nice pub and beer garden. Food really expensive .

We picked a quiet day and had a tasty lunch.

Very cute pub off the beaten track. Pet chickens that run around the beer garden . Great spot for kids. Standard pub grub that hits the spot.

Lovely little pub. Fantastic food!

Nice hide away pub. Very traditional setting with a great outdoor area. Dog friendly too. The service was spot on with good food. Overall a afternoon well spent.

Fantastic pub, lovely and cosy. Very friendly staff. One of the best pubs for miles and miles

Beautiful countryside pub. Friendly staff. Spacious gardens and a lovely setting for a pint or two on a warm summers day. Would always return and recommend

Pub was cold Food not hot No service at the table, had to order food at bar No Wine list produced when ordering . We were just asked what type of wine we wanted When the bill came, shocked that 2 bottles of wine cost £65. This is restaurant prices not pub prices Will not be returning Overall very disappointed

Fabulous food - wow massive roast dinners. Tasted lovely. Lots of gravy. Fab desserts.

Beautiful traditional pub in semi rural location. Food is prepared and cooked on the premises with pies being the speciality. Worth a visit

Absolutely fantastic food, service and atmosphere.

Simply the best. Our favourite pub, bar none! Beautiful year-round and full of atmosphere. One not to miss!

Amazing service! Very happy Definitely will go there again

Fairly quiet for a mid week lunch, but not unusual. Great choice of beer, food was very good. Fresh, tasty and good value. Worth finding as off the main roads. But is a must visit and will return. Highly Recommend.

Lovely pub and fantastic staff, we arrived with our campervan just as they closed due to delays at Luton airport and they were very accommodating, letting us stay overnight at their car park. We got our dinner to take away as well as a beer! Fantastic breakfast in the morning to top it off. Will definitely return!

Decent roast in a beautiful old pub

Food was ok,a pleasant welcome that’s it didn’t ask how are food is or was so we paid and left didn’t feel welcome to stay for one more drink or dessert didn’t even ask if we wanted anything else

A lovely country pub, with a nice garden area. The bar staff were attentive. The land lady is a little strange.

Nicely presented country pub, tucked away down single track lanes.

Friendly staff, location is down a lane, only a few miles from St Albans city. Good food. If you want a nice country friendly pub, highly recommend 👌

Came here with my partner and it's such a lovely traditional pup which is rare to see in today's times staff were friendly and service was incredible pup is run by a small team of dedicated staff that clearly take pride in there work chatting with customers food is incredible genuine home cooked food I had the lasagna which was one of the best I've had in years will dine here again so if your in the area or like me out on short break it's definitely worth the trip A little small but cozy and friendly and they are dog friendly even giving the option to add a sausage to your main meal just for the dog. So to sum up Great food Great staff Lovely little dog friendly pub

Lovely village pub some great real ale. Very friendly staff will call again.

Nice little pub and food with a friendly landlady. We like to pop in there for lunch now and then as off the beaten track and nice and relaxing.

Fantastic country pub with a relaxed attitude great food and lovely gardens. Staff very nice and friendly, always a warm welcome here. Has a lovely beer garden as well.

Good underwhelming, good service speed and pleasant, but they needed reminding about what to bring. Nice location, not particularly expensive

Nice, quiet location, friendly staff and amusing chickens strutting around the beer garden!

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.

Although we'd booked a table by email, they didn't bother to tell us they were shut for a private function

Lovely lunch and enjoyed the garden

My wife and I were travelling around on a wet Sunday at midday looking to have a Sunday lunch and a drink when we happened upon the Holly Bush . We hadn't been out walking and didn't have muddy footwear nor was our very small dog muddy in any way . We entered the Holly Bush at opening time and was met with an immediately unfriendly , abrupt and more than a little sarcastic non welcome from the waitress and the Landlady . 'We don't allow four legged friends in the pub , you'll have to sit in the beer garden .' It was raining heavily by this stage . We had one drink under a small marquee tent in the beer garden and left . Their abrupt rudeness was inexcusable . The Holly Bush is just a Fuller's pub in the middle of nowhere , it's not Claridges in Mayfair !!! The manner in which they spoke to us was off putting , we'll never go there again and I wouldn't recommend the Holly Bush to anyone . We later went to The Brocket Arms in Ayot St. Lawrence , had a wonderful time and an excellent meal . That I would recommend !

Staff really lovely, drinks reasonable priced

Said it was open but not. Disappointing to come all this way

If only all British pubs were like this then we'd all be happier! This is a pub that wants you to relax and enjoy your pint or glass of wine! Home-cooked food ranging from pasty or toastie to proper pies (not meat with a pastry lid) and all served in a beautiful pub with a lovely garden. The service is always excellent and always friendly - and every time I wind my car back down the lanes I wonder why it has been three months or so since I was last at The Hollybush and tell myself I will be back more often. This is a pub that always makes you feel good about leaving the rat race behind for a couple of hours! If you have not been - go. You will not be disappointed.

Country pub with a beautiful interior and garden. Food is good with generous portions. No atmosphere.

Beer here is always good in this 17th century CAMRA Good Beer Guide Pub as is the home prepared food. Check opening hours before making a visit as times are limited.

Food really good but not the whole menu available

A really lovely warm and cosy pub! The staff were so friendly and welcoming. The food was absolutely delicious! Can’t wait to go back!

Definitely a hidden gem! Delicious food, friendly welcome, well kept ales, beautifully kept private garden, massive car park all in all a lovely pub. We will be back.

Really enjoyed my visit to the pub, good food and lovely atmosphere

amazing food, quick service and very friendly staff would highly recommend, will definitely be coming back here again soon!!

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.

Always a nice place. I wish it were open more hours.

It's been 25 years since I last visted this establishment and remarkably little has changed. Situated in the hamlet of Potters Crouch. It is a 17th-century Inn with appropriate antique furniture, welcoming staff and a traditional English menu and quaint pub garden. The beer is looked after and the menu full of tradirional choices and a great selection from the daily specials board.

My friends and I spent a wonderful evening in this glorious pub. The food was delicious and the pub has a great selection of drinks. The staff were so welcoming. Such a relaxed evening spent in a lovely garden and surroundings. It is a must visit. We will be coming back

£46.90 for lunch and I would rather eat the grass in the garden! Somebody tell this pub what bubble and squeak is as they don’t have a clue! I was served hashbrowns with a dollop of spinach on the side. Pie is microwaved and soggy. Avoid this place for food! Drinks were fine. Disappointment.

Wow what a charming family run pub. Friendly bar staff (Zoe) warm welcome and super menu. I ordered the prawn sandwich which was HUGE not to mention delicious and my friend had the home made chilli which she said was lovely too! Meal rounded off with nice cups of tea (a pot would have been even better) and delicious deserts. We left having made friends with the ‘crew’ and promised to return. The landlady is wonderful! Took a peek in the garden and wow it’s stunning- lots of cool shaded comfy places to sit. Highly recommend / thanks guys !

An average review sounds fine BUT this pub has been outstanding for many years. Great beer, lovely simple food, and a very cosy intimate environment. Ray ran such a fantastic pub and he was always a pleasure to visit adding great customer service. Went for a meal tonight and had to reject a very poorly poured beer and was then advised the ‘cold tea’ was how ESB was supposed to look! I simply ordered another beer. The food was ordered and arrived and while my wife thoroughly enjoyed her ‘Waitrose’ sourced pie as a special, my lamb kofta with flatbread was a very poor meal. Flatbread that was crispy therefore unable to eat with the tiny koftas and the Mediterranean salad was just pitiful - no effort lazy cooking. What was most disappointing was the response when I said I was disappointed with my meal - no apology, no adjustment to the bill. Hmmmm …. after 33 years I may consider other options for my favourite beer.

Old fashioned feel, home cooking done right. Pretty garden.

A fabulous traditional country pub in St Albans. With low beams and real fires this really is a lovely cosy pub. The garden is very pretty and the food is home cooked with lots to offer. Excellent service. We will be back soon!

The Holly Bush was beautiful. A traditional country pub with an amazing garden. Lovely home cooked food and great service. We will be back soon!!

Traditional English pub! Well run, beautifully kept, lovely staff, delicious food and spotlessly clean. Quality from start to finish! Well worth a visit.

Good classic pub food, good location. Definitely will return.

Great country pub. Lively with a lovely garden. Great food and very friendly staff. Will definitely try to visit again.

Just had a meal....took mum aswell. Lovely Roast dinner......and the best chocolate brownie I've tasted ......all three of us had a great time ...such nice friendly staff .....Will definitely come back

It was a lovely sunny day so could sit outside. Plenty of tables and benches.

A historic place, in the middle of nowhere. Staff very accommodating.

Had a pleasant meal, coal fire very cosy, staff friendly.

Lovely country pub. Food was absolutely delicious, we will definitely be back.

While the Holly Bush is expensive, it also offers a fantastic, welcoming and cosy environment. The food is very good, as is the beer and the staff extremely friendly. Also, great desserts!

Amazing location, food was absolutely fantastic and the setting and ambiance is brilliant. Lovely pub with great staff well worth supporting however you can.

Three of us friends planned to meet today at this pub. We checked the website and ascertained that it did not serve food on Mondays. However when we arrived a sign on the door says that its closed until 10th but no mention on the website. Also the large hanging sign is no longer there so that implies that they not be reopening soon.

We visited for my brother's birthday lunch on a Thursday. It was great to visit an independent country pub again, friendly staff and great food.

Attended a Wedding Reception. Excellent !!! All Staff were Very Helpful attending to all requirements. Many thanks!!! Would Recommend for any sort of occasion.

Our friends had their wedding here and the venue was so lovely. The staff were all super friendly and helpful.

Very quiet pub with a great choice of real ales. Food looked good bit didn't eat here

Lovely pub, good food and drink selection. Staff were great.

Good service. Good beer. Good food.

Went for lunch with a dear friend during the week and this place was chosen as at the half way point between hers and mine. The setting is beautiful and quirky and the outside garden has got some beautiful furniture and amazing views of the countryside. The lunch menu that we were offered was pretty small but it was ok for us!

Need to have better and marked vegetarian options on their menu.

Closed Monday & Tuesday lunchtime.

Lovely country pub, very good service, was surprisingly not as busy. Food tastwd great, and excellent Pimms in a jug. Have been a few times and have never had bad food or service.

Myself and my partner visited the holly bush this evening for the 1st time, we found the pub and gardens excellent and the food was really nice but the star of the show was zoe who we found to be a great host extremely attentive...

Really nice pub in middle of nowhere, especially nice sat outside on a summers day. Bar staff are friendly and table service under covid rules works well.

Amazing service and beautiful beer garden

Visited here as it was "out the way" and would mean considerably less people, which it was. For Sunday lunch there were only an additional 4-8 people in the pub at any one time, all sat at different ends to good social distancing. We ordered...

Lovely dinner, great staff, a little gem in the countryside

Good food and a nice place off the beaten track

Nice and clean good beer friendly staff

Absolutely lovely pub, with a beautiful garden

I can't help thinking that some of the nasty reviews on this beautiful pub are submitted by rival publicans! We have been using the Holly Bush for years and have never encountered the type of negative food and service that they are complaining about. We...

Good food, pleasant staff and following the covid-19 rules, which made me feel safe

Had a lovely lunch at the Holly Bush today. The garden was stunning and the food was fantastic. Both me and my friend Issaad loved our lunchtime visit. Friendly staff. Excellent COVID safety procedures. Can definitely recommend the Smoked Mackerel fillets with a great pint...

Excellent lovely Pub good food .

Well what to say!! We have been regular visitors to the pub we love it so much! But on this occasion especially it was a premium day! First off the garden was spectacular and sunny, tables and ashtrays polished. As usual it was still bar...

AVOID AT ALL COSTS, THEY DON'T WANT CUSTOMERS, SEE THEM AS A NUISANCE AND WANT YOU OUT BY 9PM!! Absolutely appalling service and customer care. Table booked for 7.45pm, we knew they stopped serving food at 9pm, but had no idea they wanted us OUT...

Me and friends came for lunch and drinks, we weren’t sure what to expect due to some of the reviews, but I can assure you that they’re all a load of rubbish! Food was delicious and served promptly, service was warm and friendly! My friend...

Friendly pub but quite expensive

Nice pub,friendly welcome. Enjoyed the food and beer.

Delightful 'country' pub set back out of the way but close to both Hemel and St Albans. Big beer Garden and good food, well prepared and presented. Limited choice of draught beers but all good.

A quintessential English pub. I have visited this pub for 40 years and it is my favourite pub near St Albans. It is traditional, with a range of well kept drinks, a good well prepared menu, spotless tables, and welcoming friendly and efficient staff. This pub is well worth finding and enjoying as a wonderful traditional experience