Holly Bush, Headleyback to pub details please note - reviews on this site are purely the opinion of site visitors, so don't take them too seriously.
Village pub on a prominent bend in the road. A handful of locals were in, along with the barmaid. A live Premier League football match was on the TV. There were no diners. Doom Bar is the regular ale. The guest was Hobgoblin, which I partook in. A slightly short measure was served. Fairly middle of the road pub.
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I recently had a lovely friendly well cooked Sunday lunch at this pub. The staff were helpful and polite and the food was good.
I would definitely visit it again when I am in the area next.
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Sadly since Mark and Sheila left (about a year ago?) the pub has gone from a great local asset to an embarrassment. No more well kept ales and well made food.
Last went in to see a mid-week football game only to be told "Sky ain't working" so now no reason to go there ever again. Real shame
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I looked in at the end of last week. There was just one customer in at late lunchtime. A grumpy-looking blonde woman behind the bar looked up for a moment from her mobile, then returned to her texting. All but one of the pump clips were turned round, so when the barman turned up I asked for a pint of T.E.A. The blonde woman said "Ain't ready yet". The barman said "It ain't ready yet". I said nothing and left. If the beer situation indicates a change of tenant, the new staff were certainly doing their best to suppress the trade.
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Not a bad pub. A bit characterless. Some reasonable ales on offer, and tasty. Almost empty when we were there, which was surprising for the time. Maybe next time we'll try the food.
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Mark and Sheila have turned the Holly Bush into a warm and welcoming Pub, that serves a great pint and great homecooked food. Long gone are the days of the "Sticky" carpet, now it is clean, comfortable and safe!.....
The landlords started their beer festival in the Autumn, which was a great succsess and showed that they are here to stay, when the weather permits, the beer garden at the rear is well kept and a joy to use.
No fruit machines, no jukebox, no pool table, its the quintessential country pub so well worth a visit.........................................
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I thought I'd give it a try, being only a mile or so distant, so Madam and I looked in at lunchtime. There were a few people in the garden, no-one inside except us. There were Pride, Abbot and Flower's IPA on tap. Abbot and the IPA both very good, and no problems on measure. The eating area is smart and well furnished. Madam had a jacket potato with cheese, and I had the Butcher's Burger. The potato didn't score well: it was 'mashy' - perhaps reheated once too often. The burger was good: thick, meaty and cooked just right. The extra price Stilton topping wasn't worth it. The chips were very good, as was the green salad. It certainly rated another visit
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Strange that it has a reputation for trouble as the police have been called once in 4.5 years under current owners and the Ambulance never,i've never heard that it has a reputation myself, for a country pub it can be very lively and is a true Chameleon pub, older diners during the day, work men early evening esp Friday, Pool, Darts, Quizes and Football followers n players in most evenings, the Sunday roast is regarded as the best and freshest in the area as its all fresh produce, nothing frozen or pre cooked, the Hants CC rating was unsatisfactory purely because of paperwork completion, not because of food handling or prep issues, check the site again and you will find changed status, The All saints Church lunch is at the pub every thitd Sunday of the month with many elder delicate diners, yet no problem have ever arisen and the lunch has grown to capacity in the last 4 years. This pub truly caters for everyone, some people however regard themselves as more important than others and they tend to cause mischief and spread rumours, but then its a small village and people have little to do? Over the past 4.5 years the pub has been completely redecorated inside and �30k spent in the garden. Take a look yourself, try to avaoid third sunday of each month if dining?
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To be honest i do not hate this pub at all although it does have a bit of a reputation for trouble...really ? Seems fine to me.
I don't think i would eat here though as Hampshire county council's safe2eat web site states the hygene here is "unsatisfactory"
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