Holly Bush, London

20/04/23 - The left hand bar tables were all laid up with white table clothes and for meals. It seems it is now essentailly a dining area. The menu has also been moved up a notch or two, with the cheapest main around £16.00, and wines from around £26/£27.

A marvellous multi-roomed pub at the top of some steep steps leading from Heath St., there is a less steep incline if you approach from the tube via Holly Mount. A sensitive refurbishment some years ago opened up the rooms at the back and there is an upstairs dining room. However, for many, the jewels of this pub are the rooms containing the main bar and that off to the left as you enter, with its traditional open fire.

There is a particularly excellent sign from former owners, the Benskins brewery. Full of atmosphere and character, we can only be thankful the rooms were not swept away by several tasteless schemes mooted in the past. On seeing them you will appreciate the Grade II listing and its place on CAMRA's London Regional Inventory of historic pub interiors.

The pub was acquired by London brewers Fuller's in early 2010 but, so far, the only change has been to the beer range. Food served in the bar rooms, the back room is laid out for diners only; the upstairs dining room only opens Fri to Sun. But there is also a seating area beyond the bar in another small room. Small seating area at front mostly for the benefit of smokers, no drinks outside after 20.00. Listed as an ACV Nov 2015 following an application by the Hampstead Neighbourhood Forum.

Offers a 20% discount on cask for card-carrying CAMRA members.