The Holly Bush — Restaurant in Waverley

I am updating my review from a year ago. I had a terrible experience last year in this pub, but I thought I would go back and give it another go.This is a truly lovely pub with lovely food and a great large beer garden. Almost all the staff are lovely and very friendly BUT this pub still employ this very grumpy, over privileged young lad who lets the whole place down ..lazy, grumpy, rude! We ordered brekky and they gave me my baked eggs covered with cheese ( cheese ingredient was not on menu so was not expected) I explained I can't eat cheese. This lad offered no apology! Told me it would be at least 20mins but the place was almost empty?? Very few people. (1030 am) After 25mins when my husband and friend had finished their brekky I was still waiting! My friend went in to enquire and she was told to wait 10mins by this very rude lad and then she was told he had forgotten to reorder..big smirk on his face!. We cancelled my order and we just paid for the food we had . I am not sure why a pub would employ such a rude person especially as all other staff are so lovely. I can only think there is a family connection and they have to employ him!

May 2023 review: Lovely pub, great garden but it's always about the staff and service! Lovely walk today with a friend..stopped at the Hollybush for a nice drink. staff seemed distracted (told me they were all drinking wine (which I thought was unusual as bar staff don't usually drink, do they?) But it was was very quiet ( 5.30pm/Closes at 6pm) . Bought some drinks and asked for some salt and vinegar nuts . The nuts were very sweet which was odd so I asked for some alternative non sweet nuts, nothing available and told by the very rude young man that they were fine?. I asked him to taste them..he told me he had a nut allergy but assured me they were fine! I asked for my money back. He argued with me , was very rude, insisted on showing me the bag with the description, and I asked him why he was being so grumpy (clearly he had a bad day) .. and he told me he was resonating the same energy?? What does that even mean? Shame. Nice pub and often go there for a drink but when you source most of your bar staff with very young people with no direction/no training or indeed any manners, I guess they go rogue and forget all about...

Please see below my review from three years ago. I am updating this to reflect my experience as of May 2021.

The atmosphere remains as lovely and cosy as usual and the staff were extremely friendly and helpful to our entire party. The Covid19 precautions are also well thought out and tastefully done, with a couple of large covered areas in the garden. Several of the outdoor seating areas also have electric heaters next to them, which is a welcome and thoughtful touch. However our party was slightly disappointed by the limited menu on offer, we came in the evening so a third of the menu was off limits as it is only served up until 6pm. Most of our party ended up ordering burgers (chicken, veggy or beef) due to limited choice. The food was all very delicious and clearly prepared with quality ingredients , although the portions did feel a little bit small for the price you pay. I am hoping the limited menu is just a reflection of the Covid19 restrictions at the time (no eating inside). The beer was top notch as always. I look forward to popping in again after a dog walk around Frensham.

2018 - Very good food and an interesting menu. You get to choose a meat and the the base meal - normally a salad to go with it. The other choices on the menu are a choice of burgers and veggie burgers or smaller dishes. This is a very interesting menu, I suspect implemented due to a small kitchen or ease of service. It is very simply yet effective. Very cosy atmosphere inside with lots of seating outside too. There is a wide range of local ales (as well as more well known ones) and a large choice of lager. Very friendly and attentive staff that will do all within their power to make your experience the...

The Holly Bush, Frensham – A Mixed Experience

We recently visited The Holly Bush in Frensham based on a recommendation. The pub makes a great first impression with its charming exterior, and the staff were welcoming and friendly throughout our visit.

The venue features two distinct bar areas: one is cosy and inviting, complete with an open fire, while the other, located in the barn section, feels a little less atmospheric but still pleasant. Unfortunately, we were disappointed to learn upon arrival that the cosy side required prior booking, a detail that wasn’t mentioned when we initially made our reservation.

The food was enjoyable, though the experience was let down slightly by a few minor inconveniences: there was no Guinness available, and the coffee machines were turned off early, meaning we couldn’t end our meal with a coffee.

Overall, the atmosphere was relaxed, and while the visit had its flaws, it left us open to giving The Holly Bush another chance in the future. It’s a nice spot, but a few tweaks could really elevate...