The Holly Bush, Potters Crouch, St. Albans

A Fuller's charge well in the sticks, accessed via single-track roads, my first visit here was ill-timed as the place was closed for a private function. A second, Sunday lunchtime visit saw normal service resumed, although well on the quiet side punter-wise. Very woody inside with wood flooring, a wooden bar and bar back, wooden half-height panelling and wooden tables and chairs, this has a rectangular area which you enter into via the front entrance, carpeted and with an attractive brick fireplace at its left-hand wall. The bar is located to the left via a thin, single-stepped area with some seating opposite (and access to a smallish beer garden), and another rectangular, carpeted area at the top and end of this, beyond the bar. The bar is separated by a semi-wall, leaving two bar counters, which doubled the ale options up (London Pride x2, ESB and Seafarers - a pint of the latter came in at £4.30, but was in decent shape - a Master Cellarman certificate was spotted on one of the walls). A little quiet on this visit and a slight air of plumminess - a large gravelled car park to the left of the building with a couple of decent marques in it and I did feel a little underdressed in t-shirt, shorts, trainers and baseball cap. If you're not a Fuller's fan, then no need to seek this one out.

Official site of The Holly Bush - www.hollybushstalbans.co.uk

Official site of The Holly Bush - www.hollybushstalbans.co.uk