Quick info
About Holly Bush Inn
Holly Bush Inn is a traditional freehouse pub in Belper, on Holly Bush Ln, with open fires inside and old photos and memorabilia on display. Real ales run on rotating handpull, alongside a limited choice of lagers and ciders, and the pub is listed in the CAMRA guide. Pork and Stilton pies sit on the bar as snacks, and fuller pub meals are served as well. The interior is small but divided into several seating areas, including a snug, nooks and booths, and a conservatory. Visitors arrive by bus, then walk uphill from the main road between Derby and Belper.
Good to know
- ReservationsAccepts reservations
- ParkingFree parking lot · Free street parking
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales, pork and stilton pies, outdoor seating area and historic interior.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention real ales, pork and stilton pies, outdoor seating area and historic interior.
Customer Review Summary
Real ales are the draw here, with reviewers repeatedly praising a well kept, rotating selection of handpull beers alongside some craft keg. Close behind are the homemade bar snacks, especially the pork and Stilton pies on display at the bar, with a cheese platter and lamb kebab loaded fries also singled out. Reviewers describe a historic, characterful building with nooks, snugs, a conservatory and a large outdoor seating area where cyclists, ramblers and dog walkers are accommodated. Staff are called welcoming and polite. The recurring complaints are about practicalities: parking is roadside only, can get tight even on a weekday, and one reviewer notes there is no car park. A few also point out that lager choices are limited to just two, and that commercial beers are absent. One reviewer suggests pairing a visit with a mini pub crawl to two nearby pubs, and another describes the walk up the hill from the bus as well worth it.
Customer Review Summary
Real ales are the draw here, with reviewers repeatedly praising a well kept, rotating selection of handpull beers alongside some craft keg. Close behind are the homemade bar snacks, especially the pork and Stilton pies on display at the bar, with a cheese platter and lamb kebab loaded fries also singled out. Reviewers describe a historic, characterful building with nooks, snugs, a conservatory and a large outdoor seating area where cyclists, ramblers and dog walkers are accommodated. Staff are called welcoming and polite. The recurring complaints are about practicalities: parking is roadside only, can get tight even on a weekday, and one reviewer notes there is no car park. A few also point out that lager choices are limited to just two, and that commercial beers are absent. One reviewer suggests pairing a visit with a mini pub crawl to two nearby pubs, and another describes the walk up the hill from the bus as well worth it.
Featured reviews
- Portlandstone
“a classic British country pub - well kept selection of ales, pork and stilton pie bar snack or full meals and 5 different seating areas including snug and garden”
- Mark Lewis
“Superb olde worlde pub. Good walk up a hill to get there off the 6.3 bus on the main road from Derby but well worth it! Great selection of real ale beer. Polite, efficient staff. Highly recommended.”
- Diane Reed
“A fabulous old traditional freehouse with lots of very well kept handpull ale and a good selection of craft keg. We didn't eat, but plan to come back. They only serve food at lunch but substantial bar food is avaliable. Good indoor and outdoor space, but no car park.”
- Charlotte Ferguson
“My dad and I went here for a meal out today. Gorgeous building, lovely staff and amazing food. Highly recommend the Kebab (lamb) loaded fries!”
- stevie bowen
“An amazing, genuinely Five star ✨✨✨✨✨ boozer nestled away in Derbyshire. Terrific selection of real ales on a steady rotation with a few lagers and ciders for those not keen. Food menu is great with simple well cooked meals along with a grand selection of old school bar snacks. One to savor and I'll be back”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Highlights
“Ancient pub offering local, traditional food and an extensive range of real ales, plus open fires.”
- Popular for solo dining
Amenities
- Free parking lot
- Accepts reservations
- Dine-in
- Cozy
- Solo dining
- Romantic
Show more amenities
- Crowd· 2
- Groups
- Tourists
- Atmosphere· 1
- Casual
- Parking· 1
- Free street parking
Location
Bars near Holly Bush Inn
- The Elephant and Peacock4.73480.3 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
railway lamb, garlic naan, breakfast
- The Spotted Cow4.56440.8 miReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
sunday roast beef dinner, lamb pie, chicken burrito
- Bridge Inn4.42,3230.8 mi£20–30ReservationsWheelchair accessibleOutdoor seating
40% off mains voucher, sea bass, fish and chips
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Holly Bush InnReservations | 4.71,534 | — | £10–20 | real ales, pork and stilton pies, outdoor seating area |
| The Elephant and PeacockReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.7348 | 0.3 mi | £20–30 | railway lamb, garlic naan, breakfast |
| The Spotted CowReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.5644 | 0.8 mi | — | sunday roast beef dinner, lamb pie, chicken burrito |
| Bridge InnReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Outdoor seating | 4.42,323 | 0.8 mi | £20–30 | 40% off mains voucher, sea bass, fish and chips |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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