Staffordshire Newsletter: Joe, 18, called to the bar

   24th July 2003

 "  The country’s youngest licensee is to take the helm at the oldest pub in Staffordshire."

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The Morning Advertiser: Menu of the month

   1st February 2004

   "Both the appetiser and main course lists have a range of classics suddenly punctuated with something a bit more daring. So for starters you can play safe with the breaded mushrooms with a garlic dip or the day’s homemade soup or go a bit more lush and try Staffordshire Blue stuffed pears with a raspberry and poppy seed vinaigrette or green-shelled mussels, served in the shell with blue cheese and garlic sauce. In among the steaks and scampi you’ll find braised venison with chestnuts and celery or supreme of chicken in red wine with raisins and apricots."

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The Telegraph: Adam Edwards (guide to the best of British pubs)

   29th May 2004

   "It was a busy Monday lunchtime when I ordered my pint of guest ale. It was more than just quaffable - it was a perfectly kept pint of  Jennings' dark bitter. And the food was, I have to admit, scrumptious. The steak and ale pie was chock-a-block with steak bought from the local Eccleshall butcher and the sauce was made with proper beer."

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The Sentinal: The Alan Cookman Review

   21st July 2008

   "Who needs rabbit? It was delicious, tender meat in the richest imaginable sauce, served with a jacket potato and a selection of fresh vegetables, including swede, aubergine, courgettes and mangetout.

I'd started with the tasty house pate, but also helped the Son and Heir shift his vast bowl of  Torbay mussels in a creamy cider and garlic sauce. "It's for sharing really," said the barman when I placed the order. And we did share it. Four of us."

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The Independant: The 50 Best Cheap Eats

14th February 2009

" For Elizabeth Carter, the fact that the Holly Bush claims to be one of Britain's oldest pubs hints that the food at this quaint, thatched premises comes from the more traditional end of the spectrum."

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The Sentinel: Top Nosh At Good Prices

16th February 2009

" The pub was praised by customer Elizabeth Carter for its 'old fashioned favorites' which are 'done in a warm-hearted, competent way".

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The Express & Star 

   12th April 2010

   "The food came in good time, and it was not hard to see what all the fuss was about. My three pork chops were superb, really something special. Having not a hint of toughness about them, they were glazed in an exquisite honey and whole grain mustard sauce, which perfectly struck the delicate balance between being flavoursome without being too hot. My dining partner was also full of praise for the grilled chicken breast, which had been locally barn reared, and came with herbs and spicy tomato chutney, and she was particularly impressed by the hand-cut chips." 

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