Rye House, Rye House, Hoddesdon

Official site of Rye House - www.johnbarras.com

Official site of Rye House - www.johnbarras.com

Strange looking building, with two-storey bay windows either side of the front door. Initially appears to have quite a large 'L'-shaped bar, but once you have deducted the area set aside for diners there isn't actually that much seating for those just having a drink. However, the place must come to its own in the summer months with the beer garden beside the navigation and childrens play area at the back. The customer base is very mixed, ranging from businessmen with laptops to family groups plus (to be frank) some pretty scruffy-looking types. Three real ales on - Greene King IPA, Pride and Abbot (curiously priced at £3.17).

A large food and family orientated pub well described by Mr Fastard below. In fact probably the only salient point missed is the proximity of the pub to the River Lee Navigation canal which makes it a good stop if you are cycling the tow path, as it is roughly half way between the Jolly Fisherman at St Margarets up stream and The Fish and Eels at Dobbs Wier downstream. Does tend to get busy at weekends, especially in the summer months and you do need to be ‘little people ‘ tolerant. The GK ales are usually OK , but nothing spectacular.