Not already a member?
Join our community and
- Rate & review pubs
- Upload pictures
- Add events
JOIN for free NOW
Chat about:
New pub visits 2025 with ETA
on the Pub Forum

Image posted by john mcgraw
Submitted on Saturday, 4th February 2017
With picture contributions to 21065 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (3 more images)
Detail Pages
Rye House, Rye House, Hoddesdon
Hoddesdon
EN11 0EH
Reviews of Rye House (Average Rating: 5½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about Rye House
From the outside this appears to be a historic building but infact it dates back less than 40 years and replaced a previous building that collapsed.The styling is however in keeping with its location close to the Elizabethan gate house known as The Rye House.The GK tie means that Abbott and GK IPA are always available on handpump but the main draw is the food which is value orientated from the standard GK menu.Busy at weekends ,there is a notice telling customers if there is a delay in the food service giving an ETA.Sensible move.I also applaud the strict policy on children ,who are only allowed in to eat and must remain seated with their parent(s)at all time , otherwise childen and parent(s) must relocate to the garden.Last meal times for family groups 7.30pm and out by 9pm.This effectively stops the creche scenario so common in other value dining pubs.The building is next door to the speedway stadium and kart track where Lewis Hamilton first got behind a steering wheel.There is also a large caravan park nearby but although there are some earthy punters in here ,the atmosphere is always positive.The pub and kitchen management run a reasonably tight ship here.The interior is wood pannelled with three dining areas ,while drinking carries on around the bar.Plenty of room outside on sunny days either at the front or in the rear garden.Views over The River Lee.
UPDATE April 2011.
Four handpumps now operating serving Abbott,Marston's EPA,Black Sheep and Adnams Southwold Bitter on a recent visit.Musak now played uncomfortably loud ,so one (ale) plus point cancelled out by a negative.
On 18th April 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2936 recommendations about 2936 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about Rye House
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).
On 6th January 2011
- rating: 6
[User has posted 8679 recommendations about 8678 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about Rye House
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.
On 21st April 2010
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2236 recommendations about 2098 pubs]
View more reviews of Rye House (4)
Cycling the Lee Navigation from Waltham Abbey to Ware. by Steve of N21
Pubs Galore is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
- Official site of Rye House - www.johnbarras.com
- Facebook - The Rye House Pub
- CAMRA WhatPub :: Rye House - whatpub.com
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- CAMRA Discount : Yes - 10% - last updated 30 July 2016 by ROB Camra
- Karaoke : Yes last updated 27 December 2014 by Dave McNally
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 23 June 2014 by Dave McNally