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Beer of the Week (w/e 14th September 2025) with Thuck Phat
on the Pub Forum
Image posted by paulof horsham
Submitted on Tuesday, 11th July 2023
With picture contributions to 6258 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (6 more images)
Detail Pages
The Holly Tree, E7
E7
E7 0DZ
Served areas
Reviews of The Holly Tree (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Pub SignMan left this review about The Holly Tree
A striking pub on the edge of Wanstead Heath, this large Shepherd Neame house sits in an enviable position next to the common, within easy reach of local stations. The building’s grandeur is matched inside, where a handsome dark-wood servery greets you straight ahead, complete with a panelled counter, ornate bar back and fairy light decorations. To the left, a two-part space comprises a front bar area with pew seating, plain chairs and bare floorboards, plus a TV showing live rugby with the sound on. Behind this lies a richly decorated red-walled room with parquet flooring, a tiled fireplace, plush armchairs and benches. To the right, a long, narrow room opens into a huge conservatory-style space that felt more like a dining room, though whether food service was available remained unclear. The whole interior is lifted by attractive leaded Charrington windows and decorated with old photographs and bird-themed artwork.
The pub offered three real ales—Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Whitstable Bay plus Mad Squirrel London Porter - as well as a real cider. My pint of Porter was in good condition. Despite being a branded Shepherd Neame pub, the interior felt independently styled and the atmosphere was busy but comfortable, aided by the well-spaced seating and a slightly upmarket edge. The service was polite and welcoming, with the barman taking a bit of time out to engage in some small talk after serving me.
I thought this was a nicely presented pub with plenty to recommend it, despite the obvious downside of the Sheps beer. It seems like the sort of place that will appeal to a wide range of punters, with the multiple seating areas offering different ways to experience the place. The presence of a good guest ale smoothed over the beer issue and overall I came away feeling this would be a good pub to have in your local area.
Date of visit: 8th February 2025
On 2nd September 2025
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3387 recommendations about 3387 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Moby Duck left this review about The Holly Tree
A large pub quite plush and smart looking inside as described below, it veers toward the foodie end of the spectrum. There is an Adults only area which was a godsend as several of the little people were running around unchecked by staff or parents.The five hand pumps were offering up Vocation Devils Leap, Shepherd Neame Spitfire and Whitstable Bay along with Five Points Green Hop Cascade which was rather nice. Despite the decent beer on offer the pub didn't really do it for me as I'd like to feel comfortable in any part of the pub rather than having to seek refuge in an adults only corner, the perils of weekend daytime drinking maybe.
On 3rd March 2024
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2215 recommendations about 2181 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Blue Scrumpy left this review about The Holly Tree
Forest Gate is not the most inspiring place to go for a drink. In fact, the first time I'd ever set foot in the area was to visit the Hudson Bay (Wetherspoon's) earlier this year. However, the Holly Tree has now replaced it in the Good Beer Guide. So, I decided to make a return visit to the area with a view to try 3 pubs/bars.
It was touch and go as to whether we would find the Wanstead Tap open, as it's published closing time on a Sunday is 4pm. Friends arrived there at 3:30pm to find it closed. Perhaps it no longer opens on a Sunday? Nevertheless, the Holly Tree became our first stop and very soon exceeded all of our expectations.
One of the pub's USPs is the miniature railway that works its way around the garden, an undoubted attraction for kids and their families. Indeed, there was a constant stream of families coming in for their Sunday lunches, of which the pub was doing a brisk trade.
We arrived at 4pm to find the railway just shutting for the day, with our former British Rail drinking colleague proclaiming that the driver looked like a throwback to the glory days of the railways. However, we did take a quick peak in the garden to view the railway, which winds its way around the various outdoor seating options. Despite being in a residential area of Forest Game, I imagine this would be a lovely place to sit in the summer.
We soon took up residence near the bar. Most families appeared to be in a conservatory area which overlooks the garden and from where the lunches were appearing from an open kitchen. Where we sat, the space narrows alongside the bar, before opening out again at the far end of the pub to create plenty of seating.
I wouldn't normally recommend a pub that is popular with families, but this pub tries and succeeds in satisfying all kinds of customers. Friends had sounded a bit concerned when I quoted Whatpub stating that the pub has 2 Shepherd Neame pubs and a couple of guests, but our fears were soon allayed.
Our aforementioned railway colleague enjoyed his Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay Pale Ale. I enjoyed their Late Red which was also on. Guest beers were Verdant Penpol & Black Iris Stab In The Dark. They also had a real cider that I'd never seen previously - Oliver's Wild Farmhouse Cider Summer Blend.
Craft beer fans are catered for too. The selection was Five Points Kipa, Beavertown Neck Oil, Soundwave Siren, Sureshot I Cannae Change The Laws of Physics, Play Brew Ruby Roo, Drop Project Glassy, Pretty Decent Dumm Sauer, Pomona Island Phaedra & Pressure Drop Petanque.
With a lively atmosphere and an excellent beer selection, I really enjoyed my visit here. With a couple of friends living fairly close to here and it being just a couple of stops away from the London Stadium on the Elizabeth Line, we may well return for another visit.
On 13th November 2023
- rating: 8
[User has posted 3232 recommendations about 3230 pubs]
View more reviews of The Holly Tree (6)
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- Official site of The Holly Tree - www.thehollytreepub.co.uk
- Facebook page of The Holly Tree - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Holly Tree - whatpub.com
Forest Gate, 0.53 miles, 10 min walk (show)
Leytonstone High Road, 0.91 miles, 17 min walk (show)
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.
- Accommodation : No last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- Beer Garden : Yes last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- Car Park : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Child Friendly : Yes - Right-hand half only. - last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Darts : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Function Room : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Jukebox : Yes last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Karaoke : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Live Music : Yes - Jazz, last Thursday of the month. - last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Live TV Sports : No last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- Micropub : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Pinball : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Pool Table : No last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Quiz Night : Yes - Tuesdays 19.30. - last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 09 December 2019 by ROB Camra
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- Wheelchair Access : Yes - Disabled WC. - last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes last updated 07 April 2023 by Tris C
