Thursday 12th September 2024
Ian Rogers
The Holly Tree is a sizeable pub opposite a corner of Wanstead Flats, which in 2019 had a tasteful refurbishment, modernising in some areas, but retaining period pieces such as a tiled fireplace. It is owned by The Remarkable Pubs group.
Upon entry the wide bar is immediately in front of you, with five hand pulls, which at the time of the most recent visit were being used for Oliver’s Fine Cider, Shepherd Neame Whitstable Bay, Shepherd Neame Spitfire, Purity Mad Goose and Wye Valley Butty Bach.
To the right are 5 keg lines and to the left are two further sets of 5 keg lines. The first 5 were offering Five Points JUPA (5.5%), Vault City Peach Ice Tea (3.4%), Attic Brew Signals IPA (5.6%), Margate Northdown Brewery Lager (4.5%), Verdant Session IPA (3.4%).
The remainder were Pretty Decent Brew Pre-Wrangled Horse (5.3%), Floc Brewing Warm Shade (4%), Queer Brewing Bold (0.5%), Lucky Saint Lager Alcohol Free (0.5%), Gravity Well Galaxies Apart (6%), Siren Soundwave IPA (5.6%). Also Orchard View Apple Cider (4.5%), Guinness (4.2%), plus two offerings from the Czech brewer Litovel – Classic (4.2%) and Premium (5%).
To the left of the bar is the Adults only area, with one larger room and the smaller area containing the fireplace.
To the right of the bar is further seating and also you can see into the Kitchen from here. Beyond this area a Conservatory extension has been added. From here you can either exit to the left to the garden area with picnic benches and also a seasonal outside bar.
Straight ahead of you from the Conservatory area are some covered wooden booth seating.
But beware if you are there on a Saturday or Sunday between 1 and 4pm as the ride-on Holly Tree Railway should be running and you will need to cross the tracks. This is also true in order to reach further picnic benches sited inside the railway loop.
Important Information:
The Holly Tree, 141 Dames Road, London E7 0DZ Tel: 0208 221 9830
Hours: Monday-Wednesday: 17.00-23.00; Thursday-Saturday: 12.00-23.00; Sunday: 12.00-21.00
Food: Monday-Wednesday: 18.00-22.00; Thursday-Friday 12.00-15.00, 18.00-22.00;
Saturday 12.00-16.00, 18.00-22.00; Sunday 12.00-19.00
TFL bus routes 58 (Walthamstow Central to East Ham) and 308 (Wanstead to Clapton Pond) pass the pub, with stops in close proximity. The nearest train station is Wanstead Park served by London Overground and is about 10 mins walk, but both bus routes can be used from here also.
