We noticed that you're using an unsupported browser. The Tripadvisor website may not display properly.We support the following browsers:
Windows: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome. Mac: Safari.

“Disappointed”
Review of Holly Blue

Holly Blue
Ranked #14 of 59 Restaurants in Hailsham
Price range: R 70 - R 278
Cuisines: British
More restaurant details
Restaurant details
Dining options: Breakfast, After-hours, Reservations
Description: Get the whole family together at The Holly Blue in Pevensey, a large child-friendly pub with a big beer garden, LED-lit patio for al fresco eating, and plenty of parking spaces. Whether you need a pub with Wi-Fi for a business lunch or somewhere with a menu that has meals for all tastes, the Holly Blue will do you proud. Bordered by farmland, The Holly Blue is the perfect place to relax over draught beers, world wines, and great British pub grub. Our carvery is served daily. The kids' menu is packed with healthy options and tasty treats. We do a whole host of main meals.
Reviewed 31 July 2024

Went for lunch this afternoon and all I can say is very disappointed!!
We arrived early about 11.50 and sat in the garden with a drink and waited for food to be available for service table 110. We were told carvery would be ready for 12pm, 12.30 and we were still waiting. When we were finally able to get the carvery the food was awful!! The turkey was dry, the roast potatoes looked and tasted like they were yesterday’s heated up, black round the edges and slimy in the middle. The Yorkshire pudding was at the edge of my plate and the grease from the bottom was actually dripping on to the table and the gravy well what can I say, I’ve never seen anything like it, it was like jelly! The butternut squash, you could see more black than orange! This was all at the very start of service so I dread to think what it would be like after another half hour of being out!!!
We will not be returning customers!

Date of visit: July 2024
Thank NIcola B
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pub Owner, Owner at Holly Blue, responded to this reviewResponded 8 August 2024

Thank you Nicola for taking your time to leave us a review.
We had some staffing issues last week and I know that’s no excuse but the kitchen was left very short and we tried the best with what we had.
Sorry once again
Olly

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviews (629)
Traveller rating
Traveller type
Time of year
Language

31 - 35 of 629 reviews

Reviewed 27 July 2024

Great staff, fantastic looking food (yet to try), good value and lots of seating/parking. This is our new regular 😊

Date of visit: July 2024
Review collected in partnership with this restaurant
Thank LeakyLea
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pub Service Desk, Owner at Holly Blue, responded to this reviewResponded 31 July 2024

Thank you for your 5 star review. Come and try the food soon!! :)
Cheers
Olly

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 24 July 2024 via mobile

40 minute wait for kitchen ordered food, which was no communicated by serving staff, my mum had a carvery and had finished it before I got my meal. When my meal eventually turned up, there was peppercorn sauce as ordered and I was thinking of told it would be 1 minute. I finished everything else off on the plate before it turned up. Then when I cut into what was meant to be a medium rare steak, it was medium/well done. And it didn't taste very nice either.

Only good thing is the pint of Pedigree I had and that's really nothing to do with the pub.

Avoid.

Date of visit: July 2024
Thank Departure30919767397
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pub Service Desk, Owner at Holly Blue, responded to this reviewResponded 31 July 2024

Thank you departure30919767397 for your comments. We are sorry it wasn’t up to standard this time. We are working on improving every day. Glad you liked the pedigree that I have conditioned, cleaned and taken care of in the cellar!
Olly

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 15 July 2024 via mobile

A fantastic pub with warm and welcoming staff. Recently came here as a group of 12 with all the family. Half the group had the carvery and the other half ate from the main menu, and the food was all absolutely delicious (the cowboy burger a must!) The children were kept entertained by the play area outside in the sunny garden, which was a big plus for us. We will be back again!

Date of visit: July 2024
Thank Traveler40639777544
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pub Owner, Owner at Holly Blue, responded to this reviewResponded 14 August 2024

We sincerely thank you for the positive review, and look forward to seeing you again soon!

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC
Reviewed 9 July 2024 via mobile

Fantastic food. This is a really lovely family pub, the food was great, all the staff friendly and went out of their way to make sure we were happy. My little neice enjoyed the playground and my 2 older kids loved watching England in the football on the tv.
We will definitely be back for another delicious roast!

Date of visit: July 2024
Thank HEShep
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pub Service Desk, Owner at Holly Blue, responded to this reviewResponded 11 July 2024

Thank you for your 5star review. Glad you enjoyed it and we hope to see you soon!
Olly

Report response as inappropriate
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC

Travellers who viewed Holly Blue also viewed

Eastbourne, East Sussex
 

Been to Holly Blue? Share your experiences!

Write a Review Add Photos & Videos

Owners: What's your side of the story?

Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.

Claim Your Listing
© 2024 Tripadvisor LLC All rights reserved.

This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in South Africa. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu.