The Hollybush Inn

Denford Road, Denford, Nr. Leek, Staffordshire ST13 7JT

Tel: 01538 371819

What a lovely place The Hollybush Inn is! It sits with the Caldon Canal to the front and the Leek branch of the canal to the rear, and is a favourite stopping point for people cruising the waters and exploring the tow paths. Dating back to the 17^th century, it was actually a corn mill before it became a pub and today's visitors will find a picturesque, whitewashed building with small-paned windows and an inn sign that incorporates a clock. The inside is equally delightful and everything an English inn should be; the floors are part quarry tiles, there are old oak beams, open fires, copper and brass ornaments and comfortable seating. The restaurant area is roomy and well appointed, seating up to 20 people, though you can also eat in the conservatory or elsewhere in the hostelry if you wish.

The Hollybush Inn has been in the hands of the Prime family since 1979, and run by Steve and Linda since January 2000, assisted by Steve's cousin Angela who acts as manager and is also one of the chefs. The family extend a warm, friendly welcome to all, and the result is a very popular country pub with lots of regular customers. Open all day, every day, the bar offers a good range of drinks, including Courage Best, Directors, Burton, Bass 4X Mild, Worthington Creamflow, Carling, Grolsch, Black Sheep, London Pride, Youngs Specials, Tiger, Strongbow and Guinness. The superb food is also available seven days a week, all day through the busier summer months, with last orders taken at 9pm. Such is the popularity at weekends, that booking ahead is recommended. There is a printed menu and a specials board from which to choose, and all the dishes are prepared in the inn's own kitchens from fresh ingredients that are sourced locally where possible. Try the speciality of the house, home-made beef and ale pie, or a dish that is infamous throughout the area, the Hollybush grill. To accompany your meal, there is a reasonable wine list. If you want to linger in the area and are looking for a place to stay, The Hollybush has two guest bedrooms available throughout the year.

You'd think that Steve would have very little time to spare from running this popular pub, but he is an active member of the Norton Tug of War team which uses the pub as its headquarters. This is no amateur pub team though, they have recently become European Champions for 2003 in the 560kg class, and won a number of World titles too. Their impressive collection of trophies is on display within
the inn.