Bush Blackbird and Thrush

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#1 of 7 Restaurants in East Peckham££ - £££, Bar, British, Vegetarian friendly

+44 1622 871349+ Add website

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Hours

Sun

12:00 - 21:00

Wed

12:00 - 22:00

Thu

12:00 - 22:00

Fri

12:00 - 22:00

Sat

12:00 - 22:00

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What is Travellers’ Choice?

Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Ratings and reviews

4.5

274 reviews

#1 of 7 Restaurants in East Peckham

Travellers' Choice 2024

RATINGS

Food

Service

Value

Atmosphere

Food and ambience

Local cuisine, Bar, British, Pub, Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options

“... staff so try this little gem of pub just outside east Peckham won’t let y...”

“Roast potatoes, crackling, gravy and meat, all of it was cooked to perfection.”

Special Occasion Dining, View, Groups, Bar Scene, Business meetings

“Business Lunch”

Location and contact

194 Bush Road, East Peckham TN12 5LN England

+44 1622 871349

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Is this restaurant good for bar scene?

Yes

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Details

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About

Closed on Mondays Except Bank Holidays, Hours 12:00am - 8:00pm

CUISINES

Bar, British, Pub

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Lunch, Dinner, Brunch

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Free off-street parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service

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4.5

274 reviews

Excellent

159

Very good

Average

Poor

Terrible

Johnwpf

Southborough539 contributions

Great Sunday lunch

Sept 2020 • family

Five of us came for Sunday lunch. The food was very good. The setting is wonderful, it looks like everybody’s idea of a perfect country pub. The roast dinners were generous with Yorkshire puddings, cauliflower cheese, beans etc. The beer comes from the barrel, and it excellent. We all had puddings though we were full, but we had seen them served to other tables and they looked good. Recommended.

Written 16 September 2020

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.

Holidaystar4

1 contribution

A fabulous country pub

Sept 2020 • none

We went as a family of four for Sunday lunch. The food was amazing. We choose our meals from both the traditional Sunday lunch menu and normal menu, which had a great choice. The service from the bar staff and waiting staff was first class, adhering to the new covid measures. A fabulous atmosphere, extremely clean in both the bar area and toilets. There is a very large garden and a pleasant covered terrace if you want to sit outside. The pub is now under new management that have given it a total transformation with the make over and it looks great. Would highly recommend a visit to anyone, and we will definitely become regular visitors.

Written 14 September 2020

The-Browns999

Swanley71 contributions

Early Evening Summer Dining in the Garden

Jun 2021 • none

We dropped by for something to eat and drink on Tuesday evening and wanted to say how much we enjoyed the food, drinks, ambience and hospitality. We were waited on by Kate, who was so warm and welcoming throughout. We had a Bacon & Cheeseburger with delicious fries and salad as well as Pie of the day (Chicken) with roast potatoes and very fresh veg. The cheese that the Chef use in the Bacon & Cheeseburger, adds amazing flavour. Lovely setting and the warm summer evening was just delightful. Service was so welcoming and friendly throughout and we will definitely return soon.

Written 4 June 2021

Harry M

10 contributions

A real shame

Aug 2020 • family

I visited with my family having loved the pub under it's old management. Unfortunately it has really gone down hill in every respect. Portions were stingy, food greasy and not tasty. Food was clearly pre cooked and just heated up to serve with very little effort going into the preparation or presentation. Despite this the prices were very dear costing just under 40 quid for a starter and main for two, with only one drink. The atmosphere has completely gone and clearly a cost saving regime has dragged down every thing that made this pub a once great place to visit. I won't be back and I'm very disappointed.

Written 13 August 2020

Stay00556934478

When you say it’s gone downhill not sure what you mean.I have been open for just under 2 weeks I have spent 50k on this business. All the staff that I have kept on has said we have never been so busy. None of our food is pre cooked. It is freshly cooked to order you can ask one of the ten staff I kept on. I am glad you won’t be back we don’t need such negativity around us. Good luck John

Written 14 August 2020

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

kev_xjr

16 contributions

Delivery

Feb 2021 • none

Ordered a pizza and fries and a burger and fries for delivery through just eat. Unfortunately when it arrived it was all luke warm at best. If they advertise delivery then they should make arrangements to keep the food hot. We have had food delivered to paddock wood from other people in east peckham and never had cold food before. Maybe we were a way down the delivery slot, I dont know. Shame really because there was nothing wrong with the food, but when you spend £30 you expect a bit more.

Written 14 February 2021

Steve I

2 contributions

Meat confusion and when is Cottage Pie actually made with lamb?

Sept 2021 • none

Thought we'd try the restaurant for dinner tonight. The menu in the pub differed from that on the website, and has less choice, especially if you're vegetarian. I ordered the 'Posh Cottage Pie' which described itself as coming with vegetables and dauphinoise potatoes. So good so far. What arrived was basically a pile of meat in gravy and looked nothing like a Cottage Pie. Further, this meat was not beef, but lamb. In fairness there was a lot of lamb, enough to feed four, however, there were four thin slices of potato laid on top of this pile of meat, not dauphinoise in the slightest. The vegetables, a few random carrots and mushy cauliflower had been microwaved within an inch of their lives. When we queried with the chef that a Cottage Pie is made with beef and a Shepherds Pie is made with lamb, he said, 'oh, I didn't cook that, the owner cooked it'. Is the owner around? 'No, he's not in today.' So the food was obviously not cooked when I ordered it and therefore must have been warmed up. The waitress called the owner who said 'it's 100% beef and that we were wrong'. I'm sorry, I'm 45 years old, have eaten meat all my life and I've never confused beef with lamb before, they're quite distinct flavours, look different, smell different and certainly taste different. If the owner can't tell the difference then he shouldn't be in the kitchen the day (2 days or week, who knows) before cooking meals. We won't be returning and judging by another table of four that came in, sat down, ordered drinks and asked 'is there anything on the menu that doesn't contain meat?' were told, 'well, we could do a mushroom pasta' but otherwise no, they then left to find somewhere else to eat and I wished we'd done the same. To finish off, they kindly automatically added a 10% service charge to our bill. How kind. Definitely don't go to this pub for the food.

Written 4 September 2021

Stay00556934478

Thank you so kindly for your review. Can you please take this off as it is In factual . I cooked the said “cottage pie” it is made with Featherblade Steak (beef) which cooks slowly overnight. It does not say on the menu it comes with dauphinoise potatoes it says it is topped with dauphinoise potatoes another false accusation. The Menu on the website clearly says sample menu so another false statement. Shall I go on I won’t because I am busy. I know you won’t take this off as you probably still think it was Lamb. I hope the general public see this review and take it with the pinch of salt it needs to be taken with. I am so glad you will not be returning to my business. Regards John

Written 5 September 2021

This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Gonkie

Maidstone112 contributions

Terrible service, food not great

Apr 2022 • none

We went to this pub for a Sunday lunch, the car park is large and the pub was busy. We ordered our drinks and eventually managed to order our food, we all ordered roasts. After 1.5 hours waiting for our our food, we asked where it was. They apologised and said it was on it's way. After another 15 minutes we still hadn't received the food, we asked and we got another insincere apology. To be honest, if we hadn't had a young hungry child with us I would have just walked out, but we waited. We weren't the only ones, there was another table with the same problem. Unfortunately, the food was NOT worth the wait. When we asked for a discount from the bill for our wait and the bad food, they reluctantly took 1 meal off the bill. If you want to have a drink in pub garden, this would suffice. If you want nice food, I would not recommend.

Written 29 April 2022

Ineedtochill

Tonbridge55 contributions

Wow, what a change

Aug 2020 • none

Hadn't eaten here for over a year and welcome the changes. The decor is fresh, there is a more limited menu of pub classics and it is more reasonably priced. Great service with a smile, what is there not to like. Tried a sandwich at lunchtime and we enjoyed it, so my partner went back with a group of friends and they all had a good time and are looking at returning.

Written 22 August 2020

Shane F

1 contribution

Amazing Cottage Pie

Sept 2021 • none

Visited this pub on a little family outing we had last weekend and was greeted with positive and happy staff who accommodated our last minute arrival. Being an ex chef in a popular Essex restaurant, I can be quite picky at times when it comes to eating out (call me a snob but I just like tasty, fresh food) I ordered the cottage pie and was very impressed. this may be an easy dish to cook but there was something different about this one, and that's when I spoke with the chef and see his process and what he done to make it as good as what it was, especially the overnight slow cooked slab of beef he was prepping for the next day. Drinks were served in good timing and will be returning in the near future.

Written 6 September 2021

gcleo

London72 contributions

Wow, delicious meal & lovely setting!

Aug 2020 • couples

Wow, delicious meal in a stunning location. The menu is varied with something for everyone. Our meals were so fresh and we were even more delighted to hear it is all home cooked and locally sourced where possible. The staff were welcoming and friendly, nothing was too much trouble. This pub is kid friendly & dog friendly with plenty of space for both to run free, lovely spacious garden for all to enjoy. So lovely to find this little treasure of a pub to enjoy summer nights watching the sun go down, we will be back!

Written 14 August 2020

Combzy

East Peckham69 contributions

New Management

Jun 2023 • friends

This month finally there is new management. Ignore everything positive or more important negative prior to this review. Went for a Friday lunch drink with a friend and first impressions were very good. Have lived in village for 10 years and this pub has never lived up to its potential so the whole village has its fingers crossed. Will review again after a meal. Last visit under prior temporary management could not understand why a very good soup would be given in short measure. Could not have saved any money and one unhappy customer. We were impressed by the customer service in particular

Written 16 June 2023

Alison P

16 contributions

Lovely food, service could be better

Oct 2023 • family

Had booked the restaurant a week before for a family birthday celebration. However, ended being put on a table in the bar area which was disappointing. A large party then came in which had not booked and were put on a large table next to us which meant we got no service from the waitresses from then on. On the plus side, the food was absolutely excellent. Starters of tasty pate and soup, followed by delicious Sunday roasts and rounded off with scrumptious apple pie. What’s not to like!

Written 23 October 2023

Roger D

15 contributions

A very pleasant lunch

Jun 2021 • none

Whilst travelling home to West Kent, we decided to drop into the BBT for a quick lunch. It was fairly busy but we had a choice of table and the drinks and meal service was friendly and efficient. The menu changes regularly and the choice is good but not overpoweringly large. The food was excellent. The chef must take pride in their presentations which are hunger-curing in size.

Written 25 June 2021

Jannerdutchy

Bodmin4 contributions

Camping experience

Jul 2023 • family

We stayed here for two nights in our motorhome as they advertise in the 'Brit Stops'. We were made to feel extremely welcome from the minute we arrived. The barmaid even sorted out our wifi connection which was alien to us! We had two fabulous evening meals at a very reasonable cost. The chef came out both evenings to check whether we had enjoyed our meals and was extremely friendly to all of the guests. Can't rate it highly enough. Next time we are in the area we will definitly stay there again. Well done to all of the staff. Thank you

Written 4 August 2023

GeminiOne

455 contributions

Great little find on the countryside

Aug 2023 • friends

Friendly staff, lovely beer garden nice little find, the pub isn’t overlooked so sitting out the front gives you lovely countryside view. FOOD: My chips came out cold and the bread was not fresh, slightly crispy. The portion size for my client too much ham and he normally eats everything, However he did enjoyed his lunch. I’m a chef so I’m a little more observant than the average Joe😀 TIPS: Always bring out salt pepper with meals. Add slice of lemon when serving any type of fish Shred the salad thinly to add to sandwiches Serve only fresh bread🙂