The Anchor Inn

Fabulous little place off the beaten track but not hard to find. It's old but well loved and decorated throughout in a quirky way with pictures on random spots on the walls with no apparent consistency but it simply adds to its charm. Some fantastic beers, I would highly recommend the Butcombe supplied Tall Tales pale ale, it was fruity and refreshing, ideal for sitting in the spacious garden out the back as it overlooks nothing but fields. The quietness of the location is idyllic.

The staff are very welcoming, the food absolutely delicious and the bed so comfortable. Also one of the best showers I've ever experienced; puts some 4/5 star hotels I've stayed in to shame!

I'm not local so not sure if I'll be able to return but I wouldn't hesitate to do so if the opportunity arose.

Fantastic meal, great service and stunning location. All our food was amazing especially the fish and chips! Great selection of drinks and extremely clean and welcoming environment. Amazing view out of the garden as well!

Lucy and Rory were great as was the gluten free burger.
Best rooms around Alton, very quirky and wonky. Enjoy the dogs that are usually in the lounge.
Great Rhythm&Blues sound track.
Would be good if breakfast started a bit earlier...

Absolutely excellent. Food was top notch. Service from Sophie and Ella was exceptional. I’ve had some fairly average pub Sunday lunches in my time, but this is definitely not one of them. I will be coming back and I would recommend The Anchor to anyone.

We booked the pleasant private room for an 80th birthday celebration Sunday Lunch for 12. The pub was really busy, with the staff coping with several large groups. There was a bit of a wait between courses, nevertheless the service was generally excellent, and the food good quality and well presented, with attention to detail given to personal meal requests. There was no restriction on adding private touches, e.g. we brought a cake and some table decorations. It was a really enjoyable occasion for all. I would certainly recommend this venue.

Excellent short stay and again really enjoyed the food, drinks and service. We particularly enjoyed the pumpkin gnocchi and the steak and ale pie. Also thank you to Lucy for her brilliant service. Outstanding pub with rooms.

We went for a meal on Mother's Day.
Lovely pub and staff.
The food was lovely. My only criticism would be of the rhubarb and apple crumble. I didn't like the skin left on the apple, and there was more apple than rhubarb and crumble. Everything else was perfect 👌

Following an impromptu visit for a drink we were welcomed in by Lucy. Who promoted the rooms to us by showing us them. We then later revisited and stayed. Further visits were made over a few weeks to done. Each visit Lucy and the team were a massive credit to Butcombe. The pub is full of atmosphere and so are the rooms. The idiosyncrasies of an old building should be expected and added to the visit.We will be visiting again when we are next nearby and look forward to catching up with Lucy and her very friendly team.

We stayed in a wonderful room overlooking fields with a king sized bed. It has real character much like the rest of this pub/country restaurant with rooms. Perfect. As for the supper and breakfast, outstanding. Julka in particular and Albert looked after our every need, were a delight to chat with and provided excellent service. All in all, we highly recommend The Anchor.

Our first visit for a few years. An early mid week dinner (6.30), but the pub was welcoming with log fire and several other customers. Good menu, incl a very good daily fish special. Will certainly return.

The atmosphere is fantastic wether your popping in for a pint whilst walking along the nearby trails or visiting for a meal. There is a wide range of drinks to suit everyone one and a fantastic menu which spoils you for choice.

We have just returned from one night and dinner at The Anchor and it was a wonderful stay. We stayed in The Signature Room With a View and it was gorgeous, I would post pictures but unfortunately for us it poured with
rain the entire time and they wouldn't do it justice. The room was cosy warm, spotlessly clean and beautifully decorated. The high ceiling, huge window and private balcony really do make it feel special. The bed was huge, very comfy and with the best pillows I've ever had in a hotel. It is very quiet at night and we did not hear anything from the adjoining occupied rooms. TV and WiFi both worked fine. There was an iron + board and a hairdryer in the wardrobe which was large enough for a couple of weeks worth of clothes. A selection of lovely teas and some coffee and they will bring proper milk up in a little flask. Also some biscuits and a couple of bottles of water. The bathroom was large with ample big fluffy towels, nice toiletries and a great big rainfall shower that worked well. My only tiny whinge would be to suggest disposable shower caps, rainfall showers are wonderful but it is difficult not to get your hair wet.

Onto dinner and we had the scotch egg and Nduja croquettes to start, both were excellent. Mains were pie and the special which was monkfish tail on a seafood risotto. My husbands pie was delicious and packed full of steak but the monkfish and risotto was the star of the meal, perfectly cooked, incredibly tasty and the little bits of crispy squid were gorgeous! We finished up with the biscoff donuts and ice cream and a couple of coffees followed by several glasses of rum. I couldn't fault anything we ate, it was all very well cooked and delicious.

Both slightly delicate in the morning after all that rum we both had the full English breakfast which was excellent and much needed, the black pudding was great, real butter for the toast and a properly grilled tomato, super tasty. The coffee was proper fresh bean-to-cup and much appreciated.

Service throughout was lovely, efficient and friendly. I couldn't fault anyone we interacted with. We had a wonderful time, many thanks to Nadia and the whole team. We hope to come back when it is sunny!

Rory and Lucy were the consummate service providers. Professional, courteous and engaging. We enjoyed a super bar meal and drinks served by Rory - such a pleasant young man. Thank you both. We did not stay at the hotel though.

We popped into the Anchor Inn whilst on a circular walk from Bentley. It was a well-earned rest stop during our ramble. We hadn't booked to eat, although when we asked if we could, the staff were very accommodating, notifying us of what on their menu they were unable to serve due to being sold out. We chose the fish and chips and beef shin pie with vegetables. Both meals were good portions, beautifully cooked, and hot, the service was very pleasant, relaxed and friendly. The Inn has a warm country pub feel where walkers, dogs, and children were happily enjoying the atmosphere. We would be more than happy to return.

Our latest visit to the Anchor - it just gets better! Thank you Rory and Csilla for looking after us so well. Great beer, exciting menu and a welcoming atmosphere. We’ll be back…

We enjoyed a meal with friends on a Saturday night. Staff were very helpful and friendly- we had a problem with the one of our starters which was addressed straight away and overall team dealt with it very well.
Would definitely come back

Beautiful stay at the Anchor Inn. Fantastic food, kind staff and very cosy, clean rooms. We brought along our small dog who was also very well accommodated! Thank you very much.

We loved the olde worlde charm of the Inn and our room for the evening. The staff were welcoming and attentive. We also enjoyed dinner in the restaurant and an excellent breakfast. Would definitely consider staying again.

Went in for a lovely dinner on Sunday and was served by Sophie P. She was very patient and well mannered and helped us with anything we needed. Food was excellent and the place was lovely. Will be coming back.

Stayed here in one of the rooms, had dinner here and breakfast

Enjoyed every minute of it - excellent service and food was fantastic

Looking forward to coming back again soon

Many thanks