The Anchor Inn

Opened in March 2008, this cracking gastropub-with-rooms follows on from the success of its sister venture, The Peat Spade in Longstock, & the same ‘country inn’ modus operandi applies. Thanks to extensive re-modelling, it has retained its character throughout – from snug bar & saloon to a main dining area where bare boards, fashionable green paintwork, period chairs & polished wood tables sporting large candlesticks create a stylish look. All in all, The Anchor is a real charmer that plays pied piper to a coterie of Hampshire’s well off & London weekenders, by putting the emphasis on plates of food rather than pints of beer. The confident, accomplished cooking may not be trend-setting, but refined pub classics such as calf’s liver with bacon & mash or rhubarb crumble & custard tick all the right ‘local produce’ boxes.