Crown & Anchor, Apuldram, Chichester

Blessed with an idyllic setting overlooking Chichester Harbour at Dell Quay, this is a large waterside pub that seemed very popular with walkers in search of refreshment and family groups looking for a spot to eat. The pub has a multiple room layout, which has been tastefully opened out slightly in a couple of spots, but still creates a nice traditional feel. The right hand side hosts the main bar and a formal dining area. It's bare boarded throughout with set tables, a lovely old fireplace towards the front, a compact side room with an open kitchen and great views across the harbour and a rear seating area with some lovely curved windows along the back wall which again provide top class views. The left hand bar is much smaller in comparison but has some comfier looking seating and another attractive fireplace and was notably quieter and easier to get served than the manic main bar. Moving further left, there is a final seating area in a rather dark and narrow room where more people were eating. This was arguably the least appealing part of the pub and we were much better off heading through the door here that leads out to the beer garden. This is a split level space with a small keg-only bar and a huge BBQ station that was firing on all cylinders on our Sunday afternoon visit. Loads of chunky bench seating is on offer on both levels of the garden and there wasn't a single position from which you couldn't enjoy the fine vista across the water. The pub sign indicates that this is a Youngs house and their Ordinary was available on hand pump along with two beers from Hog's Back - HBB and Golden Summer. I tried a pint of the latter, which was in good shape on a hot summer's afternoon but my other half ordered a pint of cranberry and lemonade and was given a fruit juice which appeared to have spoiled. Upon returning it, she was given a new pint, but this turned out to have the same problem. The service in general was a bit sloppy, with customer's being served out of turn at the bar, waitresses dropping cutlery and failing to pick it up and messy tables throughout, but it was a busy day, so perhaps they were feeling the strain a little. This was a welcome rest point during a very enjoyable walk along the canal and back into town alongside the harbour. I was quite impressed with the smart, interesting interior and obviously enjoyed the fine views but was a little put-off by the quality of the service. I'd suggest this is worth visiting if you're walking in the area, but whether it stands up as a destination pub in its own right remains to be seen.

Fantastic location, friendly staff and good food. Food was served quickly, staff made sure we had everything we needed, were helpful and friendly from start to finish. Would definatley go back.

Attractive old pub right on the harbour's edge. Large floor to ceiling windows at the back make the most of the views across the water and there's a small beer garden as well. It's a good sized pub with several different rooms, wooden flooring and some old beams. They do food all day. Barman seemed pretty useless, managing to get 50% of our order wrong (wrong size drink, wrong flavour packet of crisps). Beers on offer were Young's Bitter and London Gold, St. Austell's Tribute and Wells Bombadier. The only cider was Strongbow unfortunately.