The Anchor Bleu, Chichester

For full effect this pub is best approached at low tide from the harbour at Bosham and then you get the feel of its excellent elevated position with commanding views of the Chichester Harbour inlet. The only negative is that those commanding views can only be enjoyed from the half a dozen external tables on the terrace at the back of the pub and the other larger outside seating area to the front of the pub and the pub rooms itself affords no such views. And you have to be very quick off the mark at opening time or very lucky to time it to get one of the prized tables on the back terrace. Internally the pub is fairly small but full of character, with low beans and small individual areas and I am not sure if it is but looks centuries old. There is a main room space on a couple of levels, one of which houses the small bar serving area and then a smaller separate dining room to side Traditional pub food is served and I can recommend the fish and chips here. I can also recommend the beer and Hop Back Summer Lightning, Harveys Best, Sharps Atlantic and Cottage Brewery SB were available on the four of the five hand pumps in use, and the couple we tried were in good nick. Great waterside pub, but is deservedly popular, and therefore busy, especially in fine weather.

This is a great, cosy old pub with a flagstone floor and old beams right on the water's edge with some fantastic views across the harbour. It's even better inside than it looks from the outside. I guess with it's enviable location and limited competition, it doesn't have to try too hard to attract the punters in. There's a small terrace out the back to make the most of the views, which is just as well as you can't see much from the pub itself. The windows are quite small and the higher level of the patio blocks what little view there is. There's an extensive menu chalked up on a board and a real fire burning away which was a welcome respite from the very cold and wet weather on our visit. Beers on offer were Hogs Back TEA, Sharp's Doom Bar and Cornish Coaster plus Bombadier. The cider was Stowford Press which makes a nice change from all the Strongbow around these parts.