The Anchor, SE1

A large, multi-level pub on the banks of The Thames, it is inevitably something of a tourist trap given it’s location, but does nonetheless manage to maintain a fairly traditional feel to it, and we found it a pleasant enough pit stop on our walk along Southbank. It is also recognisable from one of the Mission Impossible films when Ethan Hunt stopped here for a drink. The pub is split in to a number of different areas spread over a couple of levels. The central room is probably the cosiest with a low beamed ceiling whilst a much larger and open room to the right had a couple of plasma screens in ornate gilt frames and a disused fire-place. Flooring was predominantly black boards and there was much exposed brickwork, some of it inlaid with black timber. Elsewhere, extensive wood panelling lent something of a hotel drawing room feel to the place and there were numerous old photographs and drawings on the walls. Beers on tap were 1730, London Glory, Green King IPA and Old Golden Hen, whilst the ciders were Aspall’s Suffolk and Symonds Founders Reserve.

Quite a gloomy pub with little traditional sash type windows that restrict the light.Upstairs beer garden/patio.About 4 cask beers on inc my Trumans -Swallow in good nick.The most touristy of the river pubs that I visited.