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The Anchor, Cambridge
Cambridge
CB3 9EL
Pub Type
Metropolitan Pub Co (Greene King)Reviews (Current Rating Average: 6½ of 10) see review guidelines
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
E TA left this review about The Anchor
A very interesting pub as described by others, below, and I enjoyed the Pink Floyd connection, calling into mind as it did the Granchester Meadows track. Still a GK pub, the ales on were GK IPA, Mad Squirrel De La Milli, Nero and Colossus from Milton and Abbot. I had the Nero, which tasted OK but was rather flat. There were also 3 craft ciders on, plus mulled cider. There was a selection of sausage rolls, scotch eggs and pork pies available, but having seen the female kitchen staff lolling around and smoking on a bed of stale fags ends by the back door we were put off eating. The upstairs bar was closed, but the basement was open and quite convivial. Much more civilised than the student bars close by and worth staying to the bitter end.
On 31st January 2020
- rating: 6
[User has posted 3285 recommendations about 3250 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Malden man left this review about The Anchor
A rambling interior spread over several levels which step down in stages to the Mill Pond off the River Cam. The outdoor terrace has fine waterside views plus amusing entertainment watching the less experienced gooning around in punts. Lots of exposed brickwork, nice log fireplace which must be great on a chilly winter's day but not needed on a seriously hot summer lunchtime. Interior decor includes various college photos plus what I took to be a very early band photo of Pink Floyd, there is allegedly a Syd Barrett connection to the pub. I read that there are a pair of bars but I only saw the one so my beer list might not be complete, they had Nene Valley Manhatten Project, GK IPA, Steadfast, (likely to be the usual GK rebadge beer) and Bishop Nick Divine. Rather touristy as you'd expect given the location, most visitors were ordering food, the servery is open to view. An acceptable pitstop.
On 10th July 2017
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1708 recommendations about 1681 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Real Ale Ray left this review about The Anchor
A traditional style interior which has had a major refurbishment from GK in recent years. The pub was moderately busy on our visit, mainly locals popping in for a spot of lunch. Bar service was friendly and efficient, five ales on handpump, so we went for the Nethergate Suffolk County. A well run pub as you would expect from GK, so well worth a look in.
On 9th March 2016
- rating: 7
[User has posted 3382 recommendations about 3381 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Anchor
A honeypot location with views over the punting station at the end of the navigable River Cam,although you will only see motorised craft here in the winter when the punting traffic is thin.The bar is downstairs from street level,with a dining room up a few stairs and both sections have fine views of the river traffic.The wooden floored bar area is quite small with a few seating booths and circular tables so it doesnt take many punters to make the pub seem busy.The five handpumps were drawing a house brew called Steadfast (no doubt a GK brew given their ownership of the building) ,GK IPA,Trumans Gunboat Smith,Jo C's Stout Robin (very good) and City of Cambridge Hobsons Choice.There was a decent selection of keg beers with some craft brewers featuring including Freedom East India Pale.
Better than I thought it would be given the GK ownership,and the menu was a bit more upmarket than the usual pub grub fare there is a reasonable stop if you are crawling the tourist hot spots but is overshadowed by the nearby Mill.
On 31st December 2015
- rating: 7
[User has posted 2727 recommendations about 2727 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Steve of N21 left this review about The Anchor
As mentioned by others the Anchor dates back to 1864 where it is recorded as a tavern and enjoys an idyllic setting on the edge of the River Cam overlooking the Mill pond, a very short walk away from Cambridge city centre.
The three level, two bar set up is well described below and the best place to get on a decent weather day is the outside decking area by the river. However , you have to get up early to get seated out here as its location makes in a magnet for the hoards of tourists, especially as one of the CAM punt pick up sites is next door.
Allegedly Syd Barrett was a regular at the Anchor riverside bar during the sixties and the riverside bar has a tribute to his legacy in the form of a mural. But as Roger mentions there is some doubt to the accuracy of this being a favoured watering hole for the original Pink Floyd front man.
Predictably the place was heaving on the Saturday of probably the hottest weekend of the year so far and it did take a while to get served, but this was better achieved in the upstairs bar.
Fortunately both bars were supporting the two guest ales which were Batemans Spring Goddess and Goddards Fuggle de Dum.
This is actually not a bad pub, but does suffer from being overrun by tourists, but I guess that described me pre College walk so cannot really take umbrage at that.
On 30th May 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 2110 recommendations about 1992 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Oggwyn Great left this review about The Anchor
As previous reviews have said this is a large rambling pub on the river side , the main entrance is on the middle level which has comfy leather furniture , the upstairs area is the main bar , theres another on the lower level , upstairs has various nooks and crannies and is itself on several different levels , there are good views over the river .
Usual keg taps plus seven handpulls , four different beers from Greene King , Abbott , Speckled Hen , IPA and a decent Westgate Ale Fresco .
Its a decent enough place for a pint although very food led and it does get packed with tourists and students
On 6th May 2012
- rating: 6
[User has posted 797 recommendations about 683 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Roger Button left this review about The Anchor
This sizeable and quite rambling pub is is split over 3 levels but far from feeling cavernous, it has plenty of nooks and crannies and generally feels reasonably intimate given its pub. The 2 bars themselves are situated on ground and upper levels with the middle level more of a loungey area with sofas and tub chairs. The décor contains plenty of old pictures of the city and there are a few tenuous Pink Floyd connections which seem to be open to debate. The beers come from the usual Greene King range with 3 Ales available on my visit (Speckled Hen, Abbott & IPA) at very reasonable prices given the touristy nature of the pub and also of decent enough quality. There wasn’t an over extensive menu if you are looking to eat (as we were). The pub is situated on the river bank and there is a large terrace outside where the ducks await the crumbs and the punts are ready to whisk you off for a jolly on the Cam. The place certainly has its merits and is worth popping in if you are passing but it probably doesn’t hold enough attraction for me to spend entire evenings here on a regular basis.
On 29th December 2009
- rating: 6
[User has posted 1239 recommendations about 1233 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tony Langley left this review about The Anchor
On at least three floors, gets very busy in the summer. One of three pubs which overlook (indeed there is decking over) the famous Mill Pond.
On 1st November 2008
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 38 recommendations about 38 pubs]