The Anchor Inn

Pub with rooms in Alton, Hampshire

Curator's notes:

  • Wonderfully rural
  • Cosy bar
  • Spacious garden terrace
  • Traditional, seasonal British menu
  • Scenic and serene
  • A touch of culture
  • Crown collection
  • Work-friendly
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The Anchor Inn

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Speak to us on +44 (0)20 8161 0100

Overview

An idyllic country inn surrounded by sweeping fields in all directions, this is one of Hampshire's best kept secrets - and once you visit you will want to keep it that way! Both the literary-themed country chic bedrooms and quirky-cosy bar and restaurant are brimming with character - you'll find a menagerie of curious objects on every surface, and walls adorned with paintings, portraits and inspirational quotes.

The menu champions traditional and seasonal British fare, and there's a spacious garden terrace for al fresco wining and dining. The Anchor Inn is well placed for exploring the magnificent South Downs National Park and historic sites such as the home of 18th century writer Jane Austen and the medieval city of Winchester.

Rooms from

Classic: £85
With a view: £115


Good to know

  • All major credit cards accepted
  • Parking available
  • Disabled access
  • Dogs welcome in the bar and garden areas

Scenic and serene
An idyllic country inn surrounded by sweeping fields in all directions and perfect for spending time outdoors in the South Downs National Park.

A touch of culture
A good base for exploring historic sites such as the home of 18th century writer Jane Austen and the medieval city of Winchester.

Work-friendly
Within easy of reach London, The Anchor Inn has a private dining room which is an adaptable space ideal for meetings, presentations or workshop sessions.

Crown collection
Part of the original Epicurean Collection, you can earn and redeem Crowns here if you are one of our Crown members.

Rooms

The Anchor Inn's five eclectic bedrooms, decorated in a cottage chic style, feature Tudor-style beams, sleigh beds and charming antique pieces. Each is named after a literary great of the past and includes a stacked book shelf, creating the perfect setting in which to curl up with something to read, a cup of tea and homemade biscuits, or pamper yourself with our handmade Bramley bathing products in your en-suite power shower.

For the ultimate country escape, don't miss the chance to stay in our Rupert Brooke suite, named after the acclaimed British war poet, which has floor-to-ceiling French windows and a private terrace offering fabulous views of Hampshire's beautiful countryside.

Restaurant & bar

For a quiet drink, linger in the cosy bar where you'll find chunk, low timbered ceilings, plenty of inviting cubby holes (including a 14th century wood-panelled snug) and a delicious range of regional ales and craft spirits.

For food lovers, the restaurant offers award-winning traditional and seasonal British fare - think locally shot partridge, Severn and Wye smoked salmon and Dorset veal, for example - and tempting Sunday roasts. If the weather's nice, take advantage of it and in their sunny garden terrace to enjoy a spot of al fresco dining.

Private dining

For banquet-style feasts, intimate candlelit dinner parties or boardroom-style business meetings, the private 'State Room', featuring a long wooden table seating up to 30 people, is ideal. The walls are lined with paintings of historic British writers, poets and other proud patrons, creating a distinguished old world feel. The room, which overlooks the garden, even has its own private terrace should you feel the urge for a cigar or two.

Experiences

If you want to do something cultural, head to Chawton to visit Jane Austen's House Museum, where the 19th century novelist lived and worked. You can also visit Chawton House Library next door where Austen's brother once resided and which the author called the "Great House" in her letters. We offer tickets to both venues as part of our Jane Austen Literary Escape.

Things to do

Set on a quiet country road and surrounded by fields, the Anchor Inn is the perfect place to get away from it all. But it also makes a great base for exploring the nearby South Downs National Park, which features ancient woodlands, swooping chalk downs and more than 700 miles of bridleways and footpaths, including the South Downs Way. Slip on your wellies for a stroll or take a vintage train ride on the Watercress Line - trains depart from nearby Alton- and admire the scenery from your carriage.

Tree lovers should head to Winkworth Arboretum, managed by the National Trust, which is home to more than 1,000 species of trees and shrubs, and is a must-see during bluebell season. A little further afield you will find Micheldever Wood, which offers year-round beauty.

Getting here

Directions

Nearest train station: Bentley
Taxi from station: about 5min
Drive: 31min from Winchester, 31min from Guildford, 51min from Southampton, 1hr 23min from London
Parking: on site

Address

Lower Froyle, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4NA

Prices & availability