The Anchor Inn  

Just two minutes’ drive from the A31 between Farnham and Alton, the Anchor Inn has been rescued from obscurity by Andrew Clark and Lucy Townsend, former chefs at Hotel du Vin, the upmarket hotel and restaurant chain.

The inside is where you can sit and relax reading the paper over a pint of ale, or sit beneath old prints in the snug listening to the cricket on the radio. The intention is to bring back an olde worlde feeling.

The sprawling 16th century exterior has been restored to something like its former glory, while inside there is a cosy combination of low oak beams, log fires and rugs scattered on polished wood floors.

The tile-hung exterior has been extended and smartened up, with huge lead planters standing guard either side of the Snug and Saloon Bar doors. However, the real "wow" factor has been reserved for the cosy interior, the original bars sporting sagging, head-cracking, low oak beams, polished wooden floors, open log fires and an eclectic mix of furnishings, from leather chairs to cushioned pews.

The dining room extension offers more formal surroundings: tables laid with gleaming cutlery and glasses, candelabras and plants in pewter tankards. But there’s nothing too fancy on the short, simple menu – just satisfying classic British dishes, which are well cooked using seasonal ingredients from top local producers.

Food is as you would expect, upmarket from the owners, with prices to match. It is served Mon-Sat 12–2pm, 6.30–9.30pm; Sun 12–4pm .

In the bar, you can sup a pint of Fortyniner from Ringwood brewery. There is also an extensive wine menu.

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