A horrendous, depressing and dispiriting pub.
The Anchor is blessed with the most wonderful location in East Sussex, deep in the countryside and next to a river. You can hire boats, there's a kitchen and a choice of ales... well that's the theory.
The pub has almost zero stock of drinks, the food is re-heated cardboard lifted from the nearest freezer and microwaved in seconds and the boats are inconcievably expensive (and I mean inconceivable - you can read the price, calculate the hourly cost for your party, write it down, paint it on the side of the boat - it won't work - it is so expensive your brain will refuse to take it in - you can simply not conceive that hiring a boat would be so expensive).
And then there's the service...
I've been to the anchor four times over the years and on recent occassions I have been left with the feeling that my presence at the pub is nothing more than an imposition, a liberty that I dain to visit their establishment and what's more try and buy a drink (or maybe even some crisps - I ask you) from their pitiful selection.
Last time it was a lovely summer Sunday, at about 7pm - so like an idiot I thought "Let's go to the Anchor, they can't do it to us again". There were about a dozen people there... I left the family outside in the garden and went to the bar... and waited... and waited... a phone was ringing on an on... so I waited... and waited... eventually the 'landlord' came out, answered the phone, muttered to his mate and then looked at me with a sneer. I asked for a drink, he looked disgusted at the idea. "We're closing" "Can I get a drink for my kids?" "No" "Please..." No response. He just ushered me out, shut the door and locked it behind me. Leaving my family and a dozen punters and family confused and annoyed to wander off and find a real pub.
So overall - expensive, rubbish food, no drinks, rude and horrendous service. Add to that the fact that the landlord has been known to search people's bags in case they are daring to bring their own food to eat on the boats, the benches outside the pub or even on the other bank (!) - whiich he doesn't even own.
My advice - do not visit. You want to boat on in East Sussex - build one for yourself it cheaper and more pleasant! read more