The approach to Aberthaw is pretty uninspiring, as this tiny village - once a busy mediaeval port - is now dominated by a Cement Works and the bulk of the huge coal-fired power-station, with aircraft from nearby Cardiff Airport flying overhead.
But ignore all that, because the Blue Anchor is what you come here for. It's a fabulous old pub, with low ceilings (and some very low doorways), stone walls and a thatched roof. There's a new restaurant extension, built in a sympathetic matching style, but the old section has more character, including a wonderful snug with a very low doorway. Dating back to 1380, it has traded as a pub almost continuously since that time.
One of the interruptions (in 2004) nearly put paid to that, when the roof caught fire and destroyed the upper part of the mediaeval building. Fortunately, the damage was repaired and, once inside, you feel a world away from the pub's surroundings.
It serves a wide range of real ales: these include Wadworths 6X, Wye Valley Hereford Pale Ale, Brains Bitter and Theakston's Old Peculiar, as well as visiting guest ales. As you'd expect from a former CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale) pub of the year, they are very well kept.
It's also well known for its home-cooked food, often using locally grown ingredients, served either in the restaurant (Egon Ronay recommended) or the bar itself. As you'd expect, it gets busy, and Sunday lunch reservations are essential. Starters are around £5, mains £10 and desserts £5. Lovers of Sticky Toffee Pudding should go for that (and not expect to walk very far any time soon - portions are substantial).
There are a few parking places immediately in front of and behind the pub, with a small car park across the road.
Well worth searching out if you are in the Cardiff area. read more