The Anchor - Borough Market.

Founded during the 1770s in the reign of George III, the Anchor pub as it stands today was constructed between 1770 and 1775. It occupies the site of a much older inn named the Castell on the Hoop, which boasts an impressive 800-year history. The bustling Bankside was a starkly different place in those days: a narrow medieval street flanked by wharves and warehouses, permeated by the stench of fish and reverberating with the unsettling noises of brothels and bear-baiting arenas. The inhabitants of these brothels were locally referred to as "Winchester Geese," a nod to the Bishop of Winchester, who owned the establishments and collected the tax revenues.

Several centuries later, this area became the heart of Elizabethan theatreland, with Shakespeare himself possibly treading these very streets. The Anchor’s history includes serving as a haven for river pirates and smugglers; 19th-century repairs uncovered a treasure trove of hidden compartments for stashing stolen goods and contraband. The pub has also been rebuilt twice after being razed by fire on two occasions. Among its notable claims to fame, diarist Samuel Pepys observed the Great Fire of London from this pub in 1666, and lexicographer Dr Samuel Johnson was known to drop by for a pint, no doubt musing over his dictionary entries. Sometimes, “ale” and “pipe” are the only words one needs.

The main bar is spacious with oak beams, divided into cosy nooks and cubby holes. Should you struggle to find a seat, continue exploring: the pub is a labyrinth of dimly lit rooms spread across multiple levels, offering a variety of ambiences to suit your mood among its comfortable lounges, bars, mezzanines, and galleries.