The Fox and Anchor is a small gastro pub and hotel situated near Smithfield’s market in the centre of London. A short walk to either Farringdon or Barbican tube stations and you can be anywhere in the city in minutes. If you like to walk and experience the city, you can step onto Charterhouse Street, walk west and be in Covent Garden in 15 minutes.
If modern buildings, anonymous architecture and chain hotels aren’t your thing, you would do well to consider the Fox and Anchor. It’s a Victorian building that has been restored to a very high standard. It only has six rooms, but each one has its own character and offers something different to the stay. Be aware though that there are no lifts in this building, it’s strictly wooden stairs here.
The staff are friendly and welcoming and got us off to a great start. They smiled, talked to us and engaged us, making us feel welcome from the moment we got in the door. Bar service was fast and efficient, even when busy and our food arrived quickly when we ate there.
The rooms were spacious and very well appointed. We were booked into one of the highest rooms, which meant climbing some stairs, but it wasn’t anything to complain about. There was enough space in the room that it didn’t feel cramped at all. It was also well appointed with a mini bar, a large plasma TV and Bose sound system.
The highlight of the room was the Victorian roll-top bath at the end of the bed. As this was a romantic weekend away, that came in handy indeed. Not only is it a delight to use, but it also adds an undeniable character to the room. Overall the room we had was nicely laid out, well appointed and gave a feeling of space that made it a nice place to be.
Downstairs is a "gastro pub" ignoring the pretentious moniker, it’s a standard British pub that serves good honest food. It’s warm, welcoming and a nice place to be. If you like pub food with a high standard then this is the place for you. It’s beautifully laid out with a large, ornate pewter bar, which had a selection of nibbles which includes pork scratchings, pies, sausage rolls, scotch eggs and oysters.
We ate there on our first night. I had pork and apple sausages, mash and gravy. My partner had a burger and we both shared side orders of honey roast carrots, cauliflower cheese and mashed swede. While it might not suit the more sophisticated palate, I defy anyone to not enjoy the food. It was served hot, had a lot of flavour and was immensely satisfying.
We also breakfasted there, which was an equally satisfying experience. It was served on a wooden block that had rock salt in a pewter dish, just like you imagine the Victorians had. There was no continental breakfast on offer, just the full English, but that meal set me up for the rest of the day, it was delicious.
The Fox and Anchor is an authentic feeling Victorian experience in the heart of a modern city. It combines the old character with new technology well, neither seems to fight the other. The service is friendly, and you’re made to feel welcome from the outset. The food is of a high standard, and despite being pub food, is immensely satisfying.
The rooms are spacious, well appointed, and again, mix the old with the new very effectively. The bed was comfortable, the bath luxurious and the rest was more than adequate. For those who like something a little different, and don’t mind being a little walk from everywhere, the Fox and Anchor is the ideal destination.
The Bill: £95 per night
