Anchor Bankside facts for kids

The Anchor Bankside pub

The Anchor Bankside is a famous pub located in London. It sits right on the south bank of the River Thames, close to important places like Southwark Cathedral and London Bridge station. This spot has been home to a pub or tavern for over 800 years! Behind the pub, there used to be buildings that were part of the Anchor Brewery.

The Anchor pub first opened as a place where people could buy and drink beer directly from the Anchor Brewery, which started in 1616. Some old travel guides have made mistakes about its history. For example, one guide said it was rebuilt in 1676 after the Great Fire of London in 1666. But the Great Fire never reached this side of the Thames! Another book says it was first built in 1770. The building was also rebuilt again in the 1800s.

People have called the Anchor Bankside "Bankside's oldest surviving tavern." This means it's the oldest pub still standing in this part of London.

History of the Anchor Bankside

A special coin, called a Token coin, made for Margaret Browne of the Anchor pub in Southwark in 1668.

Another view of the Anchor Bankside pub.

This pub is the only one left from many riverside inns that were here during William Shakespeare's time. Back then, this area was a busy center for theaters, and the River Thames was London's main road. Many actors from nearby playhouses, like the Globe, the Swan, and the Rose, would visit the Anchor.

A famous writer named Samuel Pepys watched the Great Fire of London in 1666 from this very spot. He wrote that he found safety in "a little alehouse on bankside" and watched the fire grow from there.

Another fire badly damaged the pub, which was mostly made of oak wood inside. It was rebuilt in 1676 and has had more parts added over the many years since then.

The Anchor Today

In June 2008, the Anchor Bankside had a very expensive update. Its owners at the time, Punch Taverns, spent a lot of money to make it new and modern. The pub is now owned by Greene King.

Famous Visitors

Many well-known people have visited the Anchor Bankside over the years, including:

• David Garrick (a famous actor)
• Oliver Goldsmith (a writer and doctor)
• Samuel Johnson (also known as Dr. Johnson, a famous writer)