THE ANCHOR – SOUTHWARK, UK
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? ‘The Anchor’ is a pub in the London Borough of Southwark.
Situated on the south bank of the River Thames, there has been a tavern establishment on this site ~ under many names, for over 800 years.
? ‘The Anchor’ first started life in 1616, as the “brewery tap room” for the Anchor Brewery.
The pub is now the sole survivor, of the riverside inns that existed here in Shakespeare’s time.
In Shakespeare’s time, this district was at the heart of theatreland, and the Thames was London’s principal highway.
? It was frequented by many actors from the neighbouring playhouses, including the Globe, the Swan and the Rose.
It is here, that diarist Samuel Pepys observed the Great Fire of London, in 1666.
He wrote that he took refuge in:
“a little alehouse on bankside … and there watched the fire grow”.
? Another fire was to damage the pub, whose interior was mainly constructed of oak.
It was rebuilt in 1676, and has since had additions over the centuries.
? ‘The Anchor’ became a favourite place for river pirates and smugglers.
During the course of repairs carried out in the early 19th century, the removal of a massive oak beam revealed ingeniously contrived hiding places – which were probably used for the storage of stolen goods, and contraband.
? In popular culture, ‘The Anchor’ was featured in the closing scenes of ‘Mission/Impossible’, starring Tom Cruise.
? The Anchor, Bankside, SE1
Ewan Munro.
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