Tucked away in the peaceful village of Oldbury on Severn, The Anchor Inn is a traditional countryside pub that instantly makes you want to stay a little longer. With cosy old-world interiors, a huge beer garden, with the River Severn across the road, and genuinely superb food, it’s easy to see why this pub is loved by locals and visitors.
This blog post may include affiliate links. If you buy or sign up for something through this site, I’ll earn a small commission, but it won’t cost you anything extra.
Table of Contents
Pubs near Thornbury
If you’re searching for country pubs around Bristol that actually feel rural and full of character, The Anchor Inn absolutely delivers. The pub itself is beautifully traditional, with dark wood interiors, old fireplaces and all the charm you’d hope for from a countryside pub.
There’s something incredibly comforting about stumbling across a proper old-school country pub – with locals chatting over pints, dogs snoozing under tables and a beer garden that practically demands you stay for another drink. That’s exactly what we found during our afternoon at The Anchor Inn in Oldbury on Severn.
Tucked away in the peaceful rural countryside of South Gloucestershire, this gorgeous traditional pub feels like stepping back in time in the best possible way. We visited on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation and were lucky enough to grab a table in the cosy bar area. It was quiet, with a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.
Pubs on the River Severn
One of the best things about visiting The Anchor Inn is its location. Oldbury on Severn is one of those quiet villages you probably wouldn’t stumble upon unless you were looking for it – and that’s exactly what makes it special. Sitting close to the River Severn, it feels miles away from busy city life, despite being easily reachable from Bristol and Thornbury. It’s a great stop if you’re walking the Severn Way or the Oldbury Outing Circular.
After lunch, we explored the village itself and wandered up to St Arilda’s Church, which honestly has one of the best views I’ve seen in ages. From there, you can see the River Severn stretching out below, the Old Severn Bridge and even across to South Wales.
The Anchor Inn Menu
The quality of the food here genuinely surprised us. Pub food sounds fairly standard on paper, but then it arrives tasting far better than expected. That was exactly the case here.
I went for the Sticky Piri Piri Glazed Chicken Breast, served with Caesar salad, croutons and (lots of ) parmesan. The chicken was beautifully cooked – juicy in the middle with a sticky, smoky glaze that packed just enough heat without overpowering everything else. The Caesar salad still had crisp lettuce, so it hadn’t been sitting in the sauce for long. At £15.95, it felt like really good value considering it was a salad.
The Fish Pie was equally impressive. Packed with cod, pollock, salmon and prawns in a rich cream, white wine and parsley sauce, it arrived bubbling hot beneath a thick layer of cheesy mashed potato. Comfort food at its absolute best. It was creamy without feeling too heavy, with loads of fish throughout rather than just sauce and potato pretending to be a fish pie. At £17.95, you could tell real care had gone into it.
We also shared the Cheesy Garlic Bread, which was exactly what you want from a pub side dish — crispy edges, loads of melted cheese and proper garlic flavour.
While we didn’t try them ourselves, other reviewers rave about the Sunday roasts, the steak and ale pie, and the butcher sausages, which definitely make me want to return.
Beer Garden
Outside, there’s an extremely large, scenic beer garden that stretches across the side and rear of the traditional stone pub. There are plenty of picnic-style tables, some of which are in shaded areas. The garden is well cared for with floral borders, window boxes and hanging baskets.
Also, a dedicated petanque piste, a playing area for French boules. A game played by throwing or rolling boules closer to a target ball. When we visited, there was a gent looking to start a regular league.
Dogs and Children
Dogs are welcome in the bar area and outside spaces (not the restaurant), which always earns bonus points from me. It is the smaller side of the pub, with limited seating.
Just worth noting that, children are welcome in the bright dining room and the massive outdoor garden, while the traditional public bar side is kept strictly for adults only. There are highchairs and changing facilities, and often free colouring packs.
Get 50% Off Food
If you love food and drink, do you have a Tastecard? It’s a membership card that offers 25% off the food bill or 2-for-1 meals for the price of one at over six thousand participating restaurants across the UK. It’s a great way to save money and enjoy a variety of dining experiences. Get a 60-day free trial here:
Stay The Night
The Anchor Inn, one of the pubs in Oldbury, also has rooms available if you fancy turning your visit into an overnight stay. The rooms are praised for being spacious and exceptionally clean, with thoughtful extras such as a coffee pod machine and a fridge.
Breakfast is continental-style in your room, perfect for a relaxed countryside morning. Guests are provided with tea and coffee, orange juice, cereals including homemade muesli, yoghurt, toast with a selection of jams and bottled water in the room.
Considering the peaceful village setting and beautiful surroundings, it would make a lovely base for exploring more of South Gloucestershire and the River Severn area.
Bedrooms are not dog-friendly.
Daily Collagen Sachets
One thing I love taking away with me is my Ancient + Brave collagen supplement. Their travel sachets made it so easy to maintain my daily routine without carrying huge tubs in my luggage. They’re perfect for holidays and weekends away – just pop a sachet into your bag and add to your morning coffee or water bottle.
Anchor Inn Oldbury On Severn Address
The Anchor Inn, Church Road, Oldbury-on-Severn, Bristol BS35 1QA
What Three Words: ///butlers.blows.snippet
Anchor Inn Oldbury On Severn Parking
There’s a handful of parking spaces outside the pub. Across the road is an overflow car park. The village is small, and there’s free on-street parking. On busy days, you may need to park further away and walk.
Anchor Inn Oldbury On Severn Opening Times
The pub is open seven days a week.
- Monday – Thursday: 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 10:00pm
- Friday – Sunday: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
Food Service Times
- Monday – Friday: 12:00pm – 2:00pm, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- Saturday: 12:00pm – 2:30pm, 5:30pm – 8:30pm
- Sunday: 12:00pm – 3:00pm, 5:30pm – 8:00pm
Accessibility
Those with mobility issues should note that this is a traditional village pub, so access may vary depending on where you are seated. Outdoor seating is easier to access on sunny days. Some indoor areas have tighter spaces and uneven flooring, typical of older pubs. There is an accessible toilet.
If you have specific accessibility requirements, it’s best to contact the staff before your visit.
Make A Booking
Because the pub is popular with walkers, locals and visitors exploring the local area, booking ahead is a good idea on weekends, in sunny weather and during holidays.
To make a booking, call 01454 413331.
Follow Them on Social Media
Want to drool over your phone screen or want further Anchor Inn Oldbury On Severn Reviews? Follow them for menu updates, food offers, photos, videos, and behind-the-scenes bites on TripAdvisor | Facebook | Instagram.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who owns The Anchor Inn Oldbury On Severn?
The Anchor Inn in Oldbury-on-Severn is a privately run freehouse owned and operated by Mark Sorrell, who serves as the resident director and landlord alongside his family.
Where is Oldbury On Severn?
Oldbury on Severn is a peaceful rural village in South Gloucestershire, close to Thornbury, around 30 minutes from Bristol, and 55 minutes from Cardiff. Sitting near the banks of the River Severn, the village is known for its countryside setting, riverside walks and views across to South Wales and the Severn bridges.
What are some of the best country pubs near Bristol?
There are plenty of brilliant country pubs near Bristol, especially if you love traditional interiors, beer gardens and hearty pub food. The Anchor Inn in Oldbury on Severn is one of the most popular thanks to its cosy atmosphere, large gardens and riverside village location. Other highly-rated countryside pubs are The Druid’s Arms, near the ancient Stanton Drew Stone Circles, The Crown Inn Churchill, famous for their giant Ploughman’s platters, The Carpenters Arms, which has been converted from miners’ cottages and is now a high-end gastro pub, and The Ring O’ Bells in Compton Martin, a village listed in the Domesday Book.
What’s the Oldbury on Severn history?
Oldbury on Severn has a fascinating history dating back to the Iron Age and Roman times. The village is home to the remains of Oldbury Camp, an Iron Age hill fort, while St Arilda’s Church is dedicated to a local saint believed to date back to the fourth or fifth century. Historically, the village developed around the River Severn and still retains much of its traditional countryside character today.
Oldbury on Severn things to do?
Despite being a small village, there’s plenty to enjoy in Oldbury on Severn. Visitors can walk along the River Severn, explore St Arilda’s Church for panoramic river views, enjoy food and drinks at The Anchor Inn, or head out on countryside walks around the surrounding farmland. The area is also popular for sailing, birdwatching and relaxed afternoons exploring the countryside.
There’s also the Oldbury on Severn beach. It’s not a traditional sandy beach. Instead, it features a rugged, tidal shoreline of vast mudflats, salt marshes, and dramatic estuarine landscapes along the River Severn. It is a tranquil, lesser-known spot popular for wildlife, birdwatching, walking, and views across to Wales.
Don’t Miss Out – Subscribe to my Monthly Newsletter
Want to be the first to read my latest blog posts? If you have enjoyed reading about The Anchor Inn Oldbury on Severn, you can stay updated with my other travel features by signing up for my mailing list:
Related Articles
- Aerospace Bristol Review
- Holiday Inn Bristol Filton Review
- What to See and Do at Blaise Estate in Bristol
- Experience Turkish Flavour at Cappadocia Bristol
