A relaxed riverside country pub with unusually attractive Severn views, generous-value traditional food and friendly hospitality, but book ahead and expect occasional menu availability or consistency issues.
The Anchor Inn in Epney draws diners with riverside Severn views and a traditional pub character, where generous hot mains and Sunday roasts satisfy most visits. Food quality is good rather than exceptional, and uneven execution during busy periods, along with restricted menu availability, keeps it from grade A territory. Its friendly service and loyal following make it a reliable, if not consistently polished, choice for a relaxed meal.
The Anchor Inn is a proper rural riverside pub: low-key, friendly and blessed with a garden that looks straight over the River Severn. Diners repeatedly describe the welcome as warm, the real ale as well kept and the outlook as the main event; one reviewer essentially suggested the pictures of the river tell the whole story. It is an especially appealing stop after a walk, bike ride or simply when the weather is showing off. The cooking is traditional, generous and deliberately unflashy: roasts, fish, pies, grills, baskets, jacket potatoes and familiar puddings rather than chef theatrics. Reviews are strongest on value, portion size and repeat-visit reliability, with whitebait, Sunday lunch, pie nights and jacket potatoes attracting particular praise. A few diners report restricted menus, bland basket food or overcooked fish, so the kitchen can be less dependable when busy or operating under constraints. Families should find plenty to work with: the menu includes burgers, chicken strips, sausage, pizza, chips, ice cream and simple jacket potatoes, while reviews mention outdoor green space for children. Vegetarian and vegan choices are unusually broad for a traditional pub, although some meat-free specials lack current prices. Book ahead for Sunday lunch, and note that part of the old building has a very low roof for taller guests.
Area vibe: Quiet rural area of villages, farmland and riverfront inns.
Safety: Generally safe but remote with limited street lighting and sparse evening foot traffic.
What's nearby: Near the River Severn, small villages, Gloucester and Stroud within driving distance, walking routes and country lanes.
Start with whitebait or a roast, then leave room for a traditional pudding, but the kitchen can be less consistent during pressured service.
Plan around busy Sunday services and the low roof, while keeping in mind that menu availability and preparation can vary.
The main draw is a spacious River Severn garden that shifts the pub from ordinary country inn to scenic outdoor stop.