The Anchor, Cambridge Travel Guide

Riverside Setting and Layout

The Anchor occupies a narrow riverside plot on the south bank of the River Cam at Silver Street Bridge. Its outdoor terrace sits directly above the water, giving clear sightlines to the Mathematical Bridge and the brick-and-timber façade of Queens’ College. Indoors the building rises over four levels: a ground-floor lobby, steps down to the split-level Riverside Bar, a higher Riverview bar focused on dining, and a second-floor function room. The terrace remains the main attraction on mild days, though its size limits capacity when punting traffic peaks.

History and Local Associations

Records date the building to 1843, when part of the site served as a mooring point for boats. The lower Riverside Bar once housed the Riverside Jazz Club; local accounts link the space to Syd Barrett and early Pink Floyd performances. In the late 1970s and 1980s the basement hosted mixed LGBTQ discos. Today the venue operates as a food-led Greene King Metropolitan pub, retaining the music history on site while serving a broader tourist and student clientele.

Food, Drink and Daily Operation

The bar stocks Greene King IPA and guest ales alongside a menu of pub classics and gastropub dishes. Food service runs shorter hours than the licence, with a weekday afternoon gap. Indoor tables can be reserved; terrace seats remain first-come. Card payment is required. Sports are screened on selected screens. The pub accepts dogs in bar areas and on the terrace but not in the restaurant section.

Visitor Flow and Practical Experience

Most visitors arrive on foot from King’s Parade or after punting departures next door. A typical stop lasts one to two hours for a drink or meal while watching river traffic. In fine weather the terrace fills early; rain or cold shifts activity indoors to rooms with fireplaces. The flat approach from the city centre makes the location straightforward, though internal stairs across multiple levels restrict full step-free access.

Access and Surroundings

Silver Street is closed to general motor traffic. Walk from the station takes about 25 minutes; buses U1 and U2 stop metres from the door. City car parks and Park & Ride services feed into the area on foot or by bus. The dense pedestrian and cycle traffic on Silver Street Bridge adds to the energetic atmosphere but also creates crowding around the terrace entrance during peak tourist hours.