The Anchor Inn — Restaurant in England

We booked 2 nights at the Anchor Inn, to provide accommodation while we cycled round the IOW circuit.|When we arrived to check in, I asked if there was anywhere our bikes could be stored safely overnight. Mark promptly, and emphatically said “No”.| I suggested maybe the yard at the back?.... “No, it would obstruct the bin men”|I suggested the corridor/ an alcove somewhere…… “No, it would obstruct a fire escape”|In fact everything I suggested was met with an unconditional “No”|He went on to say, he didn’t know where the nearest bike rack was, (as if leaving our bikes outside in the street overnight was an acceptable option)|Eventually, it was left to a customer at the bar to suggest the council run “Cycle Hub” outside the Red Jet terminal. Open access 24hrs, but covered by CCTV. It looked like our only option. We were glad to find our bikes still there and intact on both mornings, but it led to some anxious moments.|The girl who was also on bar duty that afternoon (sorry, no name), who showed us to our room was more helpful, and forthcoming, explaining that they used to take bikes, but not now|After we’d become familiar with the layout, it became clear that there was ample capacity to store two bikes in a recess in the accommodation access corridor, without impeding passage of persons. The following morning the recess was full of bags of laundry, stuffed into the recess plus a hoover…….. So bags of laundry don’t block the fire escape, but bikes would? …… how does that work?|Further observations suggested numerous other solutions|It seems to me that the no bike policy was a case of convenience trumping a willingness to try to accommodate customers needs. We have travelled extensively with our bikes, and this is the first time we have been unable to secure safe overnight storage|While I am on it…………|Two, maybe three rooms (Plymouth, Biscay, maybe Thames) overlook the pedestrian precinct. I thought it might be noisy with late night revellers……. Not so……… but at 6.00 am on both days, the Sainsbury van arrived to resupply the Sainsbury’s store with goods, a few door up across the way, and to remove waste packaging, so we were treated to 45 min of the clash of metal on metal, clatter of metal on brick, the squeal of trolley wheels, and the whirr of the tail-lift. On the second morning, Poundland joined in when their lorry arrived to discharge 6 monster pallets of delight for the store a few doors down the other way|…. So……|It didn’t bother us, we are early risers, but if you like to sleep beyond 6.00 am, maybe this is not for you|Would I stay there again, probably no, certainly not while the forementioned jobsworth is part...

We booked 2 nights at the Anchor Inn, to provide accommodation while we cycled round the IOW circuit.|When we arrived to check in, I asked if there was anywhere our bikes could be stored safely overnight. Mark promptly, and emphatically said “No”.| I suggested maybe the yard at the back?.... “No, it would obstruct the bin men”|I suggested the corridor/ an alcove somewhere…… “No, it would obstruct a fire escape”|In fact everything I suggested was met with an unconditional “No”|He went on to say, he didn’t know where the nearest bike rack was, (as if leaving our bikes outside in the street overnight was an acceptable option)|Eventually, it was left to a customer at the bar to suggest the council run “Cycle Hub” outside the Red Jet terminal. Open access 24hrs, but covered by CCTV. It looked like our only option. We were glad to find our bikes still there and intact on both mornings, but it led to some anxious moments.|The girl who was also on bar duty that afternoon (sorry, no name), who showed us to our room was more helpful, and forthcoming, explaining that they used to take bikes, but not now|After we’d become familiar with the layout, it became clear that there was ample capacity to store two bikes in a recess in the accommodation access corridor, without impeding passage of persons. The following morning the recess was full of bags of laundry, stuffed into the recess plus a hoover…….. So bags of laundry don’t block the fire escape, but bikes would? …… how does that work?|Further observations suggested numerous other solutions|It seems to me that the no bike policy was a case of convenience trumping a willingness to try to accommodate customers needs. We have travelled extensively with our bikes, and this is the first time we have been unable to secure safe overnight storage|While I am on it…………|Two, maybe three rooms (Plymouth, Biscay, maybe Thames) overlook the pedestrian precinct. I thought it might be noisy with late night revellers……. Not so……… but at 6.00 am on both days, the Sainsbury van arrived to resupply the Sainsbury’s store with goods, a few door up across the way, and to remove waste packaging, so we were treated to 45 min of the clash of metal on metal, clatter of metal on brick, the squeal of trolley wheels, and the whirr of the tail-lift. On the second morning, Poundland joined in when their lorry arrived to discharge 6 monster pallets of delight for the store a few doors down the other way|…. So……|It didn’t bother us, we are early risers, but if you like to sleep beyond 6.00 am, maybe this is not for you|Would I stay there again, probably no, certainly not while the forementioned jobsworth is part...

We cannot stress how amazing the staff wer at the anchor inn besides the fact the room was lovely and the beer on point also

Whilst staying my partner had a serious medical emergency where paremedics were needed to be called The bar man at the time (Will) called the ambulance stayed later than was needed to make sure the paramedics could gain access and helped massively in calming me down My girlfriend was ok in the end but we had to cut our stay short to get her to hospital on the mainland The next morning we got a follow up call from Alex who offered to refund the money from the stay I cannot stress how incredibly greatful for the compassion and emptahy they showed us during our stay in what was a very scary night for all involved

This has restored some faith in humanity massively and bought tears to my eyes and left us both very humbled

So thankyou to Will and Alex and to everyone else who helped us over the course our stay

We wont forget you guys in a...