The family-friendly venue is gearing up to celebrate it’s first anniversary
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14:25, 26 APR 2026
Updated14:42, 26 APR 2026
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A derelict building that was brought back to life as a pub has anchored itself within the local community as it ends its first year on a high note.
It couldn’t have been a better 12 months for The Anchor in Gunthorpe. Not only is it flourishing, the pub is one of three finalists in the National Pub & Bar Awards.
Also in the running to be crowned Nottinghamshire’s best pub are well-established venues, The Radcliffe, in Radcliffe-on-Trent, and the Four Bells Inn, in Woodborough.
The Anchor’s general manager, Jordan Hill, said: “It is massive for us. We’ve only been open a year. Being a finalist is incredible and I think it just shows how much hard work and graft has gone into making this place what it is now.
“It was an absolute eyesore. From what it was to what it is now is phenomenal and it’s still developing. It is somewhere people love to come and it shows by our numbers. Gunthorpe has welcomed us with open arms.”
What was an empty shell went through a dramatic transformation. The property, originally a pub but up until 15 years ago was an Italian restaurant, is now stylish and contemporary with a sizeable courtyard beer garden.
The whole ethos is family-friendly. Jordan said: “We are a family pub because it’s a huge market. If you’re alienating families, you’re missing out on a lot of business. We see it at weekends, it’s just families and families coming in to enjoy themselves.
“Some pubs are quite sceptical and cold when it comes to families, I think. This has been specially crafted for families to come down. It’s such a massive market, it would be stupid not to tap into it.”
The Anchor goes one better than simply having a child-friendly menu and a playground. It’s the only pub in the county, and quite possibly the whole of the Midlands, to have a miniature railway.
Kids are entertained by rides on the Anchor Express, a train which runs round the garden every weekend and seven days a week during the school holidays.
Jordan said: “At weekends, the garden is full of families because of the train and playground. The train is very popular.
“We’ve got a lovely gent called Frank, who is the dad of one of our managers who has retired and wanted something to stop him getting bored at home, so he’s the driver. He goes around a hundred times a day, but he loves it.
“Anyone who is over 18 is trained on it to help out when Frank needs a break. It’s a talking point. It brings people here. We have constant emails asking if the train is going to be running.”
Adults can kick back with bottled ales, a reasonably-priced wine, cocktails, and popular beers and cider on tap, with Guinness and Cruzcampo proving best-sellers.
Amongst the respectable range of low and no alcohol options are Guinness 0, Beavertown Lazer Crush, Old Mout ciders and a couple of gins and mocktails.
Seasonal gastro pub food is on a menu devised by head chef Andy Goodbourn, who has been in the business in Nottinghamshire for 20 years.
He said: “I follow my heart. I know what works, and because I’ve been around this area for quite a while, you know what people want.”
Crispy chicken schnitzel salad with roast garlic and yuzu dressing is super popular as is the pub’s own take on KFC — Korean Fried Chicken — which is spiced up with a gochujang and yuzu glaze and pickled pink ginger.
Fish and chip Friday is always busy and Sunday roasts of Nottinghamshire pork belly, rump of beef and chicken simply fly out. Those with the biggest appetite can indulge in the ultimate roast for £29 with all three meats.
With a garden capable of seating more than 200 and an outdoor bar, it’s a real attraction when the sun shines. Even when it rains, a new retractable roof means part of the garden is covered. It’s heated too and an addition that Jordan called a “real game changer”.
Throw in the 140in TV out there and it’s a match made in heaven for sports fans.
When it comes to live music, the bangers are next door at Tom Browns, which is also run by the same company. The Anchor adopts a more chilled approach with acoustic background tunes while diners are enjoying their Sunday roasts.
A monthly quiz takes place, and recently had a grassroots theme as villagers in Gunthorpe took on their neighbours in Caythorpe for some friendly village rivalry. Continuing the family-friendly theme, breakfasts with characters such as Mickey and Minnie Mouse are a feature.
To celebrate The Anchor’s first birthday, it’s throwing a birthday party on Saturday, May 2, from 12pm with kids entertainment including bouncy castles, an ice cream van and meet and greets with Mario and Luigi and Woody and Buzz Lightyear.
The winners of the National Pub & Bar Awards will be revealed at a ceremony in London on June 10. Finalists also include the Tap ‘n’ Run but judges have placed the Nottinghamshire-based pub in Upper Broughton in the Leicestershire region.
Check out the gallery below for a look inside The Anchor in Gunthorpe:
The Anchor (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)1 of 10ShareComments
The Anchor
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The Anchor’s courtyard (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)2 of 10ShareComments
The Anchor’s courtyard
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General manager Jordan Hill (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)3 of 10ShareComments
General manager Jordan Hill
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The pub has a modern, stylish design (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)4 of 10ShareComments
The pub has a modern, stylish design
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Dining inside the pub (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)5 of 10ShareComments
Dining inside the pub
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The dartboard corner (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)6 of 10ShareComments
The dartboard corner
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KFC – Korean Fried Chicken (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)7 of 10ShareComments
KFC – Korean Fried Chicken
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Head chef Andy Goodbourn (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)8 of 10ShareComments
Head chef Andy Goodbourn
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The 140in TV screen in the courtyard (Image: Joseph Raynor/ Reach PLC)9 of 10ShareComments
The 140in TV screen in the courtyard
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The Anchor Express miniature train 10 of 10ShareComments
The Anchor Express miniature train
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Pubs and bars in Nottingham
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