Few believed such stories until renovation works some years ago revealed a pistol hidden in the rafters bearing the chilling inscription ‘Dick’s Friend’. What we can say for sure is that, with the world famous Shepperton Studios just around the corner, many world famous actors and musicians have stayed, dined or just popped in for a drink. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor were regular visitors
in the 1960s and it was here that one of the most famous love stories of the 20th Century blossomed. Originally a coaching inn, the Anchor has stood on its present site for over 400 years. The original Anchor Inn dated back to the 16th Century and was a timber framed building. This original building was replaced in the 1800s with the brick built building that you see today. However some of the panelling, which is such a feature of the ground floor, probably came from the original building. The intricate panelling that can be seen in the Disraeli Room came from the former residence of Queen Victoria’s favourite Prime Minister, Benjamin Disraeli, and must be one of the first examples of recycling. As you walk around the Hotel take time to enjoy the history of the place. If these ancient walls could talk we have little doubt that they would tell a very colourful tale.
