Quick info
About Blue Anchor Inn
The Blue Anchor Inn is a thatched stone pub in Barry, on East Aberthaw, with parts of the building dating from the 1380s. Original timber beams and an inglenook fireplace run through a warren of little connected rooms, joined in one spot by a short passage through a very thick stone wall. The building has a history tied to local smugglers. The bar pours real ales, and the kitchen cooks homemade food. A restaurant with its own seating sits upstairs, which gives diners a separate space from the bar rooms below. A large car park sits opposite the pub.
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Reviews
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, historic stone rooms, roaring fireplace and roast lamb.
What reviewers say
Reviewers most often mention sunday roast, historic stone rooms, roaring fireplace and roast lamb.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with the Sunday Roast the specific named most, alongside roasted potatoes, vegetables, lamb and a creme brulee that one diner praised. Several describe gastro-pub classics made with fresh, local ingredients. Close behind is the building itself, a warren of dark connecting rooms with original timber beams, a roaring fireplace and a short passage through a very thick stone wall, which reviewers tie to its 1380s origins and smuggling history. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and helpful, and one family says they were fitted in at short notice for Sunday lunch. Outside seating in a side courtyard and a large car park opposite also get mentions. The one criticism comes from a reviewer who found the food a bit bland, though salt and pepper on the table let them adjust it, and who put slower service down to a coach party arriving. One reviewer noted a busy Saturday evening and recommended reservations. Another said staff looked after a sick brother with real kindness during a pre-flight meal.
Customer Review Summary
Reviewers most often single out the food, with the Sunday Roast the specific named most, alongside roasted potatoes, vegetables, lamb and a creme brulee that one diner praised. Several describe gastro-pub classics made with fresh, local ingredients. Close behind is the building itself, a warren of dark connecting rooms with original timber beams, a roaring fireplace and a short passage through a very thick stone wall, which reviewers tie to its 1380s origins and smuggling history. Staff are repeatedly called friendly and helpful, and one family says they were fitted in at short notice for Sunday lunch. Outside seating in a side courtyard and a large car park opposite also get mentions. The one criticism comes from a reviewer who found the food a bit bland, though salt and pepper on the table let them adjust it, and who put slower service down to a coach party arriving. One reviewer noted a busy Saturday evening and recommended reservations. Another said staff looked after a sick brother with real kindness during a pre-flight meal.
Featured reviews
- Gareth Hopkins
“Excellent restaurant-quality food and drink. The staff were super friendly too. Big car park. This place is a real gem, so if you're in the area definitely go.”
- Lara Thomas
“Went today for last-minute Sunday lunch with family. They were able to fit us in on short notice with no problem at all. The food and service was outstanding, also a lovely, pretty pub inside and out. Will most definitely be back!”
- Bonnie Mallory
“This is a must see. The restaurant had the best food I have had in quite some time. The potatoes were roasted to perfection. The vegetables were VERY good and the flavors were wonderful. Had the lamb and it was elegantly presented. Dessert was creme brulee was very nice. The historic rooms are a must see and are from 1380s. I would go out of your way to make this stop!”
- artful dodger
“Absolutely beauty location steeped in history. Food was nice maybe a bit in the bland side but there is salt and pepper on the table so you can adjust 2 your liking. Bar staff were very friendly. I cannot be too critical on the over all service. I believe a coach turned up and they were very busy. Defo worth stopping for a pint and maybe a lunch when not so busy”
- Stacy Lamb
“What an absolutely wonderful pub, with the kindest staff there could be. We had a marvellous meal at the Blue Anchor last night, with kind, attentive staff. When my brother fell a little unwell they could not have been more kind and helpful. They truly ensured we were taken care of and couldn’t have been any more helpful. Thank you so much, and I would say to anyone perhaps going to Cardiff Airport this summer, this is the place to pop in to have your pre-flight meal, it’s fabulous.”
Hours
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Wednesday
- Thursday
- Friday
- Saturday
- Sunday
Good to know
“Old-world beamed pub built in 1380 with an inglenook, serving well kept real ales and homemade food.”
- AccessibilityWheelchair-accessible car park · Wheelchair-accessible entrance · Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Amenities
- Wheelchair-accessible car park
Show more amenities
- Accessibility· 2
- Wheelchair-accessible entrance
- Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Location
Bars near Blue Anchor Inn
- The Highwayman Inn4.61,7921.5 mi£20–30ReservationsGood for kids
huge portion sizes, mixed grill burger, condemned meal
- Cherry Orchard4.11,7124.9 mi
americano rump steak, party buffet, pool
- Coopers Carvery4.21,8777.6 mi away£10–20ReservationsWheelchair accessibleGood for kids
carvery, roast potatoes, red cabbage and greens
| Place | Rating | Distance | Price | Mentioned in reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blue Anchor Inn | 4.71,369 | — | — | sunday roast, historic stone rooms, roaring fireplace |
| The Highwayman InnReservations · Good for kids | 4.61,792 | 1.5 mi | £20–30 | huge portion sizes, mixed grill burger, condemned meal |
| Cherry Orchard | 4.11,712 | 4.9 mi | — | americano rump steak, party buffet, pool |
| Coopers CarveryReservations · Wheelchair accessible · Good for kids | 4.21,877 | 7.6 mi away | £10–20 | carvery, roast potatoes, red cabbage and greens |
The 3 nearest bars by distance. Ratings, hours and review terms come from public business profiles.
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