The 17th century Anchor Inn is an established award winning riverside inn full of charm and character. Concentrating on fine, locally fresh yet unpretentious food and serving quality local beer as well as a superb wine list, the Anchor is an example of what is good about the independent modern British gastropub.

Should you fancy a longer stay they have four guest bedrooms, described by Paddy Burt in her Daily Telegraph column as'...a little bit of heaven anchored in Fenland'. Those living in the Fens will know exactly what she means.

Sensibly, a word that often comes to mind when looking at the Anchor Inn, they have one à la carte menu for dinner every day except on Sunday during December, when it is replaced by a special celebratory version. At other times an excellent lunch, two courses for £12.95, three for £16.95 is on offer.

A nice touch is provided by the pre-meal arrangements, enabling the menu to be considered over a glass of champagne or a glass of Barbadillo Manzanilla extra dry sherry, with a bowl of olives and roast cashews or sea salt and Balsamic crisps.

Dishes on offer could range from starters like chicken liver pâté with red onion marmalade and melba toast; grilled dates wrapped in bacon in a mild grain mustard cream sauce, or warm cranberry and brie filo parcel.

The same inspired approach persists into the choice of main courses, with pan-fried free range chicken breast on forestière potatoes and herb pesto. Ballotine of pheasant and Parma ham with chestnut stuffing, roasted new potatoes, winter greens and red wine jus carries with it a blend of flavours that brings the taste buds smartly to attention. Pan-fried sea bass is always popular, served here on chilli, herb and horseradish linguine with steamed pak choi.

From a list of five desserts the double chocolate brownie with Mandarin ice-cream stands supreme, or there's vanilla cheesecake with black cherry compote. For many, a well kept cheeseboard is an essential and here the selection of unusual British farmhouse cheeses does not disappoint.

This is a great spot for Sunday lunch when the menu might contain starters of seared king scallops on pea puree and baby fondant potatoes with crispy bacon and lemon dressing; mozzarella and tomato salad with fresh basil pesto, roast sirloin of Ouse Wash beef with full accompaniments, or fillet of sea trout on a bed of sautéed new potatoes, creamed leeks and broad beans with sauce vierge. Denham Estate venison steak also makes an appearance.

For dessert many folk would need a lot of persuasion not to opt for the raspberry and amaretti terrine with crème fraîche. With serving hours now extended to 2.30pm there is simply no excuse for not taking the family out for a real treat.

A well varied and comfortably priced wine list, with some 60 choices, well described and helpfully categorised; is in keeping with this well-run yet relaxed and friendly place. Due attention is paid to the needs of those who wish to confine their drinking to by-the-glass.

Menu variations follow the seasons and the markets, and a quick click on their attractive Website will keep you up to scratch.