From Village Pub to Michelin Table
The Anchor occupies a 16th-century building on Ripley’s High Street and has quietly become a serious dining pub. It was originally established by Steve Drake, the Michelin-starred chef behind Sorrel in Dorking, who saw in it the potential for relaxed fine dining in a characterful village setting. When Drake decided to focus his energies on Sorrel, he handed The Anchor to his protégés Mike Wall-Palmer and Dave Adams, who purchased the pub and have since built on its reputation.
The results speak for themselves. The Anchor holds a listing in the Michelin Guide, two AA Rosettes, and is the only pub in Surrey to feature consecutively in the Good Food Guide. It manages the rare trick of feeling like a proper pub while serving food of genuine distinction.
The Food
Wall-Palmer’s cooking is modern British and unashamedly seasonal: menus change frequently to reflect what’s available from trusted local suppliers. The approach is technical but unfussy, letting natural flavours speak. The seasonal tasting menu offers the most complete picture of the kitchen’s range, while the à la carte and set lunch provide more accessible entry points. A carefully chosen wine list complements the food, and the bar serves real ales for those who simply want a pint.
Private dining is available for smaller groups, and in warmer months a courtyard garden provides an appealing alternative to the beamed interior.
Ripley Village and Surrounds
Ripley is one of those Surrey villages that punches well above its weight. The compact High Street is lined with period buildings, independent shops, and a handful of good places to eat, and the village has long held a quiet reputation among food lovers. It sits on the old Portsmouth road between Cobham and Guildford, with easy access to the A3 and M25.
RHS Garden Wisley, the Royal Horticultural Society’s flagship garden, lies just a mile to the north. Ockham Common and the Lovelace Bridges offer pleasant woodland walking, while Pyrford Lock on the River Wey Navigation provides flat towpath routes. For families, the area falls within the catchment of several well-regarded schools, and Cobham’s wider amenities are a short drive away.
The combination of village character, proximity to major road links, and a genuinely exceptional dining scene makes Ripley an increasingly sought-after address in the borough of Guildford.
