Our History

The Anchor has stood at the heart of Jericho’s canal-side community for well over two centuries, with a story deeply rooted in Oxford’s industrial and social past. Originally known as Heyfield’s Hutt, the site was run by Mr. Heyfield until his death in 1778, after which it became Dolley’s Hut, named after landlord William Dolley. When the Oxford Canal reached this part of the city in 1789, a coal wharf was opened beside the hut to serve the growing canal trade.

By 1796, The Anchor Inn was officially established on the site to cater to canal boatmen and workers at the then-terminus of the Oxford Canal. As Oxford grew, so too did the area around the pub. Hayfield Road, where The Anchor is located, was developed in the late 1880s as part of St John’s College’s North Oxford estate, with smaller terraced houses designed by architect Harry Wilkinson Moore to accommodate working families.

Over the centuries, The Anchor has undergone numerous changes—through name changes, rebuilds, and renovations—yet has remained a constant local presence. The current building was rebuilt in 1937, and in more recent years, it has been lovingly updated to reflect both its heritage and its role as a vibrant modern venue. The pub even made a TV appearance, featuring in the Inspector Morse episode Death is Now My Neighbour.

Today, The Anchor blends historic charm with contemporary hospitality, continuing to welcome locals and visitors alike at the corner of Hayfield Road and Polstead Road.