What’s in a name? The surprising back story of hope and romance in Carshalton. Something to cheer us on these darkening days…

The Hope and Anchor is a popular pub name across the UK. It has biblical origins and comes from the Letter to the Hebrews (Hebrews 6:19), which states: “We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope.”

Sometimes the name was shortened to just ‘The Hope’ to offer a dash of positivity to a community.

Hanging baskets in 2026 © Secret Carshalton

Although Admiral Lord Nelson is said to have visited West Street in Carshalton, the Hope didn’t always have an old ship on its sign.

As of 1871 the sign was most likely typographical, and by 1965 romance was in the air.

The Hope between 1965 and 1975 based on an original photo courtesy of Roger Molyneux

For the pub sign depicted a man on one knee proposing ‘hoping’ for a hand in marriage.

As far as we know the sign had been replaced by 1975, and as of at least the 1990’s had a ship sign – though dates are not clear at this point.

We’ll never know the exact original reasons for the name, The Hope, but it’s an interesting slice of Carshalton pub history.