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Image posted by David Walton
Submitted on Monday, 9th February 2026
With picture contributions to 2388 other pubs
View all this pub's pictures (38 more images)
Detail Pages
The Nelson Arms, Tonbridge
Tonbridge
TN9 1UP
Served areas
Reviews of The Nelson Arms (Average Rating: 8½ of 10) see review guidelines
Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Nelson Arms
Solid-looking backstreet local, and not the sort of place you'll find by chance. Having been sold by Shepherd Neame, it was reopened in 2018 and now has a new lease of life as an Camra award-winning alehouse. The original saloon and public bars had previously been opened out to give quite a large 'L'-shaped layout, but this has been refurbished again. The furniture in the counter area and back room (also used for live music and featuring a very large sports TV screen) is still fairly simple (but tidy). You can also find Nelson's Saloon (intended for adults only) and the comfortable Trafalgar Snug on either side of the front entrance. On this visit, I found eight of ten handpumps in use, each offering a beer in a different style (priced between £5.40 and £5.60), and similarly from many of the twenty craft keg taps on the bar-back. Had Left Handed Giant x Tileys Hunters Moon, Styrian Wolf from Cerne Abbas and Walthamstow's green hopped Harvest Porter. Many boxed ciders and perries also available. Well worth a detour.
On 23rd October 2026
- rating: 9
[User has posted 9258 recommendations about 9258 pubs]
Will Larter left this review about The Nelson Arms
Sorry to have to disappoint Mr Duck, but those two extra hand pumps, ceramic with hunting scenes depicted, are purely ornamental. That's the only disappointment generated by my first visit to this iconic pub. There are eight beers on the 10 hand pumps, all but two of them selling at £3.50 per pint between 3 and 5pm. I went for Kent Brewery Five Hop, a 4.5% pale celebrating the five most popular hops in their single hop series, an Excellent beer indeed. And an excellent pub, just a shame that it's a long way from home.
On 3rd September 2026
- rating: 10
[User has posted 4937 recommendations about 4518 pubs]
Moby Duck left this review about The Nelson Arms
A quite superb backstreet pub, reasonably near to the train station but good enough to easily make you miss your train. Traditionally laid out and once again recently and ably described by Mr Walton below. I thought I counted twelve handpumps, as opposed to a reported 10 in previous reviews, with a couple of separate handles around the corner away from the main set, however either way there was plenty of cask beer available that I didn't list with just two unclipped sticks but settled for a very good pint of Kent Brewers Reserve.
Along With The Fuggles Beer Cafe This is the other not to miss pub when in Tonbridge.
On 1st March 2026
- rating: 9
[User has posted 2410 recommendations about 2373 pubs]
View more reviews of The Nelson Arms (5)
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- Official site of The Nelson Arms - thenelsonarms.com
- Facebook page of The Nelson Arms - www.facebook.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Nelson Arms - whatpub.com
Hildenborough, 2.81 miles, 54 min walk (show)
Leigh (Kent), 3.08 miles, 59 min walk (show)
Pub Details
Pub details supplied by members of this site to the best of their knowledge. Please check with pub directly before making a special trip.
- Accommodation : No last updated 01 January 2024 by paulof horsham
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 12 March 2026 by Tris C
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 12 March 2026 by Tris C
- Car Park : Yes last updated 01 January 2024 by paulof horsham
- Dog Friendly : Yes last updated 14 June 2015 by hondo .
- Hot Food : Yes last updated 01 January 2024 by paulof horsham
- Live Music : Yes last updated 01 January 2024 by paulof horsham
- Micropub : No last updated 01 January 2024 by paulof horsham
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 23 April 2012 by hondo .
- Quiz Night : Yes - Sundays, 19.00. - last updated 12 March 2026 by Tris C
- Real Ale : Yes last updated 23 April 2012 by hondo .
- Real Cider : Yes last updated 12 March 2026 by Tris C
- WiFi : Yes - Code in a board opposite the bar counter - last updated 03 September 2026 by Will Larter
