BEER & CIDER AT THE NELLY
A proper pub for proper beer.
Cask ales, craft and keg beer, continental lager and real cider — carefully kept, regularly changing and served in an independent Tonbridge free house that takes its drinks seriously without taking itself too seriously.
INDEPENDENT FREE HOUSE · CASK ALE · REAL CIDER · TONBRIDGE
THE BAR
Independent means interesting.
Being a free house means the bar is not tied to one brewery or one predictable line-up. The selection changes regularly, with familiar favourites sitting alongside beers and ciders you may not have tried before.
Whether you know exactly what you want or fancy trying something different, there is usually a good reason to have a look along the pumps before deciding.
WHAT YOU’LL FIND
Something worth raising a glass to.
The exact line-up changes, which is rather the point. These are the three things you can reliably expect us to care about.
01
Cask Ale
A changing selection of well-kept cask ales across different styles, from local and independent breweries as well as established favourites.
02
Craft & Keg
Alongside the handpulls you’ll find keg beers and continental lagers, giving the bar plenty of choice beyond traditional cask.
03
Real Cider
Real cider is not an afterthought here, with Kentish producers and ciders from further afield forming a proper part of the drinks range.
THE CURRENT LINE-UP
What’s pouring today?
Because the range changes regularly, the easiest way to see what is currently on the bar is through The Nelson Arms on Untappd.
CAMRA RECOGNITION
A little pub with a rather large trophy cabinet.
Good beer and cider are at the heart of The Nelson Arms, and CAMRA judges have noticed. The Nelly has collected local, county, regional and national recognition over several consecutive years.
2026
South East Pub of the Year
Also named CAMRA Kent Pub of the Year and West Kent’s area winner, The Nelson is now one of CAMRA’s top 16 pubs in the UK in the 2026 national competition.
Pub of the Year
- West Kent branch winner, 2022–2026
- Kent (West) winner, 2023–2025
- West Kent area winner, 2026
- Kent Regional winner, 2023 & 2024
National Recognition
Selected as one of the final four pubs in CAMRA’s National Pub of the Year competition in 2023.
South East regional winner and one of the national top 16 in 2026.
Cider Awards
- West Kent branch Cider Pub of the Year, 2022–2025
- Kent (West) Cider Pub of the Year, 2023
- Kent Regional Cider Pub of the Year runner-up, 2023
Award details based on CAMRA’s published records. The 2026 national competition is still in progress.
COME AND HAVE A LOOK
The best way to choose is from the bar.
The Nelson Arms is at 19 Cromer Street, Tonbridge, a short walk from the station. Drop in, see what is pouring and find something you fancy.