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Submitted on Monday, 13^th April 2009
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The Nell Gwynne, Southsea

70 Jessie Road
Southsea
PO4 0EN

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Served areas

Southsea Town

Reviews of The Nell Gwynne (Average Rating: 6½ of 10) Add Review see review guidelines

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Moby Duck left this review about The Nell Gwynne

A good looking Victorian corner pub still as described from several years ago with the exception that the four handpumps had no ale on at all leaving a basic keg range so not likely to be back anytime soon.

On 18^th September 2022 - rating: 5
[User has posted 2151 recommendations about 2118 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

E TA left this review about The Nell Gwynne

Very comprehensively described by MM, below, this Victorian backstreet local is welcoming, convivial and relaxing. I wasn't quite sure why the walls around the pool table were padded, the possibilities that occurred ranged from secondary use as a bdsm play room to a lack of sanity among the regulars. I found staff and locals alike friendly, though the jukebox was quite annoying. Two ales on draft, Upham First drop and Doombar, both in very good condition. A good traditional local and very useful addition to a crawl.

On 29^th June 2017 - rating: 7
[User has posted 3516 recommendations about 3480 pubs]

Please Note: This review is over a year old.

Malden man left this review about The Nell Gwynne

A striking external appearance, especially for a backstreet pub, the original Brickwoods brewery signage remains intact and the pub features a corner tower complete with a witches hat roof, apparently a trademark of the local Architect. Once inside there is an L-shaped space with the bar returning along part of the shorter side, wooden boarded flooring, lower blue painted wainscoted walls and a red ceiling, some exposed brickwork. The far end has a pool table and serviceable dartboard, the table wasn’t in use on Thursday evening as a band were setting up in that area, the pub has frequent live music. There is a juke box and TVs with Sky Sports. Seating is traditional, banquettes around the external walls, small stools at a mixture of Britannia tables and rectangular ones versioned from former treddle Singer sowing machines. Some of the etched Brickwood’s windows remain however some have been garishly replaced with Coors and Carling branded versions.
Several handpulled beers are available although two pumps were reverse clipped during my visit, Oakleaf Quercus Folium, Doom Bar, Long Man American Pale Ale (£3.70), plus a plethora of ciders and perries to please any apple or pear head, five on handpump from Weston’s, Lilley and one other and another fifteen boxes racked up on shelves behind the bar. Please note the real beer and ciders are located at the end of the bar away from the long side section.
The pub appeared to be dog friendly, an agreeable and excited little mutt was trotting around the place.
My research indicates that this pub has experienced a massive turnaround with the current incumbents, there is clearly a dedication to making a good clean welcoming house for locals and visitors alike with a decent ale and serious cider selection at the forefront together with live music nights and laudable charity events such as the current one for a children’s hospital. The pub seems to open at 2pm in the week, sadly I arrived at about 1:30 however having tried the door and found it locked the barman, possibly manager popped out and told me of the hours. Fortunately I returned later to find another great backstreet Southsea pub. The same bloke also remembered me and stopped by for a chat whereby I took the opportunity to plug PuG. He seemed to be genuinely interested.
Well worth a visit if in the area and a decent crawl can be had locally including The Leopold, Northcote Hotel, Golden Eagle and The Sir Loin of Beef amongst others. An easy walk from Fratton station or Albert Rd bus stops.

On 24^th November 2013 - rating: 8
[User has posted 1710 recommendations about 1683 pubs]

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