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New Pub with Poohbear1863
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Image posted by Will Larter
Submitted on Saturday, 5th September 2026
With picture contributions to 13128 other pubs
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Detail Pages
The Lord Nelson, SE1
SE1
SE1 5AA
Served areas
Reviews of The Lord Nelson (Average Rating: 4 of 10) see review guidelines
Will Larter left this review about The Lord Nelson
A rather down-at-heel corner pub that at first I wasn't sure that it was open. But in fact it was quite busy, with 15 to 20 people drinking at 5pm on a Tuesday, some playing pool or machines, and all of them talking. No real ale to be had here, just national keg brands, so I had a half of Guinness (£5.60/pint). This is a three star heritage interior, the main feature being the peninsular bar counter, but there are also a fine old mirror and a picture of Horatio Nelson. Most of the woodwork on the bar canopy has been painted battleship grey, for which I believe the punishment is to be keel hauled and hanged from the yard arm. I'd be happy to carry out the sentence myself - what is the matter with these people? Apart from that it's a delightful locals pub.
On 1st September 2026
- no rating submitted
[User has posted 4910 recommendations about 4493 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Tris C left this review about The Lord Nelson
Dating from the early 19th century but rebuilt later, this pub still displays a Taylor Walker cannon motif within its arched sign. Unchanged since March, it’s a bit scruffy externally and as mentioned, is in a rather down-at-heel area, namely the Old Kent Road. However, it’s on CAMRA’s list of pubs with historic interiors, this being of Exceptional National Historic Importance; again, as mentioned, that’s over-egging the custard somewhat; either way, it’s also grade II-listed.
The interior is well described below and on CAMRA’s site, but it’s still a bit grey, the heritage elements looking good but all to an awful Heart FM (or similar) soundtrack. Furniture is fairly traditional, the floor carpeted, some nautical elements complement a giant potted palm, with young people playing pool in the rear room and perhaps dependent on the sweetie dispensing machine; a solitary older local posed no threat, most customers being outside and seemingly domesticated.
There’s no cask here, an indifferent barmaid with severely unwashed hair serving me a half of Kronenbourg (£2.20) from the majestic P-shaped bar.
This pub is worth a look for the heritage value over a swift half of lager, but that’s where the merit ends, unless you consider the use of bank cards to now be a benefit.
On 30th June 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 2344 recommendations about 2284 pubs]
Please Note: This review is over a year old.
Bucking Fastard left this review about The Lord Nelson
Corner pub on the Old Kent Road,I was drawn here by the CAMRA Historic Pub of National Importance listing which I felt was a little exaggerated.Yes there are some important features but the interior has been knocked about over the years and the features are hardly celebrated ,it's primarily a working class keg only boozer not far from those delightful folk of Millwall FC.
There are two entrance doors marked Public Bar and Saloon but the dividing partitions have long disappeared leaving a strange bar set up with a horse shoe bar to the front,then a straight bar set back quite a distance which serves two sections ,the far one past an arch being a pool and darts area.The open plan nature detracts from admittedly good bar backs and overhead gantries with the names of various libations and two magnificent etched glass mirror panes showing in some detail a Nelson's naval victory.That is certainly worth preserving.The noisy muzak from a commercial radio station is certainly not ,another error of judgement by the folk who run this pub.
It's the sort of place that when a regular walks in the pint is immediately drawn and place before him from a very mediocre choice of keg national brands.My Kronenbourg 1664 was passable and only £4.30.There is a Sky flatscreen high above a doorway,while the furniture is hardly traditional and comes in various shades of black.Bar stools are well used by blockers.
I'm sure it's popular before home games at The New Den but not suitable for away fans ,the historic listing is the only reason to visit...just.A huge missed opportunity but this part of the Old Kent Road is rough and unlikely to be touched anytime soon by gentrification.
On 5th March 2023
- rating: 4
[User has posted 3252 recommendations about 3252 pubs]
View more reviews of The Lord Nelson (7)
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- The Lord Nelson on Instagram - www.instagram.com
- CAMRA WhatPub :: The Lord Nelson - whatpub.com
- Historic Pub Interiors - pubheritage.camra.org.uk
Elephant & Castle, 1.31 miles, 25 min walk (show)
Queens Road Peckham, 1.39 miles, 26 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 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Bar Billiards : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Beer Festivals : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Beer Garden : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- CAMRA Discount : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Car Park : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Child Friendly : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Darts : Yes last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Dog Friendly : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Function Room : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Hot Food : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Jukebox : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Karaoke : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Live Music : Yes - See Instagram - last updated 01 September 2026 by Will Larter
- Live TV Sports : Yes last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Micropub : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Pinball : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Pool Table : Yes last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- Quiz Night : Yes - Varies - see Instagram - last updated 01 September 2026 by Will Larter
- Real Ale : No last updated 01 September 2026 by Will Larter
- Real Cider : No last updated 01 September 2026 by Will Larter
- Wheelchair Access : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
- WiFi : No last updated 25 September 2018 by Komakino .
