The Nelson Arms, Merton, SW19

The excellent Charrington's external signage and tiling, including tiled murals depicting the eponymous Lord and Admiral, as well as HMS Victory, his flagship at Trafalgar, are all thankfully still in place. Nelson loved Merton - his home was just down the road roughly where the High Path estate sits today - and his name is commemorated in many ways, including names of pubs, in the borough of Merton. But inside the pub's very ordinary, with a couple of tall tables/tall stools and ordinary tables and chairs around the edges. There's little decor worth mentioning, excepting perhaps the "pop art" stylised depictions of the Admiral's head on one of the walls. However, there is a pool table and a dartboard. There was just the one ale on - Doom Bar, which was in very poor condition. I didn't see any sign of food on menus on Tuesday evening. I popped in here because I had 20 minutes or so to fill, but I don't plan to visit again. What a shame that a pub with such a striking and magnificent exterior has fallen so low.

Official site of The Nelson Arms - www.thenelson.co.uk

Official site of The Nelson Arms - www.thenelson.co.uk

There was a league dart match going on in here when I visited mid week before Christmas so there was a lively atmosphere which probably isn’t always present, but I enjoyed it. A laptop was hooked up to one of the plasma screens which was showing the scores and players averages which I’ve never seen before. It was good to see a dartboard as a feature slap bang in the middle of the pub rather than being shoved in the corner. Two Hobgoblin ales were available along with Greene King IPA and a standard draught selection. My Guinness was on good form and the barman seemed friendly enough. I wouldn’t go out of my way to drink here again, but I’m sure there is a good crowd when the football is on.