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The Lord Nelson, SE1

386 Old Kent Road
SE1
SE1 5AA
Phone: 02077018510

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Reviews (Current Rating Average: 4 of 10) Add Review see review guidelines


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 1956 recommendations about 1923 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 2709 recommendations about 2709 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Just a quick pint, then I'm off left this review about The Lord Nelson

One of the few 'proper boozers' left on the Old Kent Road, but this one retains several points of interest that earn its place on Camra's national inventory of historic pub interiors. There remain two picture mirrors and a substantial gantry over what must have been the original servery, but this was extended at some stage to leave one of the oddest-shaped counters in the country. A pool table can also be found through an arch in the back room. No real ale, unfortunately, so John Smith's (£3.70) it was, with a packet of Taylor crisps to soften the blow.

On 4th August 2021 - rating: 5
[User has posted 8066 recommendations about 8066 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


custodian 42 left this review about The Lord Nelson

Standard corner pub with the bar facing as you walk in. Only keg offerings. Nothing special at all.

On 16th October 2019 - rating: 3
[User has posted 1693 recommendations about 1691 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Komakino . left this review about The Lord Nelson

Little change from Rex's thorough review below, including the cash-only edict, during an era when bar staff in certain pubs and bars in certain areas automatically reach for the card terminal before you've declared your method of payment. Some fascinating Victorian features which have been retained, and the bar area is now a curious horsehead-shape, with what should be an island bar joined to a straighter bit which runs against the rear wall (the entrance is off the Old Kent Road). No real ale, this was busy, with most punters surrounding the main island-type bar. A vivacious Irish barlady (landlady?) was holding court and asked me how I was which was a nice touch before separating me from £3.90 for a pint of Kronenbourg. Flatter than a Buck's Fizz record, I asked for assistance (was the glass dirty? - "My glasses are never dirty!" was the good-natured response) I got a pour of the existing liquid into an alternate glass - with the same flat eventuality. The place was busy with non-ale drinkers, so can you knock them for playing to their strengths? No, but it does seem a shame to see a Heritage pub kind of go to waste, albeit they've done little to make any changes for many a year (which is to be applauded). A "4" for the retention of the decor more than anything else.

On 25th September 2018 - rating: 4
[User has posted 1074 recommendations about 1074 pubs]


Please Note: This review is over a year old.


Rex Rattus left this review about The Lord Nelson

They had no real on, nor were there any handpumps indicating the possibility of finding it on at some other time. There were just the usual lagers, plus keg John Smith’s. I didn’t see any menus or any sign of food being available.
They’ve managed to retain the majority of their superb original Victorian features, including back painted mirrors, etched and cut glass, superb mahogany bar back, and cast iron pillars. Unfortunately all the best features seem to be obscured by clutter – flags of St George, boxes of crisps, handwritten notices to the effect that cash only is accepted, etc. There was also other clutter about the place such as large speaker stands, and a large cardboard box that a flatscreen TV had come in. Magic FM was blaring out, and there were games machines and one-armed bandits all over the place. In fact I’m struggling to find anything good to say about the place. It gets one star for the ancient, if uncared for, Victoriana; 1 star for being there; and a third for someone bothering to open the doors. However, as one of the few remaining pubs on the Old Kent Road I suppose I am glad that it’s still there, but I really wish someone would expend some TLC on the place.

On 18th June 2010 - rating: 3
[User has posted 2606 recommendations about 2520 pubs]