A “beautiful side street” pub has been named the best in the county for a second year running.

The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) has named The Nelson Arms in Tonbridge as its number one pub again.

It describes the Cromer Street site as a “beautifully refurbished side street local,” which serves six to eight beers across a range of styles from both national and independent brewers.

The pub, which was named the second best in the UK, also has 10 keg taps with up to 15 real ciders.

Speaking about The Nelson Arms, CAMRA said: “The pub’s spacious and comfortable interior displays a nautical theme, with decorations including a ship’s wheel, barometer, naval brasses, and a painting of Lord Nelson, along with attractive breweriana.”

The pub is one of 17 in the UK to battle it out with pubs in its area. They were rated on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, inclusivity, overall impression, but most importantly – the quality of live beer, real cider and perry.

Regional and national finalists will now compete for the UK National Pub of the Year award, with judges whittling the 17 pubs down to just four in late September.

Speaking to KentOnline last year, landlord of The Nelson Arms, Matthew Rudd, said: “It is a great honour to receive the accolade from CAMRA and the recognition means a lot.

“But, we are also pleased for the town in general. It is great for our customers and staff.

“We have found people in Tonbridge always get behind the small, independent business and they have been behind us.

“To represent the South East of England, we were thrilled.”

Andrea Briers, coordinator for the Pub of the Year competition, said: “These amazing pubs really are the crème de la crème and I would encourage the public to seek out the 17 winners from across the nations and regions of the UK – they are top-tier pubs serving excellent beer, cider and perry, run by welcoming, hardworking staff.

“It’s also important to support your local all year round. With constant pressure from stubbornly high energy prices, fluctuating running costs and grossly unfair business rates threatening to drown pubs across the UK, it’s vital to get out and support the licensed trade.”