Kelsey Arms

105 St Johns Road

Royal Tunbridge Wells

https://whatpub.com/kelsey-arms

Above photo, date unknown.

Above photo, date unknown, kindly taken and sent by Brian Brockie.

Above Google image, May 2011.

Above Google image, circa 2012.

Above photo after closure in 2012.

The pub closed in 2012 and is now (2016) operating as yet another Tesco Express outlet.

Above photo 2018.

Named after the brewery (Edward & Henry Kelsey) serving its beers from their Culverton brewery in 1855.

The brewery was bought out by J. W. Green in 1948 (which later became part of Flower's Brewery,) brewing at St. John's site till 1955, the brewery buildings were demolished in 1967.

The premises was renovated in 1975 and although this took three months the pub never closed during the operations. Unfortunately in 2012 it closed permanently and was converted into a Tesco Express.

Whilst open it was home for darts and pool teams and was also home to a woman's hockey team from the nearby all weather pitch.

From the https://www.kentlive.news By Mary Harris, 7 March 2023. The Kelsey Arms on St John's Road closed in 2012 and was redeveloped as a Tesco supermarket. It was a 19th Century town house pub with a large open plan containing a wooden panelled interior. It was popular with locals while darts and pool leagues were a big feature at the left of the main bar. They also used to serve popular Sunday roasts before closing in 2012, to become a Tesco Express. Local women enjoyed a drink there after playing hockey matches on the all-weather pitch nearby and many remember "nights in the Kelsey".

Above photo, December 2025. Kindly sent by Dan Griffiths.

LICENSEE LIST

New Management unknown name Feb/1970

O'FARRELL Tom & Thelma 1975+