Summer is here and that means it’s time to enjoy the weather and spend as much time as possible outside. Forget eating and drinking in a dingy, dark pub—it’s that time of the year when the beer gardens are the place to be. The city may feel built up, but venture to a pub with a well done outdoor space and you’ll feel like you’ve escaped to the country and are hanging out in someone’s garden. Book into one of our London hotels for the weekend, then make your way to some of the city’s best beer gardens:
Best for budget
The Gipsy Moth in Greenwich has a garden that’s popular with locals, tourists and students alike, particularly because of its very reasonable prices. There are regular barbecues and a view of the impressive Cutty Sark right from the outside tables.
Best for people-watching
The Freemasons Arms in Hampstead Heath is a great spot for spying on the wealthy Hampstead residents, and the front terrace is always full of a collection of them. Out back, there’s a conservatory too, which opens onto a lively garden.
Best for beer
If you’re into your beers, the newly reopened Crown and Shuttle in Shoreditch is the place for you. With a vast selection of tap, cask and bottle beers, the beer garden is set to be the spot of the summer.
Best for BBQs
The Edinboro Castle in Camden is famous for its BBQs of epic proportions, since its garden can seat 300 and includes an outside bar. In the sunshine, it’s packed, and if you’re looking to do a bit of mingling, you’ll find no better opportunity than over a burger bun.
Best for class
The Jam Tree in Clapham has a beer garden that is totally devoid of picnic benches. You certainly won’t find bare beer bellies getting sunburnt here, but you will find a great cocktail menu and some scrumptious eats.
Best for the view
The Ship in Wandsworth has some of the best views of the Thames, and the beer garden attracts a big crowd in the summer. Founded in 1786, it’s a real south-west London institution and is known as the best place to party on a Sunday.
Best for something a bit different
In case the three tiered, beautiful beer garden at The Faltering Fullback in Finsbury Park isn’t enough to keep you happy, this place also serves great Thai food, which is a delicious choice in warmer weather. This is the perfect place to go to hide away with a friend and have a good chinwag, surrounded by plants and sunshine.
Best for the family
The Marlborough in Richmond welcomes kids and dogs alike, so if you’ve gone out with the family for a walk, the beer garden is the perfect place to end up for lunch. They even have pet rabbits and guinea pigs which will keep the kids entertained while your soak up the sun in the spacious garden.
