A pint in the sun is a precious thing: light streaming through beer; soft snorts of laughter everywhere; the sound of crisp packets being ripped open to share. Summer hasn’t been kind so far, but this week has brought renewed promise of warmth. Some say the coming weekend will see temperatures more common in Ibiza.
London’s pub scene is full of great places to drink, but it’s no surprise that outdoor space in some parts of the city can still be hard to come by. And no one wants to sit sweating in the darkness when there’s a chance to top up their tan.
Here are some of our favourite pub gardens in London. From picturesque riverside terraces to lively neighbourhood pubs, they have plenty of space and a great atmosphere.
Pub in the park
A favourite with larger groups, there are fantastic views of London Fields from this smart pub garden, which is always buzzing. If it seems a little busy, grab a pint to go and head to the nearby park.
19 Martellostraat, E8 3PE, pubonthepark.com
The Albion
This handsome, wisteria-covered pub is worth a visit whatever the weather, with a series of small interconnecting rooms inside and a country pub atmosphere. The food is good, the beer is well kept and there’s a decent cocktail list too. There’s a small strip of outdoor seating at the front, which often catches the waning evening sun and fills up quickly. At the back, the space is vast, with rows of park-style benches under parasols and, in some cases, vines and willows.
10 Thornhillweg, N1 1HW, the-albion.co.uk
The Sun of Camberwell
This pub has a great selection of beers, an impressive menu and – best of all – a lovely large beer garden, which they’ve covered to brave the unpredictable British summer weather. Brixton and the surrounding area is spoilt for choice for boozers, and this is one of the best.
Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NS, suncamberwell.com
Inn of the People’s Park
One of the largest and greenest pub gardens in East London (with lots of pretty bunting). Be sure to try one of the craft beers from the on-site microbrewery.
360 Victoria Parkweg, E9 7BT, peoplesparktavern.pub
The Red Lion
As well as being one of the nicest pubs in East London, with lots of great things to offer in the kitchen and a good selection of real ales, this smart pub opens out the back with a spacious courtyard. They also open with lids, in case it rains.
640 High Road Leytonstone, E11 3AA, theredlionleytonstone.com
The Crown and the Greyhound
Not far from Dulwich Hamlet stadium on Champion Hill, the Crown and Greyhound is a spacious, lively pub with a good selection of craft beers and ales and jazzy cocktails. It has a large terrace and decent pub food, both inside and out. A good place to watch football too.
73 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ, thecrownandgreyhound.nl
Big Penny Social
“Food, drink and fun for everyone” is the simple but accurate tagline for this venue. While the venue is known for its live music, club vibes and plenty of entertainment inside, the space outside is also huge and is limited to a great beer garden, one of the largest in East London. The whole venue seats 1,400 people, so getting a table shouldn’t be too difficult.
1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow, E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk
The Leyton Star
Head into this characterful local favourite and you’ll find a lovely central bar, with a decent sized area for drinking and eating. Things come to life at the back, with a surprisingly spacious paved beer garden with plenty of benches and places to sit in the sun.
116 High Road Leyton, E15 2BX, leytonstar.co.uk
The Duke of Edinburgh
Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Brixton, this fun local spot with a truly massive garden creates an atmosphere that almost vibrates. The cobbled courtyard is delightfully green and White Men Can’t Jerk is still there, serving up, you guessed it, deliciously prepared jerk chicken and other Caribbean dishes.
204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG; dukeofedinburghpub.com
The White Horse
The garden of this bustling Fulham local, on the corner of Parsons Green Road, is a great place to sit and watch the world go by – hence its popularity with well-heeled residents, who have nicknamed it the ‘Sloaney Pony’. It’s also known for its fantastic range of 150 bottled beers and 20 draught beers.
1-3 Parsons Green, SW6 4UL, whitehorsesw6.com
The hope and the anchor
Brixton is clearly bursting at the seams with great beer gardens, and the Hope and Anchor is no exception. It’s a beautiful spot – the hanging flowers and fairy lights make sure of that – and is known as a place for a prosecco party. The outdoor huts help when the heavens open.
123 Acre Lane, SW2 5UA, hoopandanchorbrixton.co.uk
The Crabtree Tavern
This large Victorian pub is situated on the stretch of river between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, with several outdoor areas and views across the Thames to Barnes and the London Wetland Centre. Try to get a spot under the weeping willow and while away a lazy Sunday afternoon watching the rowers working up a sweat on the water. A personal favourite.
Rainvilleweg, W6 9HA, thecrabtreew6.co.uk
The White Swan
It’s one of the most idyllic spots in London and one of our favourite pubs in the capital. The veranda and seating areas feel like a world away from the bustling city and are some of the best places to spend a summer afternoon. You’ll probably be lucky to get a spot.
Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN, whiteswantwickenham.co.uk
The White Deer
Another gem in the Antic pub chain – owned by the same owners as the Sun of Camberwell, above – The White Hart is an unsung favourite in Stoke Newington. The huge pub garden is a sunny spot packed with inviting tables. And the food here is pretty decent.
69 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 8EL, whitehartstokenewington.com
The prince
Arguably one of the most versatile venues in the city, the Prince’s beautiful dining room can be transformed into a huge beer garden with a retractable roof at this popular Earl’s Court spot. Expect it to be packed.
14 Lillieweg, SW6 1TT, theprincelondon.com
Anchor Bankside
Situated in the middle of one of London’s most tourist-friendly areas, minutes from Borough Market and the Globe, this Bankside pub is blessed with plenty of space outside the front. Ideal for a pint or two right by the Thames, walk-ins are welcome.
34 Park Street, SE1 9EF, greeneking-pubs.co.uk
The Duke of Hamilton
This charming pub is worth a visit in north-west London, a short walk across the moors from Hampstead station. The front garden seats 25 and the back garden seats 40, so booking is advisable, but walk-ins are welcome if space is available. There is an awning in case of bad weather.
23-25 New End, NW3 1JD, thedukeofhamiltonnw3.com
The Eagle
This Shepherd’s Bush pub is all about its snazzy garden, making it one of the best outdoor pub spaces in West London. It’s huge, with plenty of comfy seating and its own bar, and the whole space is covered and filled with heaters.
215 Askewweg, W12 9AZ, theeaglew12.co.uk
The Canonbury Tavern
The historic Islington pub Canonbury is worth a visit all year round, but the garden really makes it shine in the summer. It was also one of the pubs visited by George Orwell, who wrote parts of 1984 while sitting in the garden in the 1940s.
21 Canonbury Place, N1 2NS, thecanonbury.co.uk
The Avalon
A Balham Hill stalwart, the Avalon caters for long, leisurely lunches and large groups, and is family-friendly too. It has not one but three outdoor spaces, comprising a courtyard, a terrace and a beautiful main garden. A local favourite for good reason. Later Rowdy(ish).
16 Balham Hill, SW12 9EB, theavalonlondon.com
Edinboro Castle
Afternoons easily flow into long evenings in this pretty little retreat tucked away behind Mornington Crescent. It has a large garden covered in inviting greenery, with the added bonus of a handy mini-tent, heaters and string lights for when the evening chill descends.
57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU, edinborocastlepub.co.uk
Tir Na NOg
This Irish pub in Wandsworth — not the posh side by any means — is a classic South London hideaway, packed with live music, sports and warm hospitality. The pretty little garden at the back is not huge, but it is beautiful. A place to while away the afternoon.
107 Garratt Lane, SW18 4DW, tirnanogwandsworth.co.uk
Perry Hill Pub
This family-friendly pub in south-east London has a huge walled beer garden, part green and peaceful, part terraced, some parts covered, others open to the elements. It’s a great place for a pint and super-affordable bar snacks; otherwise the main menu offers brilliant classics, from ham, egg and chips to hot-smoked salmon. Mondays and Tuesdays, £10 hot dogs.
78 – 80 Perry Hill, SE6 4EY, perryhillpub.co.uk/
The Devonshire
There’s another Devonshire, and that’s this one. It’s a different vibe to the Soho haunt, but still good. Located in Balham, it’s home to Balham Beach Club, a large, colourful venue where young professionals like to congregate for lively cocktails — lots of spritz action — and simple, satisfying pub grub. The burgers are strong, as are the fish finger sandwiches. Expect a buzzing atmosphere, bookable “beach huts,” strings of lights in the evening, and plenty of boat shoes morning, noon and night.
39 Balham High Road, SW12 9AN, devonshirebalham.co.uk