by A pint in the sun is a precious thing: light cascading through beer; sweet snorts of laughter throughout; the sound of biscuit packets being torn open to share. Summer has not been kind so far but this week brought the promise of renewed warmth. Some people say that the temperature could be seen more often in Ibiza next weekend.
London’s pub scene is full of glorious spots to drink in, although it’s little wonder that outdoor space is still difficult to find in some parts of town. And no one wants to be sitting sweating in the dark when there’s an opportunity to lose weight.
Here are some of our favorite pub gardens across London. From picturesque riverside terraces to lively neighborhood boozers, they have plenty of space and great vibes.
Pub on the Park
A favorite with large groups, this smart garden pub has great views of London Fields and is always lively. If it seems a little busy, grab a takeaway pint and head into the nearby park.
19 Martello Street, E8 3PE, pubonthepark.com
The Albion
This handsome wisteria-covered pub is worth a visit whatever the weather, with a series of small rooms connected inside and a rustic pub. The food is good, the beer is well-kept and there’s a half-decent cocktail list, too. At the front is a small strip of outside seating, which often gets in the afternoon sun and fills up quickly. At the back, the space is huge, with rows of park benches under parasols and, in some cases, vines and willows.
10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW, very albion.co.uk
The sun of Camberwell
The pub has a large selection of beers, an impressive food menu and – best of all – a large and beautiful beer garden, which they have covered to see off the unpredictable British summer weather. Brixton and the roundabouts have a choice for boozers, and this is one of the best.
Coldharbour Lane, SE5 9NS, suncamberwell.com
Community Park Tavern
One of the largest and leafiest pub gardens in east London (with plenty of beautiful bunting to boot). Be sure to try one of the craft beers from their on-site microbrewery.
360 Victoria Park Road, E9 7BT, peoplesparktavern.pub
The Red Lion
As well as being one of the nicest boozers in east London, with lots of great things on offer from the kitchen and a good selection of real ales, this smart pub opens out the back onto a large courtyard. They will open with covers, too, in case of rain.
640 High Leytonstone Road, E11 3AA, theredlionleytonstone.com
The Crown and the Hound
Not far from Dulwich Hamlet’s stadium at Champion Hill, The Crown and Greyhound is a sweeping, lively pub with a good stock of craft beers and ales and jazzy cocktails. The terrace is large, and has decent pub grub on it as well inside. A good pub to watch the football, too.
73 Dulwich Village, SE21 7BJ, thecrownandgreyhound.co.uk
Big Penny Social
“Food, drink and fun times for all” is the simple, albeit accurate, tagline for this place. While it’s famous for its live music, clubbing and plenty of entertainment, the outside space is huge too, with a cracking beer garden, one of the biggest in east London. The entire place has room for 1,400, so it shouldn’t be too difficult to snag a table somewhere.
1 Priestley Way, Walthamstow, E17 6AL, bigpennysocial.co.uk
The Leyton star
Enter this quintessential local favorite and you’ll see a lovely central bar, with plenty of space for drinking and dining. Out the back, things come alive, with a wonderfully spacious beer garden with lots of benches and places to sit outside in the sun.
116 Ard Leyton Road, E15 2BX, leytonstar.co.uk
Duke of Edinburgh
Away from the main attraction of Brixton, this beautiful place with an absolutely huge garden practically rattles with atmosphere. The paved courtyard has gorgeous leaves, and White Men Can’t Jerk still lives on providing, you guessed it, smooth jerk chicken and other Caribbean-inspired dishes.
204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG; dukeofedinburghpub.com
The White Horse
Sitting on the corner of Parsons Green Road, the garden of this buzzing Fulham local is well placed to sit and watch the world go by – hence its popularity with well-heeled residents giving it the nickname ‘Sloaney Pony’ ‘ on him. It is also known for its impressive range of 150 bottled beers and 20 draft beers.
1-3 Pearsagh Green, SW6 4UL, whitehorsesw6.com
Hope and Anchor
It’s clear that Brixton is full of top beer gardens, and Hope and Anchor are no exception. This is a beautiful spot – the hanging flowers and fairy lights prove it – and it’s known as one for Prosecco-fueled parties. The outdoor cabins help when the skies open.
123 Acre Lane, SW2 5UA, hopedancorbrixton.co.uk
The Crabtree Tavern
Sitting on the stretch of river between Hammersmith and Putney bridges, the large Victorian pub has several outdoor spaces, and views across the Thames to Barnes and the London Wetlands. Try it and grab the seats under the weeping willow and spend a lazy Sunday afternoon watching the rowers break a sweat on the water. A personal favorite.
Rainville Road, W6 9HA, thecrabtreew6.co.uk
The White Swan
It is one of the most idyllic places in London, and one of the favorite pubs in the capital. The outdoor veranda and seating areas feel like a world away from the busy city, and are some of the best places to spend a summer evening. You’ll probably be lucky to get a place, though.
Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN, whiteswantwickenham.co.uk
The White Heart
Another bet on the roster of Antic pub chains – the same owners as the Sun of Camberwell, above – is the White Hart in Stoke Newington. The huge pub garden is a sun trap packed with inviting tables. And the food here is decent.
69 High Street Stoke Newington, N16 8EL, bánhartstokenewington.com
The Prince
It’s probably one of the most versatile venues in the city: the Prince’s elegant dining room can be transformed into a huge beer garden with a retractable roof at this popular spot in Earl’s Court. Expect it to be packed.
14 Lillie Road, SW6 1TT, theprincelondon.com
Anchor on the side of the Bank
Found right in the middle of one of London’s most tourist-friendly areas, this Bankside pub – minutes from Borough Market and the Globe – is blessed with plenty of space outside the front. It’s ideal for a pint or two right next to the Thames and walk-ins are welcome.
34 Park Street, SE1 9EF, greeneking-pubs.co.uk
Duke of Hamilton
Found a short walk towards the heath from Hampstead station, this lovely pub is one to visit in north west London. There is a limit of 25 people in the front garden and a capacity of 40 in the back garden, so bookings are recommended although walk-ins are allowed if space is available. There is a canopy in case of bad weather.
23-25 New End, NW3 1JD, thedukeofhamiltonw3.com
The Eagle
This Shepherd’s Bush pub has a snazzy garden, making it one of the best outdoor pub spaces in west London. It is huge, with many comfy chairs and its own bar, and the whole space is covered and filled with heaters.
215 Oscaise Road, W12 9AZ, eaglew12.co.uk
The Canonbury Tavern
Historic Islington pub the Canonbury is worth a visit all year round, but the garden helps it come into its own in the summer. It was one of the pubs frequented by George Orwell, who wrote parts of 1984 while sitting in the garden back in the forties.
21 Canonbury Place, N1 2NS, thecanonbury.co.uk
The Abalone
A staple of Balham Hill, the Avalon caters for long leisurely lunches and large groups and is family friendly. It is not one store but three outdoor spaces, made up of a courtyard, a terrace, and a beautiful garden. A local favorite for good reason. Rowdy(ish) later.
16 Balham Hill, SW12 9EB, theavalondon.com
Edinboro Castle
Evenings slide easily into long evenings at this lovely little bolthole, behind the Ballymornan Crescent. There is a generous sized garden covered in welcoming foliage, with the added bonus of a handy mini marquee, heaters and fairy lights when the evening chill descends.
57 Ballymornan Terrace, NW1 7RU, edinborocastlepub.co.uk
Land of the young
This Irish pub in Wandsworth – certainly not on the posh side – is a classic south London bolthole filled with live music, sports and warm hospitality. The lovely little garden out the back is not big but it is glorious. A place to while away an evening.
107 Garratt Lane, SW18 4DW, tirnanogwandsworth.co.uk
Perry Hill Pub
This family-friendly pub in south-east London has a huge beer garden, part leafy and tranquil, part decking, part covered area, part open to the elements. It’s a great place for a pint and an affordable bar snack; otherwise, the main menu offers great classics, from ham, eggs and chips to hot smoked salmon. On Mondays and Tuesdays, £10 hot dogs.
78 – 80 Perry Hill, SE6 4EY, perryhillpub.co.uk/
The Devonshire
There is another Devonshire, and it is this one. It’s a different vibe from Soho comedy but a good one. It’s in Balham, and it’s home to Balham Beach Club, a big, colorful place where young professionals like to gather for lively cocktails – lots of spritz action – and simple, satisfying pub food. The burgers are strong, as are the fish finger sarnies. Expect a boisterous atmosphere, reserved “beach huts”, evening fairy lights and lots of boat shoes morning, noon and night.
39 High Balham Road, SW12 9AN, devonshirebalham.co.uk
