Best Beer Gardens In Cambridge

Located in the oh-so-gorgeous village of Madingley, just three miles outside of Cambridge, The Three Horseshoes is a true English beauty. The thatched-roofed pub boasts a luscious green beer garden, speckled with private dining pods and traditional deck chairs.

Top up your tan while you sip over at The Waterman. Nestled in the city centre, this cool and contemporary boozer also boasts a mega beer garden. Here, you'll find long, colourful tables, lots of cushions and cosy lanterns for when dusk falls.

Fronting a small but very pretty terrace, as well as streetside tables out front, The Cambridge Brew House is a fair bet if you're looking to take your drinks outside. Better yet, the pints are whipped up in-house, offering some of the best craft beer for you to guzzle down.

While not technically a beer garden, we felt that Revolution's gorgeous rooftop terrace was worthy of a mention when it came to alfresco sipping. Found on the fifth floor of the city centre party palace, the sprawling sky-high space has its own bar and a retractable cover for those scorching summer days. 

When it comes to pubs with beer gardens in Cambridge, The Tickell Arms always comes out on top. Easily identified thanks to its baby blue exterior, the Whittlesford boozer is home to a Victorian walled rose garden and pond; the perfect, calming oasis for a chilled-out Saturday. 

If you're wondering where to drink outside in Cambridge, The Crown & Punchbowl is a charming option. While a quaint Grade II-listed pub in the village of Horningsea, the outdoor terrace gets packed out with sun worshippers tucking into hearty pub grub and ice cold pints during summer.

The Old Bicycle Shop's beautiful outside space has been designed with long lunches and balmy evenings in mind. While rich in history (it's claimed that Charles Darwin bought a bike from here), the Regent Street spot is best-loved for its tasty brunch plates and extensive list of cocktails.

For outdoor dining in Cambridge, Stolen are our go-to guys. The quirky restaurant specialises in dishes fresh from the grill, be it a sizzling seabass fillet or hickory-smoked baby back ribs. And when the weather's warm? The alfresco terrace becomes the main attraction.

You'll find this gorgeous green oasis perched atop The Varsity Hotel, complete with comfy sofas, warm heaters and views for miles. Head to this sky-high garden just as the sun is setting to enjoy orange-tinged tipples and a selection of grilled delights, from fresh lobster to smoky BBQ ribs.

Another corker of a Cambridge beer garden is The Portland Arms. While you may want to stay inside to catch the live music that's on throughout the week, this joint also has a suntrap of a terrace, decked out with spacious booths that are ideal for a group day out in the sunshine.

The Punter is one of the most popular watering holes around, often topping the list of pubs with outdoor seating in Cambridge. Tucked away on Pound Hill, the gem is covered in vintage knick-knacks and is the perfect escape from the chaos of the city in peak season. 

The Anchor is home to one of the prettiest waterside terraces in the city. Take in the views of the Mathematical Bridge and watch the punters bob past as you enjoy an alfresco lunch, created from local, seasonal ingredients and washed down with a craft beer (or two).