Tired of traipsing around town, begging to stumble across one of London's best beer gardens? We've all been there, in search of a cold pint on a hot summer's day, but lucky for you, we're here to help count those days as a thing of the past. Wherever you are and whatever your preferences, we’ve made it our duty to line you up with the best outdoor spaces, from the trendy to the laid back.
Last updated on 6th November 2019
If you're looking for a grand olde boozer with a bangin' beer garden then look no further than the Fentiman Arms. Known quaintly as the wild country beer garden, this Geronimo Inn boasts a hefty outdoor spec complete with summer BBQ set-up for those hot hazy days.
With an enormous beer garden space that stretches out to meet the tip of Victoria Park, this is one of the best open-air drinking and dining spaces in East London. We'd heartily recommend popping over as soon as that sun pokes through the clouds, your reward comes in the form of BBQ'd treats and loads of chilled drinks.
One of the most historic and beautiful pubs in the whole of south London, The Devonshire's alfresco garden is spot on for a spot of summertime basking. Get yourself set up with something from their extensive range of ales, craft beers, spirits and wines then get out into the great outdoors as they fire up the BBQ.
With a great beer garden and cool craft beers to enjoy in it, this cool and quirky North London pub boasts some of the finest Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy decor in the city.
Roehampton's King's Head boasts a serene garden space with lots of tables and plenty of cover for if the weather should turn, and it's just lovely. Get yourself out here with a chilled tray of drinks - the pub offers Young's ales, craft beers and a superb wine list - and don't lose faith if you've missed out, the floor-to-ceiling windows lets the light flood in to make it feel like you're pretty much outside anyway.
What with its spot in suburbia, it's no wonder that the Sun of Camberwell boasts one of the finest beer gardens in South London. Not only home to the humble Sunday roast and quiz nights, sunny afternoons with a pint or ale in hand at the ultimate must here.
Head east to find a quirky, laid-back and traditional boozer with bags of charm. The Birds in Leytonstone is a quirky and stylish spot that is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock; find craft beers, mismatched furniture and a quaint beer garden at this spot.
Lovingly known as Fulham's 'village pub', there's a comfortable and relaxed feel to The Rose. That's due in no small part to the beautiful garden, with its secluded areas, water feature and flowerbeds creating an ambience that always impresses. These guys fire up the BBQ come the warmer months and the garden is heated, which means you can enjoy something from their extensive menu of wines, premium spirits, cocktails and bottled beers no matter what time of year you're visiting.
Battersea's London House is home to more than just some delicious plates of food, they've also got an outdoor space for you to enjoy them in. Take a seat in their foliage-filled beer garden for the ultimate alfresco dining experience in one of South London's prettiest areas.
Big Chill in Camden is serving up all sorts of fun throughout the weekend. Located opposite King's Cross, the bar also has a lovely little beer garden, perfect for soaking up rays and working your way thorugh their extensive beer selection.
There are beer gardens, and then there's The Ship. A family-friendly and locals favourite, The Ship not only has bars in the garden and British cuisine in the kitchen, this beer garden is set right by the water for summer vibes and then some.
You might think of Cargo as a thriving clubbing destination first and foremost, but the venue also features an enormous decked beer garden and BBQ area just perfect for chilling in. Set yourself up with a chilled glass of wine or a crisp pint and prepare to wile away the hours at this top Shoreditch destination.
The Four Thieves is a wonderfully special establishment, and a glorious place to spend lazy evenings. Let your night filter outside even on chilly winter nights, as charming covered areas, heaters and squishy seating makes the garden a very hospitable environment. In the summer, the scent of lavender will waft down from the roof, where it is growing in preparation for being distilled into gin.
As part of a group of beer and ale enthusiasts, Highbury's Brewhouse & Kitchen delivers a menu full of mouth-watering dishes alongside a selection of international and home-brewed craft beers. To soak up all the summer sunshine, their idyllic beer garden, decked out with rustic stools and barrels, offers guests the perfect, Vitamin D boosting spot to unwind in after a long day of work.
Family friendly and found on the streets of Richmond, The Rising Sun is giving you London beer garden bliss all round. Perfect to tide over both a balmy lunch and dinner, head on down to this casual spot where the young, old and everyone in between love to hang out.
A trusty gastropub that's a huge hit with Winchmore Hill locals, The King's Head also features a gem of a decked beer garden. Pick up anything from a good range of ales, fine wines and refreshing beers from inside and make straight for this tranquil outside space; there's an all-day menu of fresh and ethically sourced food if you should fancy a bite to eat.
Elegantly decorated and bursting full of colour, the beer garden at The Wood House offers Dulwich's residents a cosy spot to unwind and take in all that the summer has to offer. Complete with ping pong tables and beautifully crafted garden furniture, the real gems in this idyllic location are the brightly coloured huts.
Sitting comfortably on Battersea Park Road, Lost & Co is a versatile restaurant and bar that's become a favourite amongst the locals in South London. Priding itself as something of a jack-of-all-trades, the venue serves Australian coffee in the morning in addition to the hand-crafted cocktails and ice-cold craft beers. Perfect for when the sun makes a rare appearance, the venue's pretty beer garden is capable of rivalling any in South London.
Just a few steps away from London Bridge and the Shard is Tanner and Co., a cute restaurant bar that has a great London beer garden. Escape the streets in their unique little hideaway, complete with wooden floors and cool furnishings where you can relax, drink a delicious cocktail, beer or wine and have fun in the sun.
Can't have a brewpub without one hell of a beer garden can you? Welcome to Aeronaut, where traditional is not something they exploit. The circus is truly in town at this beer garden lined with stripy coloured booths paying homage to the hook-a-ducks, strong man and coconut shys of the circus trade. Retreat into one of these semi-private seating booths for cool beer under a warming heater. A cornucopia of vibrant colours and lots of character, Aeronaut is a fun-filled pub with beer garden to match.
While you never may have thought it, Tooting harbours one of the best places to drink outside in London. Head on down to The Castle as their big garden not only provides a quaint British experience, there's real ale, bookable huts and British grub to boot.
Boasting one of the biggest beer gardens in Fulham, this popular bar's backyard is comfortable and covered making it a perfect drinking spot whatever the weather. Its interiors aren't too shabby either, with botanical and jungle motifs filling every corner of the pub.
Fronting one of the best beer gardens in London, this unique pub in Kentish Town is an excellent spot for soaking up the sun in the summer months. Alongside screening big sports game and offering a lovely area for chilling out, it's also got in-house kitchen residents Nanny Bill's on hand to serve up some delicious burgers to boot.
With regular BBQs, live music and a pet-friendly policy, The Charles Holden's epic beer garden is the place to be when the sun decides to shine in South West London. Located next to Wandle Park, this is the perfect pitstop for a pitcher of Pimms and some mouth-watering food.
A little slice of paradise in the heart of East London, Barrio Shoreditch is a taste of all things tropical without the daunting price tag. Toting the wares of South America meets the South Pacific and cavorting with all things colourful, this nugget is a den of cool benches, charming murals and cracking cocktails.
Reasons for visiting the WGT beer garden are three-fold. For starters, it's huge - so there's no need to worry about whether you'll get a spot, just head down in your own time and soak in the buzzing atmosphere. Secondly, it's an absolute suntrap, doused in glorious rays for a significant part of the day. Finally, it's got its own bar, so you can sun yourself without having to traipse back to queue for your next round inside. Result.
A restored Victorian pub in Notting Hill, The Union Tavern sure does spoil us Londoners with a beautiful canal-side garden. Watch the boats drift down the river on a sunny day while you choose from their wide selection of craft beers and wines. This pub features an electric mix of décor and has an outdoor screen for films too.
South London is definitely not short of great beer gardens, but the White Bear's garden certainly has to feature high on the list. Having been created in 1780, just as the British lost their grip on the American colonies, the venue is full of vintage antiques, and the walls are covered in grainy photographs and satirical newspaper cartoons. As you'd expect to find in a modern pub, the venue's chef plates up a range of traditional British recipes, including gravy drenched roast dinners and piping hot catch-of-the-day dishes.
We can't think of many better ways to spend a sun-soaked day away from the office than at The Miller. Bag yourself a spot in the garden and work your way through their extensive list of local craft beers and real ciders, with authentic pizzas on the agenda if you should find yourself feeling peckish.