Best Beer Gardens in London

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 with heaters come winter and British grub to boot. 

Why keep your feet on the ground, when you could enjoy alfresco sips five floors up? Pergola Olympia is a gorgeous plant-adorned space, perfect for a summertime drinking session. With street food aplenty and a huge selection of cocktails, it's a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

If you're looking for beer gardens near London Bridge, then Vinegar Yard has you covered... literally. Not only will you find rows of benches and covered spaces, but also cocktails, beers and food from the likes of Nanny Bills, Up in My Grill and Sugo.

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 a suntrap in summer and covered in winter with heaters. 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.

Like your beer gardens on a rooftop with views of central London? Then look no further than Bar Elba, a gorgeous sky-high bar in Waterloo. Touting gorgeous decor, cracking happy hours and a fabulous weekend bottomless brunch, this beauty isn't to be missed.

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, winters curled up in covered spaces and then some.

The Tankard has been around for more than 100 years and is steeped full of history. Its terrace was once used for punters to look into the Bethlem Insane Asylum; now it's got a much cheerier use - to soak up rays while enjoying views of the park.

With an enormous beer garden 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, and in winter? Booking a heated booth or heading to the cosy Greenhaus. 

With a spacious outdoor garden, cosy tea room and airy pub serving seasonal dishes, this southwest watering hole is a top destination all year round. From brunch to after-work drinks and everything in between, you won't need to go far for any occasion.

If you've found yourself in the leafy suburbs of Earlsfield, then mosey on over to The Leather Bottle, a traditional boozer with one heck of a beer garden. The huge outdoor space has got plenty of room to roam, from the covered seating in winter through to the bookable cabins.

The Exhibit is an all-day drinking and eating hub full of friendly staff and great times – but they also have a sterling beer garden too. Not only does it have its own balcony for al-fresco drinking – and the perfect spot for people watching – there's even a hidden terrace complete with plants and vibrant summer vibes. Grab a cocktail and you've basically escaped the smoky summer streets.

Pergola Paddington are bringing the winter beer garden dream alive with their seasonal pop-up. Combining hot cocktails, snow covered trees and festive plates in a truly magical setting, we're expecting big things from this 2020 experience.

A home of craft brews and strapping Sunday roasts, The Brookmill is a charming boozer in Saint John's. Spend a summer's day rambling in Greenwich Park before refuelling in the sunshine at the pub's large beer garden.

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.

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.

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. 

With quirky wooden tiki huts, fire pits and fabulous menus, this Brixton pub easily boasts one of the best beer gardens in South London. A real sun trap, this gorgeous garden is perfect for soaking up some summer rays, or snuggling up by a fire in the colder months.

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, expect heated spaces, covered nooks and sunshine spots in both winter and summer.

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 while away the hours at this top Shoreditch destination.

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. 

Noted for its neighrbourhood charm and intimate beer garden, this friendly local boozer in Crystal Palace is a perfect spot for sunny afternoons and warm evenings thanks to a sports-friendly atmosphere and light, summer gins.

This booming West Brompton is a must-try for drinks outside, whatever the season. Littered in foliage during the summer and churning out heaters and street food in the winter, it's a great spot for those looking to meet up in the great outdoors.

Balmy evenings are perfect for alfresco boozing and the Duchess Belle in Battersea has just what you need. Check out their flower-filled walls and beer garden for a spot of wining and dining on nachos, pies and hot dogs.

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. 

While a slinky little number with only a few tables outside, what sets the beer garden apart at The Lock Tavern is the location. Set alongside the canal and overlooking the famous Camden market, this is the perfect beer garden to get to know North London a little better. 

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.

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.

Found in Islington, Owl and Hitchhiker is a pub jam-packed with eccentricities, which comes as no surprise when you learn that it's inspired by The Owl and Pussycat and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Along with a slick outdoor drinking space, the pub has a unique immersive escape room.

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 shielding from the chill in winter) and working your way thorugh their extensive beer selection.

One of the most historic and beautiful pubs in the whole of south London, The Devonshire's alfresco garden is spot on for 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.

Located within Mercato Metropolitano, this gorgeous London beer garden is also home to one of the best German breweries in the country. Get stuck into refreshing steins of Kraft this summer, alongside delicious street food and much, much more.

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 (and winter, with heaters) 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. 

Head east to find a quirky, laid-back and traditional boozer with bags of charm. The Birds in Leytonstone is a stylish spot that is inspired by Alfred Hitchcock; find craft beers, mismatched furniture and a quaint beer garden at this spot.

The perfect spot for outdoor dining in London, this Shepherd's Bush beaut is bringing you the goods this autumn and winter in the form of fully-heated, socially distant seating, as well as tasty gourmet pizzas, craft beer and cocktails.

Sitting comfortably on Battersea Park Road, Lost Society 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 on their cute terrace.

Sporting a fresh look after a huge extension, Vauxhall Food & Beer Garden is set to be your new go-to summer hangout spot. Munch on tasty street food from all over the world whilst sipping on fruity cocktails and enjoy sports screenings, hilarious comedy shows and live music.

With a truly amazing outdoor seating area, this fun Wandsworth pub is certainly in the running for having one of the best beer gardens in South London. Guests can sit in tiki-inspired huts that get the sun in the summer months, and shield from the wind and rain during the winter.

If you're looking for a grand old 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. In the winter? Heaters and sheltered spaces.

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.

Set in a Georgian manor, Effra Social is a spacious and lively venue perfect for when you're looking to drink a pint outside. Head to their beer garden for craft beer and European small plates or get inside to listen to live music or take part in quiz nights.

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.

Home to one of the best beer gardens in South London, this gorgeous Southfields pub is here to keep in beer and South African BBQ all year round. Just a short trip from both Wandsworth and Putney, it's the perfect place to pitch up for sunny afternoons and epic Sunday lunches.

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. 

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.

With a huge garden space that's filled with glowing lights and bustling crowds, The Duke of Edinburgh is a great place if you're after alfresco drinks in Brixton. Join the south London favourite for cocktails, beer and food from White Men Can't Jerk.

Set between railway arches, Night Tales might be one of the coolest places to grab a drink outside in the summer. From retro seating to roaring club nights, there's a happy blend of the casual and the party hearty.

A trusty gastropub that's a huge hit with Winchmore Hill locals, The Kings 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.