Best Beer Gardens in London
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 26th February 2021
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is this the most beautiful beer garden in London? With dazzling fairy light, comfy sofas and quirky decor, Flight Club is our pick for an afternoon of entertainment and alfresco sips. Hit up one of their weekend brunch socials and you can enjoy darts fun, bottomless pizza paddles and bottles of fizz.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.