London's Best Beer Gardens

The Cove

You can't get more quintessentially English than a Cornish pasty with a pint of real ale! That's the order of the day at the West Cornwall Pasty Co's The Cove, smack bang in the middle of Covent Garden's main piazza. Bag yourself a seat on the balcony or chill out at a table on the cobbles with a sun umbrella. Then people-watch to your heart's content.

The Eagle

The huge outside area at The Eagle in Shepherd's Bush is a real find. It features magnificent cast iron railings, giant Victorian lanterns, outdoor games and the feel of a real English country garden. Enjoy the large grassy spaces scattered with picnic benches, colourful flowerbeds, strings of fairy lights and candles at night, as well as regular barbecues.

Edinboro Castle

Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Camden High Street and not far from Regent's Park, the Edinboro Castle comes into its own in the summer. The large tree-lined garden and barbecue make it the ideal spot for some relaxed drinking in the sun.

The Avalon

Head to sunny Clapham South where you'll find Avalon's huge new beer garden at the rear of the pub. This little oasis has a beautiful terrace and plenty of seating. There's even a fountain. Enjoy something to eat from the mediterranean grill and sample one of the many wines on offer.

The Garden Gate

A delightful pub in busy Belsize Park, The Garden Gate is just round the corner from Hampstead Heath. Many customers bring their dogs to the pub after a brisk walk in the park and the beer garden always has a good atmosphere. Pop along one weekend for the tasty barbecues or slap-up Sunday lunches. To wash it down, sample one of the unusual continental beers on tap.

The Gipsy Moth

Right next door to the famous Cutty Sark in historic Maritime Greenwich, the The Gipsy Moth is a popular hangout for locals, tourists and students alike. Friendly, comfortable and reasonably priced, the large beer garden is always packed out in summer. This is a great place to chill out with Sunday lunch or enjoy one of the regular barbecues.

The Marlborough

In leafy Richmond, The Marlborough serves cracking cocktails and good hearty food and is famous for its huge garden. Lovingly tended, the beer garden boasts 800 square metres of outdoor area, a conservatory and a small playground area for kids. A perfect family-friendly establishment with a welcoming atmosphere, the place has been recently decked out with comfortable and contemporary furnishings.

Sun in Splendour

If all that shopping on Portobello Road has left you thirsty, you'll appreciate the Sun in Splendour's "garden lounge". This intimate area features upholstered sofas, retro rugs, candlelight and outdoor heaters. A non-smoking establishment (indoors only), the pub is a great place to chill out, although can get busy on market days.

Tattershall Castle

A permanently moored boat on Victoria Embankment, the Tattershall Castle is a good spot for open air drinking in central London. You can't beat a cool drink on the deck on a sunny afternoon. As it is right opposite the London Eye, you can soak up stunning views of the Houses of Parliament while sipping a G&T. Cheers!