Sitting outdoors with a good, honest pint is one of the timeless joys of London. Fortunately, our city is blessed with hundreds of al fresco drinking spaces, from tiny roof terraces to sprawling gardens. Land value being what it is, you’re most likely to find the bigger, more verdant types the further out you go, although there are plenty of beauties in the inner suburbs. And here’s a teaser: can anyone think of a zone 1 beer garden with grass?
Our map below is a work in progress. It shows recommendations from Londonist readers, as well as the many places we’ve personally enjoyed. We’ve included any pub with a sectioned-off open space, including small roof terraces. But it has to be towards the pub end of the drinking spectrum, rather than chain bars and clubs.
Rarely venture north of the river? We’ve got a separate round-up of south London beer gardens, just for you. Loyal to the East End? Check out our pick of beer gardens within earshot(ish) of Bow Bells. Our west London pub garden round-up features plenty of bucolic riverside boozers, and if an al fresco session in north London tickles your fancy, you should click here.
Uxbridge/Ruislip
Swan & Bottle
Traditional pub grub is served up in this canal-side boozer. Watch the boats putter by.
Swan & Bottle, Oxford Road, Denham, Uxbridge, UB8 1LZ
The George
Harvester boozer with all the pub classics and an outside space.
The George, Bury Street, Ruislip, HA4 7TJ
The Orchard
A Beefeater pub with a huge sea of green, studded with oversize umbrellas.
The Orchard Ruislip, Ickenham Road, Ruislip, HA4 7DR
Richmond
London Apprentice
Big old famous neighbourhood pub that offers amazing views of the river from its beer garden.
London Apprentice, 62 Church Street, Isleworth, TW7 6BG
The White Cross
Victorian pub with a great view overlooking the Thames. Part of the fun is visiting at high tide, when the garden sits underwater.
The White Cross, Riverside, Richmond, TW9 1TH
Steins
Bavarian beerhouse with lovely Thames-side views.
Steins, Towpath (Footpath below at the river), Petersham Road, Richmond, TW10 6UX
The Marlborough
Sizeable beer garden, we reckon one of the best in London.
The Marlborough, 46 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, TW10 6NQ
The White Swan
Charming pub, away from the tourists, with a small but beautifully formed beer garden.
The White Swan, 26 Old Palace Lane, Richmond TW9 1PG
The Greyhound
This gastropub has a stunning view of Kew Gardens, with a garden out the back with benches and private wooden ‘pods’.
The Greyhound, 82 Kew Green, Richmond, TW9 3AP
Twickenham
The White Swan
The front beer terrace is regularly surrounded by water at high tide, so watch out. It’s in our list of best pubs on the river Thames.
The White Swan, Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN
Chiswick
Express Tavern
Traditional English pub, with no jukebox, fruit machines or pool table in sight. It has a lovely, well-manicured garden with patio. The lawn is, however, out of bounds, as it was traditionally a bowling green.
Express Tavern, 56 Kew Bridge Road, Brentford, TW8 0EW
The Bell and Crown
18th century Fuller’s pub located right on a leafy towpath, with a conservatory and restaurant.
The Bell and Crown 11-13 Strand-On-The-Green, Strand on the Green, W4 3PL
The Duke of Sussex
Victorian pub with beautiful wide windows. Beautiful garden. Tapas recommended.
The Duke of Sussex, 75 South Parade, W4 5LF
Acton
Grand Junction Arms
A huge beer garden with bonus benches right out on the river too.
Grand Junction Arms, Acton Lane, Canal Bridge, NW10 7AD
The Swan
Tucked-away pub with a relaxing, leafy garden.
The Swan, 119 Evershed Walk, Acton Lane, W4 5HH
Ealing
Drayton Court Hotel
Fuller’s pub with huge beer garden.
Drayton Court Hotel, 2 The Avenue, Ealing, W13 8PH
The North Star
Voted the best in Ealing by Londonist readers. This is old boozer meets smart gastro pub with a bamboo-like tunnel that protects you from the elements.
The North Star, 43 The Broadway, W5 5JN
The Rose and Crown
Friendly neighbourhood pub with colourful hanging baskets and a large beer garden with benches.
The Rose & Crown, Church Place, St. Mary’s Road, Ealing, W5 4HN
The Grange
Voted one of the best pubs in Ealing by Londonist readers, with a large walled garden – heated in winter.
The Grange, Warwick Road, Ealing, W5 3XH
The Grove
Sprawling gastro-place, with ample outdoor seating to the front, side and rear. We got attacked by a bee here once. That may not be a universal experience.
The Grove, The Grove, W5 5QX
Kensal Green
The Masons Arms
This local gastro pub has a roof terrace and one of West London’s largest beer gardens.
The Masons Arms, 665 Harrow Road, Kensal Green, NW10 5NU
Kensington
Windsor Castle
Refurbed old boozer with real ale and a beer garden with an outside bar.
Windsor Castle, 114 Campden Hill Road, Kensington, W8 7AR
The Sun In Splendour
With a vibrant yellow exterior and a ‘secret’ little garden out the back.
The Sun In Splendour, 7 Portobello Road, W11 3DA
Shepherd’s Bush
Eagle
A smart gastropub and relaxing garden, with faux grass and colourful deckchairs in the garden. Around the corner from the Sipsmith Distillery, so expect to get stuck into the G&Ts.
Eagle, 215 Askew Road, Shepherd’s Bush, W12 9AZ
Hammersmith
Thatched House
An airy pub with a log fire, conservatory and a beer garden.
Thatched House, 115 Dalling Road, W6 0ET
The Old Ship
This renowned Hammersmith pub is located right on the river.
The Old Ship, 25 Upper Mall, Hammersmith, W6 9TD
The Cross Keys
Palm trees and colourful flowers in this tropical-looking beer garden.
The Cross Keys, 57 Black Lion Lane, Hammersmith, W6 9BG
The Salutation
Chilled secluded garden and good beer.
The Salutation, 154 King Street, W6 0QU
Queen’s Head
A huge, inviting oasis of trees and cold beer on warm evenings.
Queen’s Head, 13 Brook Green, Hammersmith, W6 7BL
Barnes
The Red Lion
Nestled in one of London’s leafiest areas. There’s a big beer garden with wendy houses, outdoor games and parasols.
The Red Lion, 2 Castelnau, Barnes, SW13 9RU
The Sun Inn
Overlooking the famous Barnes village pond, with a beer garden and bowling green.
The Sun Inn, 7 Church Road, Barnes, SW13 9HE
The Bridge
Decked pub garden filled with trees and sunshine. Bonus points for being just a short walk from the Thames.
The Bridge, 204 Castelnau, Barnes, SW13 9DW
The Coach and Horses
A great little pub with real ales and a green beer garden.
The Coach and Horses, 27 Barnes High Street, SW13 9LW
Putney
The Green Man
Smart venue, with a tidy seating area.
The Green Man, Wildcroft Road, Putney, SW15 3NG
Fulham
The White Horse
Known for its barbecue and sunny beer garden. Great beer too.
The White Horse, 1-3 Parsons Green, Fulham, SW6 4UL
The Crabtree
A pretty well-to-do pub in a pretty well-to-do area, with sweeping Thames views.
The Crabtree, Rainville Road, W6 9HA
Battersea
The Ship
Great Thames views – expect busy times during the summer months.
The Ship, 10 Thames Bank, SW14 7QR
The Magic Garden
Hippy-style pub garden that looks like an eclectic al fresco living room.
The Magic Garden, 231 Battersea Park Road, SW11 4LG
The Prince Albert
What this smart gastropub lacks in character, it makes up for in patio-ed beer garden.
The Prince Albert, 85 Albert Bridge Road, SW11 4PF
Chelsea
The Troubadour
The likes of Jimi Hendrix have played at this renowned Chelsea pub. There’s a café downstairs and a little garden at the back, enveloped in trellises and trees.
The Troubadour, 263-267 Old Brompton Road, SW5 9JA
The Phene
This SW3 pub prides itself on its swanky garden — soft furnishings and all.
The Phene, 9 Phene Street, Chelsea, SW3 5NY
Cooper’s Arms
Located just off the King’s Road, this Chelsea pub has Victorian features, craft beers and a beer garden.
Cooper’s Arms, 87 Flood Street, Chelsea, SW3 5TB
Wimbledon
Hand in Hand
19th-century cottage on the edge of Wimbledon Common, with a garden-like back yard with calming green views.
Hand in Hand, 6 Crooked Billet, Wimbledon, SW19 4RQ
Rose & Crown
A Wimbledon pub with a cosy patio-ed beer garden.
Rose & Crown, 55 High Street, Wimbledon, SW19 5BA
The Alexandra
Good old-fashioned pub with a spacious terrace and a balcony out the front.
The Alexandra, 33 Wimbledon Hill Road, SW19 7NE
The Sultan
Red-brick pub with real ales and a walled garden.
The Sultan, 78 Norman Road, SW19 1BT
White City
Garden Bar
True to its name, the garden here really is something, wood decked and extensive, and beautifully fairy-lit at night.
Garden Bar, 41 Bramley Road, Notting Hill, W10 6SZ
Barnet
Ye Olde Mitre Inne
A tremendous 16th century inn with the feel of a village pub and a garden, complete with a stone kiln.
Ye Olde Mitre Inne, 58 High Street, Barnet EN5 5SJ
The Black Horse
A smashing brewpub, with a moderately sized beer garden.
The Black Horse, 92 Wood Street, Barnet EN5 4BW
The Orange Tree
Beautiful garden and a wonderful, traditional pub.
The Orange Tree, 7 Totteridge Village, N20 8NX
East Finchley
The Ranelagh
Pints and Sunday roasts in a decked pub garden. Lovely
The Ranelagh, 82 Bounds Green Road, N11 2EU
The Old White Lion
Cracking pub, very close to the tube station, with a well thought-out beer garden. Look out for the sculpture of the old white lion.
The Old White Lion, 121 Great North Road, East Finchley N2 0NW
The Maid of Muswell
Smart neighbourhood pub with a covered terrace.
The Maid of Muswell, 121 Alexandra Park Road, N10 2DP
Crouch End
Ye Olde Cherry Tree
This pub garden makes you feel like you’ve just taken a stroll to a countryside pub — a great city escape.
Ye Olde Cherry Tree, The Green, N14 6EN
Tottenham
The Beehive
Family friendly, great beer and lots of space in this lovely local’s beer garden.
The Beehive, Stoneleigh Road, Tottenham, N17 9BQ
Camden
The Pineapple
A popular Kentish Town pub, with a conservatory and beer garden.
The Pineapple, 51 Leverton Street, NW5 2NX
The Junction Tavern
A large Victorian building with an airy conservatory and a buzzing beer garden.
The Junction Tavern, 101 Fortess Road, NW5 1AG
Abbey Tavern
A great summer spot, with a large roof terrace and beer garden.
Abbey Tavern, 124 Kentish Town Road, NW1 9QB
The Edinboro Castle
Huge beer garden with plenty of benches, but on sunny days can get very busy.
The Edinboro Castle, 57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU
The Hawley Arms
An autographed rock star hall, a small garden and bonus roof terrace.
The Hawley Arms, 2 Castlehaven Road, NW1 8QU
The Engineer
Based in leafy Primrose Hill with a walled garden.
The Engineer, 65 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JH
The Lock Tavern
Buzzing lock side pub with a rooftop drinking area overlooking Camden Market.
The Lock Tavern, 35 Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, NW1 8AJ
Princess of Wales
This pub has a rare basement garden, which has/had a fake Banksy.
Princess of Wales, 22 Chalcot Road, NW1 8LL
Pembroke Castle
Has a small terrace area — but be warned — it’s often full.
Pembroke Castle, 150 Gloucester Avenue, NW1 8JA
Stoke Newington
The Clarence Tavern
Previously The Stoke Newington Tea House, and before that the Daniel Defoe — The Clarence Tavern retains its large terrace beer garden.
The Clarence Tavern, 102 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0LA
The Londesborough
Friendly neighbourhood pub with a beer garden and Sunday lunches.
The Londesborough, 36 Barbauld Road, Stoke Newington, N16 0SS
The Auld Shillelagh
Lively Irish boozer with pot plant-studded garden.
The Auld Shillelagh, 105 Stoke Newington Church Street, Stoke Newington, N16 0UD
Holloway Road
The Faltering Fullback
A veritable Ewok’s Village of a beer garden.
The Faltering Fullback, 19 Perth Road, N4 3HB
North Nineteen
Family run pub specialising in ales and whiskies. Paved, but nice garden.
North Nineteen, 194-196 Sussex Way, N19 4HZ
The Swimmer at Grafton Arms
The roof terrace here is a nice sun trap.
The Swimmer at Grafton Arms, 13 Eburne Road, N7 6AR
Islington
The Crown
A smart local, standing here for over 100 years, with Victorian charm and an outside seating area
The Crown, 116 Cloudesley Road, N1 0EB
The Albion
Georgian pub with an extensive garden.
The Albion, 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, N1 1HW
Earl of Essex
Located just off Regent’s Canal, with a menu matched to one of 20 craft beers.
Earl of Essex, 25 Danbury St, Islington, N1 8LE
The Canonbury Tavern
Pretty, landscaped garden filled with picnic benches and tables for al fresco dining from the outdoor Burger Shack.
The Canonbury Tavern, 21 Canonbury Place, N1 2NS
Hampstead
The Black Lion
A large split-level garden with a full sunset view
The Black Lion, 295-297 West End Lane, West Hampstead, NW6 1RD
The Windmill
This hotel/pub has a neat little garden out the back, with a mix of chunky picnic benches, elegant garden sets and a leafy green wall.
The Windmill, 57 Cricklewood Broadway, NW2 3JX
The Freemasons Arms
This smart Hampstead pub looks like a country house, with an airy conservatory and an opulent beer garden.
The Freemasons Arms, 32 Downshire Hill, Hampstead, NW3 1NT
The Garden Gate
This wood-panelled 19th-century pub has a popular, large, heated garden.
The Garden Gate, 14 South End Road, Hampstead, NW3 2QE
The Stag
Around since 1874, this Hampstead gastropub has private cabanas in the back garden.
The Stag, 67 Fleet Road, Hampstead, NW3 2QU
The Spaniards Inn
A green garden offering al fresco dining.
The Spaniards Inn, Spaniards Road, Hampstead, NW3 7JJ
Highgate
Red Lion & Sun
A shady garden which sometimes does hog roasts in the summer.
Red Lion & Sun, 25 North Road, Highgate, N6 4BE
The Flask
With preserved Victorian features and a partly covered area at the front of the pub.
The Flask, 14 Flask Walk, NW3 1HE
The Bull
Trendy pub with a small outdoor decking area.
The Bull, 13 North Hill, Highgate, N6 4AB
The Woodman
One of the largest gardens in Highgate, with both covered, decked patios and al fresco benches.
The Woodman, 414 Archway Road, Highgate, N6 5UA
Balham
The County Arms
Sitting on the edge of Wandsworth Common, a refurbed Victorian building-turned pub with a large sun drenched garden, with small tables, family benches and parasols. Dreamy.
The County Arms, 345 Trinity Road, SW18 3SH
The Avalon
Lurking between Clapham and Balham — this gastro pub sure pulls in a crowd. Boasting three outdoor spaces — a roadside terrace, a secluded courtyard, and a large back garden with its very own bar.
The Avalon, 16 Balham Hill, SW12 9EB
The Hope
Beers with a view of Wandworth Common. Dog-friendly.
The Hope, 1 Bellevue Road, SW17 7EG
The Nightingale
Built in 1853, this cottage-style pub is steeped in character. The garden features a charcoal barbecue.
The Nightingale, 97 Nightingale Lane, SW12 8NX
The Devonshire
This ‘Secret’ bar garden is one of the biggest in Balham — head here for al fresco dinners and barbecues.
The Devonshire, 39 Balham High Road, SW12 9AN
Earlsfield/ Tooting
Leather Bottle
300 year-old pub with an immense beer garden, beach huts and outdoor games.
Leather Bottle, 538 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW17 ONY
The Antelope
Now has a restaurant in the refurbished garage in its spacious and sunny yard. With Sunday roasts, a fireplace and a quiz night.
The Antelope, 76 Mitcham Road, SW17 9NG
The Selkirk
Large lawn and decking area.
The Selkirk, 60 Selkirk Road, SW17 0ES
Streatham
Pratts & Payne
Deep sofas, decent beers and a pretty courtyard garden out back that’s a little bit of a sun trap.
Pratts & Payne, 103 Streatham High Road, SW16 1HJ
The Bull
Renovated a few years back, The Bull is home to a sizeable pub garden filled with plenty of seats and colourful sheds available for private hire.
The Bull, 498 Streatham High Road, SW16 3QB
Sutton
The Hope
A courtyard, large decked garden and mini-orchard, all at the rear of the pub.
The Hope, 48 West Street, Carshalton SM5 2PR
Croydon
The Builders Arms
Traditional-looking pub, with a beer garden and live sports shown on big screens inside.
The Builders Arms, Leslie Park Road, Croydon CR0 6TP
Clapham
The Windmill on the Common
This country-style pub is always bustling on the weekend. It’s got a spacious conservatory and generous garden located right on Clapham Common.
The Windmill on the Common, Windmill Drive, SW4 9DE
The King & Co
Trendy craft beer pub with food pop ups and a small terrace at the front.
The King & Co, Clapham Park Road, SW4 7BZ
Brixton
Hope & Anchor
Verging more on bar territory, but this is (we reckon) one of the best beer gardens in Brixton. It’s huge, with a campfire and a circle of tiki huts you can book out individually.
Hope & Anchor, 123 Acre Lane, Brixton, SW2 5UA
Trinity Arms
Voted by Londonist readers as one of the best pubs in Brixton, with a handsome interior and healthy-sized beer garden — they call it ‘hidden’, but we say, not very.
Trinity Arms, 45 Trinity Gardens, Brixton, SW9 8DR
Duke of Edinburgh
A popular choice amongst Brixtonites, with a huuuuuge garden with a Glastonbury-esque feel — hay on the ground, fell tree benches and an outside kitchen.
Duke of Edinburgh, 204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG
The Falcon
Out the back you’ll find yourself in a tropical(ish) paradise. Or hang around in the front garden and watch the Clapham wildlife.
The Falcon, 33 Bedford Road, Clapham, SW4 7SQ
The Landor
Clean cut pub with a bushy beer garden hosting al fresco parties in the summer.
The Landor, 70 Landor Road, SW9 9PH
Hackney Wick/ Stratford/ Leytonstone
Crate Brewery
Set up in an old factory with canal-side drinking and pizza.
Crate Brewery & Pizzeria, Unit 7 Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, E9 5EN
Howling Hops
Huge beer tanks behind the bar and plenty of sun-drenched benches outside. If there’s any sun.
Howling Hops, Unit 9A Queen’s Yard, White Post Lane, E9 5EN
The Red Lion
Shabby chic London boozer with ales, British food — great beer garden with graffitied walls and table football under a covered area.
The Red Lion, 640 High Road Leytonstone, E11 3AA
The Birkbeck Tavern
Local pub with a walled garden.
The Birkbeck Tavern, 45 Langthorne Road, E11 4HL
The Cuckfield
There’s a conservatory and generous beer garden within this former 19th-century coaching inn.
The Cuckfield, 31 High Street, E11 2AA
The Forest Tavern
Naturally, in Forest Gate, this sizeable Antic pub hides a good-sized beer garden to the rear.
The Forest Tavern, 173 Forest Lane, E7 9BB
The Nightingale
A cosy pub with benches outside. Plant yourself down.
The Nightingale, 51 Nightingale Lane, E11 2EY
Clapton
Princess of Wales
This rural pub sits on the edge of Hackney and Leyton, with views of the River Lea from one side, and large areas of parkland on the other. A city escape in the city.
Princess of Wales, 146 Lea Bridge Road, E5 9RB
The Crooked Billet
This Clapton gem has a nicely sized beer garden, with sheltered huts and outside screens so you can catch the game and some rays. Winner.
The Crooked Billet, 84 Upper Clapton Road, E5 9JP
London Fields/ Mile End/ Bethnal Green
Royal Inn on the Park
Steeped in history, this magnificent place has a small beer garden.
Royal Inn on the Park, 111 Lauriston Road, E9 7HJ
Pub on the Park
Like it says on the tin, located right on the edge of London Fields, this is the perfect summer drinking/ partying spot, with a huge park-sided beer garden, with boules — plus dancing and DJs inside on the weekends.
Pub on the Park, 19 Martello Street, E8 3PE
Bethnal Green Tavern
Recently renovated east end boozer (formerly The Misty Moon) with an enclosed beer garden.
Bethnal Green Tavern, 456 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0EA
The Old George
If all the studied tattiness isn’t your thing, there’s a slightly more polished anteroom and a pretty big beer garden out the back.
The Old George, 379 Bethnal Green Road, E2 0AN
The Carpenter’s Arms
Set in the heart of Brick Lane, it’s nice and airy with lots of large windows, global beers and a tiny terrace tucked out behind some backrooms.
The Carpenter’s Arms, 73 Cheshire Street, E2 6EG
Shoreditch/Hoxton/Haggerston/Dalston
The Red Lion
Cracking suntrap of a rooftop seating area, but you have to carry your pint all the way up. Don’t try when you’re tipsy.
The Red Lion, 41 Hoxton Square, N1 6NH
Old Fountain
With craft and cask ales aplenty — and a smallish roof terrace.
Old Fountain, 3 Baldwin Street, EC1V 9NU
The Crown and Shuttle
Has a surprisingly large beer garden.
The Crown and Shuttle, 226 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PJ
The Talbot
Seating around the front and the back, plus a little balcony upstairs too.
The Talbot, 109 Mortimer Road N1 4JY
The Scolt Head
Grab a craft beer and head out to the ivy-clad garden out the back, with its own lamppost.
The Scolt Head, 107A Culford Road, N1 4HT
Tower Bridge
The Mayflower
Another riverside pub vying for the ‘Oldest Pub on The Thames’ title. With a tiny Thames-side terrace.
The Mayflower, 117 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 4NF
The Town of Ramsgate
This ship-like riverside pub claims to be the oldest pub on The Thames — where James II’s famous Hanging Judge was captured back in the 17th century.
The Town of Ramsgate, 62 Wapping High Street, St Katharine’s & Wapping, E1W 2PN
The Dickens Inn
With a great location at the heart of St Katharine’s Dock, this waterside pub boasts tiered balconies, hanging flower baskets and, blissfully, not a car in sight.
The Dickens Inn, Marble Quay, St Katharine’s Way, E1W 1UH
The Captain Kidd
This old warehouse has large windows overlooking The Thames — plus a large yard downstairs right by the river.
The Captain Kidd, 108 Wapping High Street, E1W 2NE
Old Salt Quay
A modern converted warehouse overlooking the Thames
Old Salt Quay, 163 Rotherhithe Street, SE16 5QU
Prospect of Whitby
One of London’s most famous pubs, from the 1520s. With a sought-out drinking terrace out the back.
Prospect of Whitby, 57 Wapping Wall, E1W 3SH
Canary Wharf
The Gun, Coldharbour
Located right on the river. Boom!
The Gun, Coldharbour, 27 Coldharbour, Poplar, E14 9NS
Clerkenwell/Farringdon/The City
The Fence
There are better pubs in the area, but this is one of the few with a beer garden at the back.
The Fence, 67-69 Cowcross Street, Farringdon EC1M 6BP
Crown Tavern
No garden, but lots of outside space on the concrete, with tables
Crown Tavern, 43 Clerkenwell Green, Clerkenwell, EC1R 0EG
The Argyle
Modern pub with a roof terrace area — rare for this part of town.
The Argyle, 1 Greville Street, EC1N 8PQ
The Old Bank of England
High ceilinged pub in the former Bank of England’s Law Courts
The Old Bank of England, 194 Fleet Street, EC4A 2LT
Ye Olde London
Has a pleasant courtyard space.
Ye Olde London, 42 Ludgate Hill, EC4M 7DE
Covent Garden
Punch and Judy
18th century pub with a roof terrace overlooking the piazza.
Punch and Judy, 40 The Market, Covent Garden, WC2E 8RF
Fitzrovia/Bloomsbury
The Carpenters Arms
Wood-panelled pub with a small roof terrace.
The Carpenters Arms, 68-70 Whitfield Street, Bloomsbury, W1T 4EY
The Grafton Arms
19th-century Bloomsbury pub with real ales and a nice little back terrace.
The Grafton Arms, 72 Grafton Way, Bloomsbury, W1T 5DU
Waterloo
Doggett’s Coat & Badge
Named after the 300 year old boat race (oldest in the world) that hits the Thames every July. with summer barbecues in the beer garden out the back.
Doggett’s Coat & Badge, 1 Blackfriars Bridge, SE1 9UD
Founder’s Arms
The riverside views says it all.
Founder’s Arms, 52 Hopton Street, SE1 9JH
Rose & Crown
One of central London’s biggest beer gardens, although new development means it’s sadly in the shade most times.
Rose & Crown, 47 Colombo Street, SE1 8DP
Vauxhall
The Fentiman Arms
Great split level beer garden with covered decking for when it rains, patio heaters for when it’s cold, and trees giving natural shade for when it’s sunny.
The Fentiman Arms, 64 Fentiman Road, Oval, SW8 1LA
Prince of Wales
No beer garden as such, but you’re allowed to take your drinks onto the grass of the square. Apparently, it’s ‘amazeballs’.
Prince of Wales, Cleaver Square, SE11 4EA
Southwark
The Anchor Bankside
Popular tourist pub with riverside beer garden, plus roof terrace.
The Anchor Bankside, 34 Park Street, SE1 9EF
The Old Thameside
Raised seating area overlooking the river.
The Old Thameside, Pickfords Wharf, Clink Street, SE1 9DG
The Mudlark
With a concreted drinking area to side of pub.
The Mudlark, Montague Close, SE1 9DA
The George Inn
The yard is given over to seating at this historic pub.
The George Inn, The George Inn Yard, 77 Borough High Street, SE1 1NH
The Horniman
This former tea warehouse offers riverside drinking with good view of the City.
The Horniman, Hay’s Galleria, Hays Galleria, 18-19 Battle Bridge Lane, SE1 2HD
Woolpack
A narrow little pub with a nice little garden out the back.
Woolpack, 98 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UB
The Roebuck
Victorian pub with a cosy beer garden
The Roebuck, 50 Great Dover Street, SE1 4YG
Camberwell
The Sun
Trendy pub with a garden in the front and back.
The Sun, 61-63 Coldharbour Lane, Camberwell, SE5 9NS
Fox on the Hill
This Wetherspoon hosts a large garden on a slope, featuring a statue of its namesake.
Fox on the Hill, 149 Denmark Hill, Camberwell, SE5 8EH
Peckham
Frank’s
Okay… yes bar — but it’s pretty epic. On top of multistorey car park, with vast city views, this makes for a killer sunset spot. Only open through summer.
Frank’s, 95A Rye Lane, SE15 4ST
The Rye
Lovely green garden that’s part deck, part grass. Has table tennis.
The Rye, 31 Peckham Rye, SE15 3NX
New Cross
The New Cross House
Spacious local with a decked beer garden.
The New Cross House, 316 New Cross Road, SE14 6AF
Herne Hill/ Dulwich
Florence
Upmarket bar with a decked garden.
Florence, 131-133 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0NG
The Plough
Large pub with a conservatory, outdoor decked area and barbecues in the summer.
The Plough, 381 Lordship Lane, Dulwich, SE22 8JJ
The Herne Tavern
A true pub ‘garden’, filled with flowers, fruit trees and herb planters (and a couple of very happy bees during the summer months, too).
The Herne Tavern, 2 Forest Hill Road, Dulwich, SE22 0RR
The Railway Tavern
A no frills pub with tree houses out the back
The Railway Tavern, 7 Station Rise, Tulse Hill, SE27 9BW
The Rosendale
There’s a huge beer garden at this former coaching inn.
The Rosendale, 65 Rosendale Road, SE21 8EZ
Dulwich Wood House
A smart pub in leafy Dulwich with a smartly preened beer garden with cute wooden huts.
Dulwich Wood House, 39 Sydenham Hill, SE26 6RS
Bridge House
A two-tiered beer garden — heck yes!
Bridge House, 2 High Street, SE20 8RZ
Swan & Mitre
Georgian pub with guest beers and sports.
Swan & Mitre, 260-262 High Street, Bromley, BR1 1PG
The Dolphin
Spacious lawned beer garden with preened hedges, it feels a bit like a scene out of Alice In Wonderland (if you forget about the brick walls behind you).
The Dolphin, 121 Sydenham Road, SE26 5HB
West Norwood
The Paxton
Modern bar with a edgy walled beer garden, and outdoor tent projections.
The Paxton, 255 Gipsy Road, West Norwood, SE27 9QY
Crystal Palace
The Alma
Excellent ales and a massive garden out back.
The Alma, 95 Church Road, Upper Norwood, SE19 2TA
Walker Briggs
One of two Antic pubs on this street (the other is Westow House, whose outdoor seating all faces onto the road). This place has a small beer garden to the rear, away from the traffic.
Walker Briggs, 23 Westow Hill, SE19 1TQ
Hither Green
Ladywell Tavern
The tavern has had a makeover; now it’s all about top quality wine, acoustic live music. It still has that nice little beer garden with wooden benches.
Ladywell Tavern, 80 Ladywell Road, Ladywell, SE13 7HS
The Station
Serving up real ales and a sunny courtyard.
The Station, 14 Staplehurst Road, Hither Green, SE13 5NB
Jolly Farmers
A great local pub with real character.
Jolly Farmers, 354 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6LE
Blackheath
The Princess Of Wales
This Victorian pub has a part-covered and heated garden.
The Princess Of Wales, 1a Montpelier Row, Blackheath, SE3 0RL
The Dacre Arms
A friendly local ‘old man’s pub’.
The Dacre Arms, 11 Kingswood Place, Blackheath, SE13 5BU
The Railway
A local pub with a roof terrace and board games for the winter months.
The Railway, 16 Blackheath Village, Blackheath, SE3 9LE
British Oak
Classic British pub, with craft ales, wood panelled walls and a beer garden with live chickens (yes indeed).
British Oak, 109 Old Dover Road, Blackheath, SE3 8SU
Greenwich
The Vanbrugh
This local pub is middle class all the way, with a lunchtime mums and babies club and a lawned garden.
The Vanbrugh, 91 Colomb Street, Greenwich, SE10 9EZ
Cutty Sark
Over 200 years old, and full of (tasteful) nauticalia, this pub comes with a great riverside terrace.
Cutty Sark, 4-6 Ballast Quay, SE10 9PD
Old Brewery
This Greenwich gastropub serves seasonal British food, decent beers and boasts a nice outdoor terrace.
Old Brewery, The Pepys Building, The Old Royal Naval College, Greenwich, SE10 9LW
The Gipsy Moth
This small pub has a very decent patio garden with retractable roof.
The Gipsy Moth, 60 Greenwich Church Street, SE10 9BL
Richard I
With streetside seating and a large beer garden, heated in the winter. This place has had a recent revamp and now includes the garden and rooms from the former Greenwich Union next door.
Richard I, 52-54 Royal Hill, SE10 8RT
The Guildford Arms
With a sunken decked beer garden.
The Guildford Arms, 55 Guildford Grove, SE10 8JY
Woolwich
Dial Arch
Lots of tables out front so you can sit in the sun, but often people sit on the grassy square that Dial Arch borders.
Dial Arch, Major Draper Street, Woolwich, SE18 6GH
Danson Stables
Converted 18th-century stables
Danson Stables, Danson Park, Bexley Heath, DA6 8HL
