The best beer gardens in London

Summer is nearly here, so what better way to enjoy the sunshine?

Warm weather in the capital gives pub landlords a slight conundrum: focus on sprucing up their outdoor areas or miss out on those wishing to bask in the (relatively) warm glow of a relaxing al-fresco Sunday roast. In fact, it seems like there’s a growing trend to improve whatever outdoor space a London boozer may have – even if it means the tiny concrete sun terrace at the back, or a hastily decked roof top bar. Here’s my pick of seven of the very best, which have perfectly captured the essence of Summer in the City.

The White Hart, Stoke Newington

With Stoke Newington’s rapid rise in gentrification, you’d expect to find a whole host of pubs gearing up for the onslaught of hipsters, thirsty for a few jars of expensive craft ale. The White Hart on Stoke Newington High Street has seemingly jumped in first and done it properly – creating a wonderfully leafy outdoor area in the process. In fact, it goes beyond this and is effectively the pub equivalent of The Secret Garden, with its ivy-covered walls, ornate paving and warming atmosphere. An absolute gem of North London.

http://whitehartstokenewington.com/

Freemasons Arms, Hampstead

When you’re located right next to Hampstead Heath, any pub garden is going to be placed resolutely in the shade, but The Freemason’s Arms has created its own area of al-fresco perfection. There’s substantial room for families to really stretch out around the perfectly maintained terraces and enjoy a pre-roast heath jaunt on a Sunday. Inside, the pub has one of London’s only remaining traditional skittles alleys and the garden outside used to be used for lawn billiards.

http://www.freemasonsarms.co.uk/

The Dolphin, Sydenham

From the outside, this South London pub doesn’t look that remarkable, but the outdoor area to its rear has been transformed by local garden designers from a slabbed over smoking terrace into a glorious zen-like garden area, complete with little maze-style hedges that conveniently section off cosy dining tables. The pub has become something of a home for local parent groups and the occasional ‘Sarf London’ celebrity, including the likes of Timothy Spall.

http://www.thedolphinsydenham.com

Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

It’s almost hard to tell where the cosy indoors of the Faltering Fullback end and the garden green-fingeredness begins, in what is probably best described as an eccentric collection of mezzanine levels, palms and hanging baskets. In fact, the entire building seems to have succumbed to the undergrowth. Coupled with its Irish-style hospitality and menu of Thai food, the Fullback is arguably the leafiest, most bonkers pub in London – and – as a result, one of the most unique.

http://thefullback.co.uk/

The Gypsy Moth, Greenwich

The Gypsy Moth is a classic Grade II listed building, coupled with an outdoor terrace, which has enough room for 200 revellers. Its location means that it is a perfect destination for a weekend jaunt to the local Greenwich market. Fortuitously, a handy retractable roof means you can enjoy a pint and the bloody awesome view of the Cutty Sark whatever the weather. There’s also the promise of a decent barbeque over the coming months, so well worth making the commute down the Thames to explore further.

http://www.thegipsymothgreenwich.co.uk/

The Crabtree, Hammersmith

Whilst the Gypsy Moth can revel in the splendour of Greenwich’s nautical heritage, The Crabtree, situated right on the banks of the Thames in Hammersmith is riverside drinking at its finest. With its huge weeping willow trees, umbrellas and suitably chilled out bonhomie, from a certain angle, the pub could have easily been mistaken as the inspiration for Renoir’s Luncheon Of The Boating Party – albeit, slightly updated by the odd blazer, pint glass and polo shirt.

http://www.metropolitanpubcompany.com/the-crabtree/

The Russet, Hackney

Ok, so not strictly a pub, but more of a café/arts space located at an old industrial printworks in Hackney. Its very hip outdoor area is hidden through a large ovular window and doubles as a kitchen garden (complete with apple tree) and a home for the café’s pet quails. There are also regular community events happening, from music nights to art exhibitions.

http://eatworkart.com/the-russet/