Explore the city,
January 23 2024
After a winter of cosy pub fireplaces, the beer garden comes into its own when the sun reappears. Sometimes, soaking up the late afternoon and evening sunshine in a lovely pub garden hits just the right spot. Some London beer gardens have impressive food and music, others are in prime central locations or have incredible city views. Here’s our pick of the best beer gardens in London that offer something unique.
This huge beer garden in Shoreditch makes this East End boozer a winning spot when the sun makes an appearance. The Crown and Shuttle specialises in craft beer by the bottle with Meantime tankbeer on keg too. Inside is industrial and quirky, with a nod to its past life as a strip club. Outside, there’s room for plenty of tables and a couple of food trucks. But be warned, this place gets busy quickly, so it’s worth arriving before local office workers finish for the day and arrive for a post-work pint. The food trucks serve hearty burgers, subs and nachos, and the aroma is hard to resist.
Just off Borough High Street, The George Inn is London’s last galleried coaching inn, dating back to the 17th century. When it was a coffeehouse, Charles Dickens was a regular, and it features in Little Dorrit. Today, the large cobblestone courtyard has to be one of the oldest beer gardens in London. It’s a glorious spot for a midweek pint or a Sunday roast in the sunshine. The pub’s wobbly wooden balconies, creaking staircases and the old serving hatch in the Parliament Bar give a glimpse into the pub’s long history. Do check them out when you pop in from the courtyard to order your drinks.
A London beer garden pit stop after a spot of shopping is a must. Close to Soho and Oxford Street, The Oxford Market has one of the biggest beer gardens in Central London. There’s a good chance you’ll get a seat, even at the weekend. As the terrace is at the front of the pub, you can choose your seat first, then order your drinks. Outdoor heaters and blankets make the terrace cosy even in winter, and the awning protects you from the almost inevitable spot of drizzle. There’s an excellent selection of beers on tap, delicious burgers and a large screen inside showing major sporting events like Six Nations and the FA Cup.
If you like your London beer gardens to have an amazing choice of food, then Flat Iron Square in London Bridge is a real find. There’s an abundance of street food stalls and a taproom and brewery all tucked under the railway arches. Outside, there are plenty of benches and tables to slide into with your drink and food – think pizza, tacos, ramen and barbecued delights. The taproom and brewery have an impressive list of craft beers, spirits and cocktails. Plus, the evening event calendar of weekly DJ nights, quizzes and live music means it’s a brilliant place to come if there’s a group of you looking for a fun night out in the evening sun.
We reckon this Covent Garden pub has one of the best pub gardens in London, and it has a fascinating history. Bow Street Tavern once kept prisoners in the basement cell, and it’s very much connected to the Bow Street Runners – London’s first police force. You get a nod to that as you walk through the entrance, which is a converted police box. The pub itself is full of beautiful historical features, which you’ll spot as you make your way up to the rooftop garden filled with large botanical plants and plush bench seats. From here, you get a wonderful view of the Royal Opera House, and there’s a retractable roof, so you can also sit up here in the colder months. With the bustling street below, you’re in a garden oasis only a lucky few realise exists.
Secure your spot in these top pub gardens in London where a pint and a slice of sunshine are waiting for you. You can also stay close to these sunny pubs thanks to a choice of central London Thistle Hotels. Thistle Holborn, Thistle Piccadilly and Thistle City Barbican are all nearby and put you just steps away from some of London’s top attractions too.
