The best beer gardens in London

What is it? A sprawling, multi-levelled Ewok village of drinking. 

Why we love it: While there are definitely bigger beer gardens to be found in the capital, the outdoor space at this well-loved, ivy-covered Finsbury Park local is certainly one of the cleverest. Faced with the difficulty of only having a small yard, the owners built upwards, not out – creating a tiered village from decking, with room on the various split levels for several tables. It’s an early-afternoon suntrap of the best kind.

Time Out tip: Go to Rowan’s when the sun goes in. 

Address: 19 Perth Road, Finsbury Park, N4 3HB.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12-11.30pm. 

What is it? This popular Brixton boozer has a whopper of a beer garden. One of the biggest in the area, in fact.

Why we love it: You'd never know it as you approach the pub from the street, but it's always a pleasant surprise to find such sprawling outdoor space attached to a comparatively pokey pub. 

Time Out tip: Food comes from Jerk Valley of London, and their Caribbean-inspired menu is perfect for munching on while sat in the sunshine.

Address: 204 Ferndale Rd, Brixton, SW9 8AG.

Opening hours: Sun-Mon 12-11pm, Tue-Thu 3-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-12am.

What is it? One of north London’s most famous pubs.

Why we love it: It’s all historic and haunted (allegedly) inside this iconic Highgate villager boozer, but on a sunny day the patio out front in the place to be. Pretty as a picture postcard and packed out with a posho crowd who can sink their spritzes with the best of them. 

Time Out tip: You’re only a short stroll from the magical Highgate Cemetery. Combine the two, by visiting the graves then sinking the pints. 

Address: 77 Highgate West Hill, Highgate Village, N6 6BU.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12-10.30pm.

What is it? Find a sun-trap riverside Twickenham terrace across from this charming 17th century pub.

Why we love it: Because the Thames laps at the slipways either side of you, and views of boaters and weeping willows stretch both ways. There's a gas-fired barbecue on sunny weekends, and to drink, choose from beery output from south west London brewers and local cider on draught. If it gets chilly, step back inside, where you can find entertainment ranging from live music to quiz nights.

Time Out tip: Take a trip to the endlessly fascinating Eel Pie Island, which is within paddling distance from the pub. 

Address: Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN.

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 11am-11.30pm, Sun-Mon 11am-10.30pm.

What is it: A roomy beer garden with lots of big screens for sports (we say ‘sports’, we mean ‘football’).

Why we love it: If Arsenal are playing, it’s usually standing room only in the beer garden, but don’t let that put you off. Order Yard Sale to your table at this old-school independent spot in the Gooner heartlands, where the atmosphere is as friendly as its name suggests.

Time Out tip: You might find it hard to part with your pint, but the mezcal negroni here is the ideal beer garden beverage.

Address: 226 Blackstock Road, Highbury, London N5 1EA.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 3-12pm, Fri 3pm-1am, Sat 12pm-1am, Sun 12pm-12am.

What is it? This Lewisham legend is known for its sprawling back yard just as much for its diverse offering of live music.

Why we love it: From drum‘n’bass forefathers to reggae greats, this pub has some serious gig action on offer. Outside in the buzzy beer garden you can grab a pizza and pint and get ready to be charmed by the Fox & Firkin's raucous, but always friendly, clientele. 

Time Out tip: There is, believe it or not, a restored 1950s Kent and East Sussex 1st Class train carriage in garden and you can hire it for private bashes.

Address: 316 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JZ.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 3-11pm, Thu 3-12pm, Fri-Sat 3-12pm, Sun 12-11pm.

What is it? Halfway between Upper Street and the Caledonian Road, this Georgian boozer has an olde-worlde English charm.

Why we love it: It’s far enough from the main thoroughfares to ensure there’s barely a whisper of traffic noise to be heard in its walled beer garden, with its trees and colourful flowers. 

Time Out tip: There’s a decent gastropub energy here, with a weekly changing menu of seasonal plates. Get something nice to nibble when you’re lounging in the garden. There might even be a barbecue on. 

Address: 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, N1 1HW.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 12-11pm, Sat-Sun 12-10.30pm. 

What is it? This historic Hampstead Heath stunner has got something for everyone: an idyllic location, a ghost-filled back story, and even a dog wash for post-Heath pooches.

Why we love it:  In winter, there are roaring fires and creakingly romantic nooks; in summer, it’s all about the gorgeous 400-seater garden, with its raised terraces, greenery-covered walls, and open-sided, fairy-lit huts (heated on cold days). There’s also an outside bar serving jugs of Pimm’s. To eat, head for the barbie, which gets fired up when flip-flop weather comes around. 

Time Out tip: Visit the pub after a summery dip in Hampstead Heath Ponds. You’ve earned it. 

Address: Spaniards Road, NW3 7JJ.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 12-10.30pm.

What is it? Located opposite leafy Brockwell Park, this stylishly refurbished local has to offer a better-than-average outdoor space.

Why we love it: This locals’ local is permanently rammed all year round, so booking is a must, especially on Sundays. The rear patio has a dedicated bar, free-standing heaters and hosts weekend barbecues in the summer. 

Time Out tip: Visit the pub after a dip in the stunning Brockwell Lido.

Address: 133 Dulwich Road, Herne Hill, SE24 0NG.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 12-10pm.

What is it? A one time topper of Time Out's best pub in London list (2024). 

Why we love it: An excellent pub, with a majestic beer garden to match. This spot on the fringes of Stokey and Dalston is huge, with covered seating and a lovely mural that depicts people milling about a picturesque park. Fittingly, there are enough uncovered benches for an entire squadron.

Time Out tip: Get there extremely early if you want an outdoor table on Arsenal matchday. Or any other big football game for that matter. 

Address: 1-3 Matthias Road, Mayville Estate, N16 8NN.

Opening hours: 12-11pm. 

What is it? A handsome pub on a quiet back road in Hackney.

Why we love it: Its exterior is like something on a postcard from the countryside – all light lilac frontage and classic lampposts. While winter months are about hunkering down by one of two log burners, the walled garden at the rear comes into its own whenever a heatwave hits. Hungry punters can order in from nearby Yard Sale pizza, but it’s mostly the local drinks that interest customers, with an ever-changing range of six beers, two ales and one cider. 

Time Out tip: The best beer garden table in the joint is the one at the back, under the tree. If you know, you know. 

Address: 15 Mehetabel Road, E9 6DU.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 4-11pm, Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10.30pm.

What is it? Popular with big groups, this historic riverside pub has a huge decked garden.

Why we love it: There are five heated booths, a covered area, a dedicated outdoor bar, and an all-day gourmet barbecue at weekends. If the weather thwarts the alfresco fun, compromise with a table in the large, glass-roofed garden room, which offers views over the Thames without gusty breezes or sudden showers.

Time Out tip: This is a proper rugby pub, so come here to enjoy the Six Nations. 

Address: 41 Jews Row, Wandsworth, SW18 1TB.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am. 

What is it? A hacienda-style garden that backs on to Victoria Park.

Why we love it: Whatever you do, do not just pop in here for ‘a quick pint’ – this forward-thinking destination takes its beer seriously. It’s like drinking in the park, but without having to periodically wander around looking for a loo. There are two outdoor bars – with one tap for draught, and another for cocktails – later this summer self-service beer kiosks will be arriving.

Time Out tip: This isn’t a chill beer garden. This is a DJs and barbecues and rowdy behaviour beer garden. They recently hosted a Disclosure album launch.

Address: 360 Victoria Park Road, E9 7BT.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 12pm-12am, Fri-Sat 12pm-2am. 

What is it? A posh parkland paradise in Islington.

Why we love it: A regular haunt of former local resident George Orwell, this was one of three pubs to provide him with inspiration for ‘The Moon Under Water’, an essay on the criteria for the perfect London watering hole. In the walled garden, you can grab a bench and munch on goodies from the seafood shack and grab drinks from the outdoor bar. You need never go indoors ever again!

Time Out tip: The garden closes at 9.30pm, with the last table bookings at 8.30pm, so get in before then. 

Address: 21 Canonbury Place, N1 2NS.

Opening hours: Mon-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Fri 11am-midnight, Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 12-11pm. 

What is it? Battersea’s Magic Garden surely wins the prize for the quirkiest beer garden in London.

Why we love it: its alfresco space has a hippy faux-festival vibe, with an enormous tent-like tarpaulin sheltering a mish-mash of squishy sofas and upright thrones (with blankets and hot water bottles in lieu of heavy-duty heaters); a fairy-lit patio area with an outdoor bar; and even a taxi that’s been given a flower-power makeover. Cocktails and bar snacks are the way to go if you want to eat, but don’t let it distract you from The Magic Garden’s raison d’etre: almost nightly live music sessions.

Time Out tip: The second Thursday of every month is an all-comers-welcome blues jam. Turn up and get stuck in. 

Address: 231 Battersea Park Road, SW11 4LG.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 10.30am-12am, Fri-Sat 10.30am-2am.

What is it? One of east London’s best kept pub secrets.

Why we love it: The Anchor & Hope is right on the banks of the Lea and full of characters – including lots of folk who dwell on the boats moored nearby. The pub itself is tiny, but it’s the outdoor benches right by the water where everyone wants to sit. A beer garden that isn’t quite a garden, but gives you all of the joys of the great outdoors anyway, from watching baby ducks on the canal to shouting encouragingly at red-faced rowers.  

Time Out tip: Tie your pub visit in with a wander around the vast and lovely Walthamstow Wetlands.

Address: 15 High Hill Ferry, Clapton, E5 9HE.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1-11pm, Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10.30pm.

What is it? This spacious Stokey boozer offers a huge, two tier garden (one patio, one lawned).

Why we love it: The sheer size of it. There’s loads of space for locals to relax and refresh. Grab a big glass of rose with a couple of ice cubes, then launch into the bar menu of sharing plates large and small (plus poshed-up pub staples) for alfresco eating.

Time Out tip: If you don't fancy the food here, stroll over to Sonora Taqueria for some of the best tacos in town.

Address: 69 Stoke Newington High Street, Stoke Newington, N16 8EL.

Opening hours: Mon-Tue 4-11pm, Wed-Thu 3-11pm, Fri-Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 12-10pm.

What is it? A country pub in the middle of Tottenham Hale. 

Why we love it: The beer garden at the Ferry Boat Inn will transport you to the wilds of the Kentish or Sussex countryside - or, at the very least, the green belt. Inside the pub is pretty unexciting, but outside you’ll get breezy views of the River Lea and the nearby nature park, as well as visits from all manner of wildlife. Surprisingly charming. 

Time Out tip: Come here after a stroll around the equally outdoorsy Walthamstow Wetlands. 

Address: Ferry Lane, Tottenham Hale, N17 9NG.

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-11pm, Fri-Sat 11am-12am. 

What is it? This smartened-up boozer attracts an aspirational clientele yet still manages to feel like a good old-fashioned pub.

Why we love it: In summer, the best place from which to enjoy its offerings is the small, fenced beer garden out front. Bad weather? Out comes the ‘jumbrella’, a square parasol that covers half the garden. Rain or shine, you can sustain yourself here with well-priced ales; a brief but thoughtful wine list; and good, fairly priced British food that ranges from carefully sourced gastropub mains (think fish pie with curly kale, or beef stew with horseradish mash) to bar snacks including own-made sausage rolls and Scotch eggs of epic proportions.

Time Out tip: Go inside just before the garden closes if you want a table when the garden shuts, otherwise you’ll be stood for the rest of the night. Take it from one who knows. 

Address: 107A Culford Road, N1 4HT.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 12-11pm, Sat-Sun 12pm-midnight.

What is it? The rather small interior of this lively Camden institution gives way to an outdoor area that can cram in 300 sun-worshippers.

Why we love it: The high walls and an array of foliage give it a real garden feel, despite its position between a busy road and a railway line. If the weather’s dreary, grab one of the cosy side tables with their heaters, or shelter under the convenient mini-marquee and admire the fairy lights. The garden can get rammed with Regent’s Park-goers when the sun shines thanks to its outdoor bar and regular barbecues or hog roasts.

Time Out tip: Visit the park before your sesh. Regent’s Park is truly one of the most stunning spaces in London.

Address: 57 Mornington Terrace, Camden, NW1 7RU.

Opening hours: Mon-Sat 12-11pm, Sun 12-10pm.

What is it? A big old east London pub with a roomy beer garden to match.

Why we love it: Despite all of Clapton’s changes, the Crooked Billet remains a place for all E5-ers to enjoy. When the mercury rises, its massive garden becomes a big, boozy playground complete with beach-hut booths for groups, a ping-pong table and loads of plants and deckchairs for that Clapton-on-Sea feel. 

Time Out tip: This is a great pub for footie fixtures, with plenty of screens.

Address: 84 Upper Clapton Road, E5 9JP.

Opening hours: Sun-Wed 11am-11pm, Thu-Sat 11am-midnight.

What is it? A lovely locals pub by Bruce Grove station. 

Why we love it: Tucked away off the high street, The Beehive is a proud beacon of the Tottenham community and its beer garden is a treat. Popular on Spurs game days due to big screen tellys showing the match, it's also worth a visit on a more sedate sunny afternoon where you can sip away under blue skies and find a pocket of peace. 

Time Out tip: The outdoor bar sets in motion on match days for fast-as-possible pint action. 

Address: Stoneleigh Rd, Tottenham, N17 9BQ.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 3-11pm, Fri 3pm-midnight, Sat 12pm-midnight, Sun 12-10.30pm.