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We’ll try not to say it too loudly in case we scare off the sun, but the UK is on the cusp of spring and there are plenty of bright days ahead. And we all know what that means: a bev (or two) in a beer garden.
There are few things more disappointing than turning up to the pub, ready for an afternoon of Aperol and Pimms ’o’ clock, only to find the sunlight blocked by a nearby building or tree.
In those moments, we’re all thinking the same thing: if only there was a way to tell which boozers are soaking up some rays and which are hiding in the shadows at any given time. Well, as it turns out, there’s an app for that.
Sunseekr is an interactive map which tracks the sun exposure of pubs, cafes and restaurants in real time. Architect Mo Dawod launched the app last April using real-time shadow simulation, Mapbox navigation software and data from OpenStreetMap to develop its features, which you can use in real time and to plan ahead for later.
After expanding from London into the rest of the UK in August, you can now use Sunseekr anywhere in the world, with 25 cities including Paris, Milan, Sydney and New York all boasting their own lists of verified sunny spots.
The app has also undergone a serious makeover. Having been ‘completely rebuilt’ according to founder Dawod, Sunseekr now shows real-time sun exposure on individual terraces hour by hour, meaning there’s even more chance to get some colour in those cheeks this summer.
Plus, new features include weather-aware notifications and an explore page showing you verified sunny spots and the best beer gardens trending in each city. The new update allows users to add their summer faves to the map and improve its data.
In even better news for the tech-savvy among us, you could even double up with this interactive map showing happy hour in every London pub and bar. Cheap drinks in the sunshine guaranteed all summer long? You'll be unstoppable.
You can download the Sunseekr app for iOS and Android here.
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