When the sun is shining and summer is in full swing there's no better place to be in London than in a beer garden. Here are some we recommend for a perfect summer's day out.
North
The Constitution
42 St Pancras Way, NW1
020-7387 4805
Tube Camden Town + 7mins
Vibe Not too trendy, but not
too seedy.
Tuck in Chips, chilli and cheese for £4.95 is a hit.
Your shout Real ale on tap, pints from £2.70 and wine from £2.75/£3.50 a glass.
Get off your *** because ... there's a lovely beer garden overlooking the canal.
The Freemasons Arms
32 Downshire Hill, NW3
020-7433 6811
Tube Hampstead + 8 mins
Vibe Beautifully appointed interior with friendly service.
Tuck in Great gastro menu - try the lamb shank with chorizo and pea and mint mash for £13.
Your Shout Pints of lager from £2.90, bitters from £2.95 and house wine for £3/£4.20 a glass.
Get off your *** because ... there's a massive beer garden right on Hampstead Heath.
Flask
77 Highgate West Hill, N6
020-8348 7346
Tube Highgate + 7 mins
Vibe A friendly village pub in the heart of Highgate with an alfresco bar in summer.
Tuck in The Sunday roast comes piled high and is hard to resist.
Your Shout Pints from £2.95 and a bottle of wine from £10.50.
Get off your *** because ... the large beer garden is so busy in the summer that people spill onto the grassy knoll opposite.
South
The White Horse
1-3 Parson's Green, SW6
020-7736 2115
Tube Parsons Green + 1 min
Vibe Spacious, airy and relaxed.
Tuck in The menu never dulls with new specials every day.
Your Shout Pints from £2.60, house wine from £3.50 a glass.
Get off your *** because ... boozing in the sunshine with a view across the green is pure gold.
The Boathouse
Brewhouse Ln, SW15
020-8789 0476
Tube Putney Bridge + 3 mins
Vibe Cosy bar with a beer garden out the front for boozing in the sunshine.
Tuck in Good mix of traditional Brit and international cuisine.
Your Shout Pints of bitter from £2.60, house wine starts from £3.55 a glass.
Get off your *** because ... it's smack bang on the Thames.
The Sun
47 Old Town, SW4
020-7622 4980
Tube Clapham Common + 3 mins
Vibe Trendy and upmarket, this pub is popular with the suit brigade after work.
Tuck in A decent menu best enjoyed at lunch or weekdays when it's not too busy.
Your Shout All the usual suspects behind the bar, but a little pricey.
Get off your *** because ... in summer the crowd spills onto the street, joining The Rose across the road with plenty of revelry.
East
Vibe Bar
91-95 Brick Ln, E1
020-7426 0491
Tube Aldgate East + 8 mins
Vibe Plenty of tables in the massive beer garden for a few frothies with your mates.
Tuck in Staff fire up the barbecue for weekend lunches, and dinners cost £2.50-£6.
Your Shout Pints, house wine and spirits all from £3.20.
Get off your *** because ... of the killer weekend barbies combined with the funky vibe.
The Fence
67-69 Cowcross St, EC1
020-7250 3414
Tube Farringdon + 1 min
Vibe Plenty of room, with a terrace and garden complete with palm trees.
Tuck in Gastro fare such as salmon wrapped in Parma ham and good-value fish platters.
Your Shout A pretty limited selection of beers from £3.10, but enough choice to whet the whistle at least.
Get off your *** because ... it's one of the only beer gardens in Farringdon, and just round the corner from Fabric if you want to charge up at the start of a big night out.
Pub on the Park
19 Martello St, E8
020-7275 9586
Tube Bethnal Green + 20 mins
Vibe Families, friends and the odd bloke strumming an acoustic.
Tuck in Delish Sunday roasts.
Your Shout Belgian beers behind the bar are a highlight.
Get off your *** because ... you can choose between the beer garden or wander off with your pint to the lush, green park next door.
West
The Cove
1 The Piazza, WC2
020-7836 8336
Tube Covent Garden + 1 min
Vibe Low ceilings, comfy couches and the aroma of West Cornwall Pasties below.
Tuck in Good pub fare, or order a pasty from the shop downstairs.
Your Shout A good selection of Cornish ales on tap. Beware, they're potent - a couple of pints will get you well on your way!
Get off your *** because ... the tables on the outdoor terrace are perfect for seeing all the action in the piazza.
Queen Mary
Waterloo Pier, WC2
020-7240 9404
Tube Embankment + 2 mins
Vibe Boozing on a boat on the Thames - does it get any better?
Tuck in You can't beat the £7 fish and chips in this nautical setting.
Your Shout Sip on a pint up on deck or hit the cocktails at Hornblowers nightclub.
Get off your *** because... you can blame the waves for your rocking motion.
The Old Ship
25 Upper Mall, W6
020-8748 2593
Tube Ravenscourt Park + 3 mins
Vibe Perfect in summer, with picnic tables and plenty of grass to laze on in the sun.
Tuck in Tasty mains from £7.90.
Your Shout Pints from £3.10 as well as tasty cocktails. Try the Oscar Wild (£5.10).
Get off your *** because ... this place has a great view over the River Thames.