The Best Beer Gardens in London

A good beer garden is more than a few benches behind a car park. The best London ones have a character of their own: a deck built upwards like a treehouse, a terrace on the Thames, a walled garden on the edge of a heath. Many are also usable well beyond summer, thanks to covered areas, heaters and huts. Here are ten worth planning an afternoon around, with notes on timing and warmth.

North London

The Faltering Fullback, Finsbury Park

Time Out named it the best beer garden in London in 2025, and it is easy to see why it stands out. The garden is built upwards on split-level decking, which Time Out describes as part treehouse, part Ewok village. It is at 19 Perth Road, N4, with Finsbury Park the nearest station. Seats are not always easy to find, so arrive early. Time Out suggests nipping to Rowans, the nearby bowling alley and bar, when the sun goes in. Check opening hours before you go.

The Army & Navy, Newington Green

A 1930s pub on Matthias Road, N16, with a huge garden, covered seating and a park mural. Time Out once named it its best pub in London. The advice here is firm: on Arsenal matchdays, and for other big football games, get there extremely early if you want an outdoor table. On a quiet weekday it is a far easier proposition.

The Flask, Highgate

Time Out counts it as an all-time beer garden classic. It is a historic gastropub on Highgate West Hill, N6, set in a leafy square, and the pub is formed from two buildings. Expect gastropub prices rather than corner-pub ones.

The Edinboro Castle, Camden

On Mornington Terrace, NW1, a short walk from Camden Town and pleasingly in the opposite direction from the market crowds. Time Out calls the garden huge, and the pub sits between the markets and Regent's Park. It has had a recent renovation with a reworked garden.

The Drapers Arms, Islington

This is a food-led garden rather than a big one. The Georgian pub on Barnsbury Street, N1, dates from the 1830s and appears in the 2026 Michelin Guide. Its tucked-away garden suits a summer meal more than a long session. Angel is the nearest area to aim for.

South and south-east London

The Ship, Wandsworth

A riverside garden on Jews Row, SW18, and DesignMyNight's pick for a waterside pint. The garden has its own bars and covered spaces for winter. It has a reputation for lively Sundays, so expect a crowd then.

The Actress, East Dulwich

On Crystal Palace Road, SE22, just off Lordship Lane. OpenTable says the garden comfortably seats more than 60 and runs year-round with outdoor heaters. It is also known for pizza from a wood-fired stone oven. A sensible choice for a cold, clear evening.

The Florence, Herne Hill

On Dulwich Road, SE24, opposite Brockwell Park and close to Herne Hill station. OpenTable says the decked garden fills quickly on warm afternoons. Time Out says the rear patio has its own bar, free-standing heaters and weekend barbecues in summer, and suggests a visit after a dip in Brockwell Lido.

South-west London

The White Swan, Twickenham

A Grade II-listed pub from around 1690, right on the Thames with views of Eel Pie Island. Time Out calls it ever-charming. Treat it as a charming riverside spot, not a vast one: the outdoor space is a modest patio along the water, so it rewards an early arrival.

Arriving early

• Match days: big football games make the Army & Navy extremely busy outdoors.
• Warm afternoons: The Florence's garden fills fast, and the same logic applies to any pub opposite a park.
• Sundays: riverside pubs like The Ship draw crowds for weekend sessions.
• Small spaces: a compact riverside patio fills quicker than a large garden, so go early.

Staying warm

DesignMyNight notes that many London beer gardens stay open all year thanks to covered areas, heated booths and outdoor huts. Of the ten above, The Actress and The Florence both have heaters, The Army & Navy has covered seating and The Ship has covered spaces for winter. If you want a hut of your own, DesignMyNight's winter picks include bookable heated huts at The Castle in Tooting, tiki-style cabins at The King's Arms in Wandsworth and fire pits at the Hope & Anchor in Brixton. Booking rules vary, so ask the pub.

What it costs

Pint prices vary by pub and change often, so check before you go. As a rough guide, a pint of Neck Oil has been listed at £6.90 in London, and gastropubs tend to charge more.

For more ideas, see DesignMyNight's beer garden roundup and Time Out's list. The White Swan's own site carries current food times.