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The merest glimmer of sun and the capital's drinking population goes plastic, ditching pint glasses in a bid to quaff copious amounts of alcohol outside on terraces, in beer gardens and around parks. London is packed with places perfect for al fresco drinking - all along the banks of the Thames, out in the suburbs and hidden away amid the concrete in the centre of town. Here's our pick of the bunch...
 The Albion 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW Haven of calm off the beaten track in Islington Tucked away in the heart of Georgian splendour that is tranquil Barnsbury - and seemingly far from the hustle bustle of Islington's cosmopolitan Upper Street - The Albion is a bastion of British pub gloriousness. Even on a wet, winter's day, there's enough to keep you coming back: creaking wood floorboards and faithfully restored panelled interiors with nooks and crannies galore, a great selection of beers and ales on tap, a punchy wine list and delicious fare coming from the kitchen (The Albion is the current winner of the Observer's best Sunday roast award). But in the summer, the French windows open onto over 450 sq metres of wisteria-ed English country garden which boast 20 tables, a covered veranda and lots of stone furniture. The pub's in a miraculously quiet spot and so even if the back garden is too busy, you might bag one of the numerous picnic benches out front alongside the sleepy Thornhill Road. If you catch The Albion when it's not too busy, this is one of the nicest places in the area for a summer drink. Address: 10 Thornhill Road, N1 1HW Phone: 020 7607 7450 Opening Times: Mon to Fri 11am-11pm, Sat 10am-11pm, Sun 10am-10.30pm | Summer BBQ 12nnon-6pm, Garden closes 10pm Nearest Station: Angel Tube The Albion - Information   At ProudThe Ginhouse, Stables Market, Camden, NW1 8AH Art, outdoor terrace, bits 'n' bobs and beer in Camden This stylish bar attached to a photography gallery was planning to be Camden's top celebrity nightspot. Unfortunately, The Hawley Arms opened at the same time, casually stealing all those skinny-jeaned rock stars from under their noses, and making the Proud Gallery look like it was just trying too hard. Here at LondonTown.com, however, we always thought it was really rather good, especially when the sun was out when the place has a Glastonburyish vibe going on. A huge outdoor terrace peppered with deck chairs is a welcome change to most run-of-the-mill beer gardens in town. There's lots of wierd art and bits 'n' bobs strewn around the whole place, the photography on the walls is way cool (and you can buy it if you have a hundred quid burning a hole in your pocket), and there are no glassy-eyed celeb-spotters frantically trying to decide if you're the bassist from Friendly Fires. With The Hawley Arms out of action last summer due to the Camden Market blaze, Proud rose like a phoenix from the ashes - and looks set to keep the punters rolling in. Address: The Ginhouse, Stables Market, Camden, NW1 8AH Phone: 020 7482 3867 Opening Times: Mon to Wed 11am-1.30am, Thu to Sat 11am-2.30am, Sun 11am-12.30am Nearest Station: Chalk Farm Tube At Proud - Information  The Captain Kidd108 Wapping High Street, E1W 2NE Old school boozer with superb views over the Thames The real magic of Wapping's riverside Captain Kidd pub is outside on the L-shaped patio. The Thames is rather narrow here and so the action seems all that closer as the water laps against the moored ships and the setting sun is reflected off the mirror-like walls of nearby Canary Wharf. If you ever get the chance to be here when it's not busy, you'll be amazed with the tranquillity of it all - it really is a breathtaking place to enjoy some summer night pints. As a Samuel Smith establishment the choice in beers, lagers, ales, cider and wine is naturally rather limited, but prices are ridiculously low, making up for the lack of variety. Bar food is rather stodgy and simple (nothing costs more than £6) but if you want something a bit more upmarket, head upstairs to The Gallows restaurant. If the terrace gets too busy, do take care because there's nothing but a small, low wall separating customers from a dicey drop into the Thames. While The Captain Kidd does not seem like much from outside - there is but a dainty sign hanging above a doorway and a small courtyard to be traversed before you enter the threshold - do persist because the exposed brick warehouse-style interior is quite something, and a trip through to the riverside terrace is a must for anyone living in or visiting London - especially if you've passed the pub before on a boat to or from Greenwich. Address: 108 Wapping High Street, E1W 2NE Phone: 020 7480 5759 Opening Times: Daily 11am-11pm Nearest Station: Shadwell DLR (Wapping Tube closed. Bus service operates) The Captain Kidd - Information  Duke of Edinburgh204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG Behemoth of a beer garden, bbqs and DJs in Brixton This pub has Brixton written all over it. Inside it's a fairly traditional wooden affair with some tidy long tables and sink-into-me armchairs. Weekend nights see DJs perking up clusters of young ones, office workers and locals. The real draw here though is the absolutely MASSIVE beer garden. Crammed with wooden tables, peppered with leafy trees and seething with youngsters, the Duke of Edinburgh is a real crowd-puller in the summer months. There are heaps of gas heaters scattered across the garden and every weekend the sweet smell of sausages roasting on the pub's BBQ wafts through the air. On balmy nights, it really is a great place to chat to your mates, sink a pint or two and soak up the infectious summer buzz. It's recently been placed under new management - fingers crossed they won't interfere with what has, up until now, been a very successful recipe for summertime drinking. Address: 204 Ferndale Road, SW9 8AG Phone: 020 7326 0301 Opening Times: Mon to Thu 12noon-12midnight, Fri & Sat 12noon-1am, Sun 12noon-11pm Nearest Station: Brixton Tube / Rail Duke of Edinburgh - Information  The Eagle215 Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 9AZ If Carlsberg made beer gardens... The home of one of West London's finest beer gardens, The Eagle has had an amusingly potty redesign by Geronimo Inns that has turned a shabby old Shepherd's Bush boozer into a riot of odd sculptures, patterned wallpaper and funky mood lighting. It works surprisingly well, with a cheery but still pub-like atmosphere, and a lovely terrace (heated, covered and complete with striking cast-iron railings and giant Victorian lanterns) overlooking the trim garden. Here there remains a small grass lawn at the end of a wood decking area covered in the odd pine table and the latest in contemporary outdoor furniture, including a trio of specially-made tables which rock back and forth without spilling your pints. Unfortunately, the outdoors area - which is clearly the pub's trump card - closes at 10pm. But if the outstanding beer garden wasn't enough to bring you to the slightly deleterious strip that is Askew Road, then an excellent bar menu (well-presented, tasty gastropub fare, if a little expensive), an interesting wine list, a decent selection of beers and a slightly quirky atmosphere should do the trick. Address: 215 Askew Road, Shepherd's Bush, W12 9AZ Phone: 020 8746 0046 Opening Times: 11am-11pm | Food - Mon to Fri 12noon-3pm & 6pm-10pm, Sat 12noon-10pm, Sun 12noon-8pm Nearest Station: Ravenscourt Park Tube The Eagle - Information  The Edinboro Castle57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU Party vibe, shabby sofas, beer garden buzz in Camden The large beer garden at Edinboro Castle - big enough to accommodate 200 people - is the main draw here and makes this pub something of a Camden institution. The concreted garden and wooden tables are quickly filled as soon as the sun comes out (despite the location sandwiched between the congested Delancey Street and noisy train tracks). Packed with trendy twenty-something Camdenites who flock here in large numbers for a post-work drink on a summer's evening, the place has a buzzing, party vibe. In the colder months it's less hectic and the smaller inside space, decorated with shabby gilt framed mirrors and worn sofas, provides a good place to get a drink. Do make sure you're not in a hurry though - service can be painfully slow. Address: 57 Mornington Terrace, NW1 7RU Phone: 020 7255 9651 Opening Times: Mon to Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm | BBQ Mon to Thu 5pm-9.30pm, Fri to Sun 12noon-3pm & 5pm-9.30pm Nearest Station: Camden Town Tube Edinboro Castle - Information  The Flask Tavern77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU Village charm, BBQs and outdoor heaters in Highgate One of the cute villages lost to London's urban sprawl, Highgate does at least retain a modicum of rustic charm, community atmosphere and a fine local boozer. The Flask is one of the original village buildings and still the hub of social activity for local residents. The beautiful building which dates back to the early 18th century has all the low ceilings, wooden floors, panelling and small interconnecting rooms you could want. It might not be as olde worlde as it once was – sturdy wooden tables and chairs have given way to low tables and leather sofas – but it still has a pleasant, traditional air about it. This all becomes totally irrelevant in the summer as customers shift outside into the large, attractive beer garden which comes complete with a handy undercover heated area. Getting a table can be troublesome but, fear not, the surplus spills innocuously out over the road onto the grassy knoll opposite. And this year, a new outside bar serving classics such as Sol, Bulmers, Peroni and Pimms means you don't have to flee the sun to order your beverages. There's also a new barbeque meaning sizzling sausages and meaty burgers will fill the gap between pint number one and a night on the town. So if you fancy a bit of village ambience without having to leave the capital, head to north London's next best thing. Address: 77 Highgate West Hill, N6 6BU Phone: 020 8348 7346 Opening Times: Mon to Sat 12noon-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm | Food Mon to Fri 12noon-3pm, 6pm-10pm, Sat 12noon-10pm, Sun 12noon-9pm Nearest Station: Highgate Tube The Flask - Information  The Hand in Hand6 Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Common, SW19 4RQ Get that upmarket village pub feel in Wimbledon In the warm summer months faithful punters from the Hand in Hand buy their pints before crossing the road to drink on the large swathe of grass or under the shady trees of Wimbledon Common. Like the neighbouring Crooked Billet pub, this unpretentious, rustic public house is run by Young's the brewery and is ever popular with both locals and transient passers-by. In fact, it's such an experience that people come from all over London to have a drink here in the heart of Wimbledon Village. The setting and ambiance is why people keep returning to the Hand in Hand: the cosy, low-ceilinged rooms are an ideal haven in the winter months, while in the summer, besides the common, there's a charming courtyard for al-fresco drinking. Staff are welcoming, pub grub is honest (speciality pies are really quite a treat it must be said) and there's a strong selection of beers, ales and wine. There's even a range of entertainment evenings, including Monday night poker. During Wimbledon fortnight it is known to bring in some of the big-wig presenters from the BBC as well as up to 300 tennis aficionados. In short, the Hand in Hand has the feel of an upmarket village pub and well worth a visit if you have yet to have the pleasure. Address: 6 Crooked Billet, Wimbledon Common, SW19 4RQ Phone: 020 8946 5720 Opening Times: Mon to Thu 11am-11pm, Fri & Sat 11am-12midnight, Sun 12noon-10.30pm Nearest Station: Wimbledon Tube Hand in Hand - Information  Drawing Room Cafe - Fulham PalaceFulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, SW6 6EA More grass and less rowdiness at classy Fulham establishment This place is not technically a pub but it warrants inclusion on this list of summer drinking dens because of its superb outdoor area. The Drawing Room Cafe could be Fulham's answer to the Ronseal Wood Stain advert for, metaphorically speaking, it does everything it says on the tin. Oliver Peyton is no longer running the food side of things (since February of this year), which has meant a drop in prices (light bites start from £3.90 a plate). You can enjoy delicious food in the posh sitting room-style of the interior restaurant (which used to be a bishop's drawing room at Fulham Palace). But in summer this place is all about its delightful terrace and the acres of surrounding green, green grass. The outdoor barbeque is, thankfully, still going serving diners on the seated and shaded area of the airy terrace. But you can also bring your own picnic and you'll see plenty of people doing exactly that as groups and families gather on the grass under the sun to make the most of one of the area's best-kept secrets. Quiet, scenic and sophisticated, this is a perfect setting for a jug of Pimm's, a G 'n' T or a white wine spritzer for discerning outdoor drinkers who want to escape bustling beer gardens or passing traffic. Address: Fulham Palace, Bishop's Avenue, SW6 6EA Phone: 020 7736 3233 Opening Times: Daily 9am-5pm Nearest Station: Putney Bridge Tube Drawing Room Cafe - Fulham Palace - Information  The Lock Tavern35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ Cool music, a canopied roof terrace and leather banquettes in Camden The Lock Tavern has become the mainstay setting for summer celebrations and merriment. Punters can guzzle cold beer on the cobbled stones of the beer garden or sip Pimms up on the canopied roof terrace. A few years ago, it was nothing but a dingy little hovel. Under the watchful eye of its proprietor, DJ Jon Carter, the establishment has blossomed into something of a super-pub. Inside, it's spacious and stylishly furnished with polished leather banquettes and swivel armchairs. Effortlessly cool, fiercely independent, and infectiously laid back, it attracts a rather friendly, jovial sort who loyally pile in every weekend. Unsurprisingly, the music is staunchly good and summer Sundays traditionally kick into gear early with the hedonistic Sunday Best parties. Cheap food and booze are available all day and there's a hugely appetizing pub BBQ as afternoon sessions regularly attract an appreciative crowd. Address: 35 Chalk Farm Road, NW1 8AJ Phone: 020 7482 7163 Opening Times: Mon to Thu 12noon-12midnight, Fri & Sat 12noon-1am, Sun 12noon-11pm Nearest Station: Chalk Farm Tube The Lock Tavern - Information  The Old Ship25 Upper Mall, W6 9TD Hammersmith heavyweight presiding over the Thames It may get a lot of bad press for being an over-expensive gentrified gastropub whose main heartbeat is rowing and the Boat Race, but there's no denying that the terrace of The Old Ship overlooking the Thames is a rather magical place to enjoy a pint of a summer's afternoon. Those lucky enough to get a table on the outdoor terrace or on the first floor balcony will not rue their decision to walk down to this tranquil stretch of the river beyond Hammersmith Bridge. But fear not if you can't get a perch for there's a public path in front of the pub onto which sun-seeking drinkers flow and gather. In fact, if you're really hard-up there's no stopping you bringing your own booze and drinking it by the wall overlooking the river - you'll just feel a bit of a cheapskate and won't benefit from the wonders of ice. Due to its immense popularity and fine setting, The Old Ship can get rammed in the summer so if you don't fancy waiting an eternity for a beverage, you could try one of the other riverside pubs in the area, such as the much-feted Dove - which would make this list, were it not for its meagre outdoor area. Address: 25 Upper Mall, W6 9TD Phone: 020 8748 2593 Opening Times: Food served Daily 9am-10pm Nearest Station: Ravenscourt Park tube The Old Ship - Information  Pub on the Park19 Martello Street, Hackney, E8 3PE Decking, park setting, football screens and family-friendly pub near London Fields Perched overlooking London Fields this is one of the finest pubs in the East in which to spend a summer's day. Outside the Pub on the Park there's a large section of decking and plenty of tables where you can catch some rays and admire activity taking place in the park opposite (cricket matches are a regular feature in summer months). If there's no room on the decking, the bar staff are happy to pop your pint in plastic so you can wander off into the park. The pub houses a healthy mix of people ranging from young families and locals who've been there for years to the new generation of Hackney's young professionals. The assortment of beers reflects this with a blend of well-kept traditional bitters, run-of-the-mill lagers and nouveau Belgian brews. The interior of the restored Victorian building is smart and simple. The landlord is a football fanatic, which means there are a few screens for fellow fans. A chilled-out, well-balanced boozer. Address: 19 Martello Street, Hackney, E8 3PE Phone: 020 7275 9586 Nearest Station: Bethnal Green Tube Pub on the Park - Information  The Ship41 Jew's Row, SW18 1TB Ever popular riverside beers and BBQ favourite in Wandsworth - with Pimm's on tap Nestled on the edge of the Thames a stone's throw from Wandsworth Bridge and (strategically) just around the corner from Young's brewery, The Ship is often top of people's outdoor drinking lists in south west London. With its large decking for up to 400 punters, Pimm's available on tap from one of the outside bars, a humongous barbeque on which sausages are a mere hors d'oeuvre and the prospect of live jazz on Saturday afternoons, The Ship makes up for its slightly salubrious surroundings by ticking all other boxes available. Located seemingly on a slightly industrial no-man's land near the unsightly Wandsworth roundabout and overlooking what could not be described as the prettiest stretch of the Thames, The Ship rides any potential storm by pulling in the crowds, providing everything any customer would want and being generally a place where anyone would happily while away an afternoon. Put simply, it is a welcome enclave of endearment in a carbuncled desert of drab chaos. The outdoor BBQ offers a "pimp your burger" option but really comes into its own by offering king prawns, tuna steaks, monkfish and halibut skewers and surf 'n' turf. Address: 41 Jew's Row, SW18 1TB Phone: 020 8870 9667 Opening Times: Barbeque Daily 12noon-10pm Nearest Station: Putney Bridge tube The Ship - Information  The Spaniards InnSpaniards Road, NW3 7JJ Sip on pints with Turpin's ghost under the shade of a huge cherry tree Ideal for alcoholic refreshment after a weekend tramp on Hampstead Heath, the notorious Spaniards Inn dates back to 1585 and is doused in history. But you don't want to know about it being mentioned in Dickens's 'The Pickwick Papers' or Bram Stoker's 'Dracula' or the fact that it was an old hideout for the infamous English rogue Dick Turpin. What you really want to know is, 'what's the beer garden like?' Exceptional, since you ask. In fact, during the summer months the action seeps from the cavernous crannies indoors and takes place in the large back garden where, under the shade of a majestic vine-entwined cherry tree, a labyrinth of Pimm's-laden tables weaves across a paved terrace, welcoming guests all afternoon and long into the night (when little lights gets the garden glowing). A well-stocked outdoors bar and regular summer barbecues makes this a must-visit watering hole for any discerning Londoners. What's more, the current French publican knows a thing or two about wine - and puts on a special Tuesday evening wine club with bottles from as little as £10. Address: Spaniards Road, NW3 7JJ Phone: 020 8731 6571 Opening Times: Mon to Fri 11am-11pm, Sat & Sun 10am-11pm | Food served Mon to Fri 11.30am-10pm, Sat & Sun 12noon-10pm Nearest Station: Golders Green tube The Spaniards Inn - Information  The White Hart69 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 8EL Massive beer garden is just one of the many things pulling in the punters at this Stokey favourite Stoke Newington's extremely likable White Hart seems to cater for just about anyone, but the unique selling point is the enormous beer garden around the back. More like a mini park, this ramshackle drinking area mixes trees, grass and a terrace, and with ample space, shade and seating, it's a veritable hive of activity during the summer months - especially when a barbeque is fired up and the sun's beating down. Inside, The White Hart is spacious and comfortable, with low-slung sofas and comfy chairs the order of the day (plus pinball, quiz machines, pool and table football). On match day, two big screens show live football and rugby, while on weekend evenings there's a late licence as live DJs and bands play sets. During the week, it's a relaxed neighbourhood pub with a well-stocked bar, the odd comedy and cabaret nights and extremely friendly staff. The Gents (although rather stinky) even has a black board and chalk so bursting/relieved chaps can write salacious musings and scribble infantile doodles on the walls. The pub menu is simple, honest and inexpensive, with classic pub grub (including an excellent Sunday roast for under £7) favoured over pretentious gastro fare, although a separate restaurant upstairs now caters for those who prefer a proper sit-down meal over bar snacks. Address: 69 Stoke Newington High Street, N16 8EL Phone: 020 7254 6626 Nearest Station: Rectory Road Railway Station The White Hart - Information  The White Horse1-3 Parson's Green, SW6 4UL Bustling Parson's Green tribute to fine beer is more than just a haven for Hugos It may get bad press for being the "Sloaney Pony" but there's no doubting that the award-winning White Horse is one of London's top boozers. Besides the fact that it's widely considered as the best beer pub in Britain, that its food is delicious and that it boasts a fine Victorian interior that makes you feel like part of a period drama, the real selling point of this Fulham establishment is its large beer garden, which backs on to Parson's Green and is packed every evening and throughout summer weekends. There are enough tables to ensure that, if you hover long enough, you'll be rewarded at some point with a perch - but as its set back from the pavement, drinkers can gather as they will, pint in hand, and chatter away about polo, hunting, the latest in Barbour fashion - you name it. Depending on the weather, a huge barbeque grills sausages, burgers and steak for the ravenous, wafting its ambrosial aroma around the whole of this delightful corner of SW6. Despite its reputation as a Sloane hangout, the clientele is often quite eclectic - from 18-year-old students in mufty to 80-year-old pensioners in tweed, from football-shirted Fulham or Chelsea fans to your fair share of Hooray Henrys in their whites and on the way for a spot of tennis at the Hurlingham. Address: 1-3 Parson's Green, SW6 4UL Phone: 020 7736 2115 Opening Times: Sun to Wed 9.30am-11.30pm, Thu to Sat 9.30am-12am Nearest Station: Parsons Green Tube The White Horse - Information  The White SwanRiverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN Windy lanes, waterside drinks and dramatic island views in Twickenham With probably one of the most idyllic settings of any of London's pubs, the White Swan is well worth a visit if you're in this neck of the woods. On a quiet, winding country lane, right on the edge of the Thames and opposite Twickenham's historic Eel Pie Island, the main body of the pub is elevated to minimise risk of flooding - a steep flight of steps needs to be mounted before you'll stand any chance of ordering a pint. Built in the 17th century the interior remains relatively untouched with lots of wood and open fires. You will, however, notice a somewhat unhealthy proliferation of rugby-oriented memorabilia - a hint towards the pub's support of the game that Twickenham's mammoth stadium has made its own (be warned the place gets understandably packed-out by loud chaps in rugby shirts on match days). Directly outside the pub there's a small veranda, while opposite, across the lane, there's a larger terrace (also owned by the pub) right on the water. Venture here in the summer months and combine your trip with a walk along the river or a visit to nearby Marble Hill House. Prices are said to be significantly higher than other boozers in the area, but there's no doubting the lure of the location and setting which, most would say, warrants the added premium. Address: Riverside, Twickenham, TW1 3DN Phone: 020 8892 2166 Opening Times: Mon to Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 12noon-10.30pm | Food 12noon-2.30pm, 7pm-9.30pm Nearest Station: Twickenham Rail White Swan - Information  The Windsor Castle114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR Cloistered history, greenery and ivy in Notting Hill Built in 1835 and untouched since then, the Windsor Castle is a cavernous pub decked in timber. Inside it's a creaking wooden wonderland, full of cosy alcoves, wooden settles, panelling and hidden rooms. If you're below four foot in height you really have to stoop to access many of the pub's rooms because the compartments are only accessible through tiny, Alice-in-Wonderland-style doors - which is more of a fun activity than a bore. In many ways the quintessential cosy winter pub, the Windsor Castle's dark and musty interior hides a secret for hidden out the back there's a large, ivy-clad beer garden which, adorned with delicate fairy lights, creates a peaceful idyll on long, warm evenings. Flagged with vast, cool stones and eclipsed by a fabulous plane tree mushrooming out from the centre, the small and shaded beer garden is ideal for those people for whom getting a tan is not the be all and end all of alfresco drinking. If this puts you off, there are a few tables basked in sunlight at the front of the pub, which is located atop the rise just south of Notting Hill. Food is simple and honest - good, solid, high-quality British fare such as sausages, mash, pies, roasts - while there's a good selection of beers and ales on tap, and a roaring trade in large jugs of Pimm's during the summer. Address: 114 Campden Hill Road, W8 7AR Phone: 020 7243 9551 Opening Times: Food served Mon to Fri 12noon-3pm, 5pm-10pm, Sat 12noon-10pm, Sun 12noon-9pm Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate Tube Windsor Castle - Information |
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