England’s best pub gardens revealed, from a hip London watering hole to the UK’s only beach bar
hop on!
It’s that time of year when everyone goes looking for the perfect beer garden with good drinks on tap, hearty pub grub and great views as a bonus.
To get you there faster, here we reveal England’s 25 best beer gardens, ranked by travel website Big 7 trips.
To make the list, pubs had to impress with their atmosphere, scenery and food and drink selection, with the final selection generated by analyzing customer and critic reviews, as well as editorial opinions, online presence, consistency, service, value for money, presentation, location and accessibility.
10. THE FERRY HOSTEL – SALCOMBE, DEVON
The Ferry Inn, located in Salcombe in Devon, has a terrace ‘so close to the water’s edge you can practically touch the waves’
Built in 1739, The Ferry Inn is the oldest and most famous pub in Salcombe, says Big 7 Travel.
It notes: ‘The historic pub has a pretty stone terrace that’s so close to the water’s edge you can almost touch the waves. Outside there are at least a dozen large picnic tables with umbrellas for sunny days and fairy lights for when the sun goes down.”
Overlooking the Salcombe Estuary, beaches and undulating countryside, it’s also a prime spot for people watching, reveals Big 7 Travel.
9. THE CANAL HOUSE – BIRMINGHAM, WEST MIDLANDS
Birmingham’s Canal House has been described as ‘the perfect place to enjoy a drink in the sun’
From this cafe-restaurant, which claimed the title of Best Pub in the Midlands at The National Pub & Bar Awards, says Big 7 Travel: ‘While it’s easy to understand why customers are so excited about the hearty Sunday Roasts and live music, it’s the beer garden that we’re interested in.
‘With a beautiful view of the canal and plenty of seating on the outdoor terrace, this is the perfect place to enjoy the sun with a drink.’
The website adds that ‘with more than 60 beers in the beer inventory, an extensive cocktail list and a wide range of soft drinks, you don’t have to choose either’.
8. THE SHIP INN – MUNDESLEY, NORFOLK
Enjoy an ‘excellent range of local ales’ – and drink in ‘dazzling’ views of the North Sea – at Mundesley’s Ship Inn
Overlooking the ‘golden sands’ of Mundesley Beach, The Ship Inn has been described as ‘an idyllic seaside retreat’.
Says Big 7 Travel: ‘The 300 year old pub is loved by locals and visitors alike for its tasty and unpretentious food and excellent range of local ales.
‘The large beer garden is located at the back of the red brick pub and offers a wonderful view of the North Sea.’
7. THE WHEAT – COMBE HAY, BATH, SOMERSET
The Wheatsheaf in Somerset features extensive terraced gardens with views of the surrounding countryside
‘Bath has a good number of historic pubs, but they don’t all offer the same view as The Wheatsheaf.’
That’s what Big 7 Travel says about this pub, a ‘whitewashed, farmhouse-turned-pub’ which is ‘just 15 minutes’ drive from Bath city centre’.
Photos show the extensive terraced gardens overlooking the ‘rural’ countryside and ‘some of the prettiest villages in the region’. Big 7 Travel notes: ‘The drinks list is excellent, but the food is even better. Keep an eye on the calendar, because there’s always something going on, from steak nights to summer parties.’
Reviewer ‘Jason M’ describes it on Tripadvisor as a ‘country pub of the highest quality’ and a ‘beautiful pub in a stunning location’.
6. THE GARDENER’S REST, SHEFFIELD, SOUTH YORKSHIRE
The Gardeners Rest in Yorkshire has a beer garden that is said to be ‘one of the quirkiest in the country’
The Gardeners Rest has been described as ‘a real pub with a difference’ as it is Sheffield’s first community pub.
Punters can enjoy a drink overlooking the River Don in the beer garden, which is ‘one of the quirkiest in the country’ according to Big 7 Travel.
Features include a flower-filled labyrinth of picnic tables, sculptures, vegetables, quirky sculptures and fireplaces, Big 7 Travel reveals. Write on Tripadvisor, ‘Dawn G’ said, ‘There’s a really interesting beer garden waiting for you at the back of this pub. It is full of curios and a lovely flower garden with tomatoes growing along with quirky sculptures and fireplaces embedded in the fabric of the walls.’
5. THE DRUNKEN DUCK INN – AMBLESIDE, CUMBRIA
Located in the Lake District, the Drunken Duck Inn is a popular spot for walkers
This Lake District gem is ‘set in a massive 400-year-old building set in 60 acres of its own grounds’ and boasts ‘glorious hillside views that stretch for miles’, reveals Big 7 Travel.
It reads: ‘It’s a popular spot with hikers who come here after climbing the local peaks for brilliant beers brewed from the award-winning on-site microbrewery and a delicious daily-changing menu. If you can’t handle the walk home, there are also 13 individually designed bedrooms to settle into.’
Writing on Tripadvisor, reviewer ‘CLP3210’ said the pub is ‘in a beautiful location’ and serves ‘excellent’ food.
4. THE WHOLE FISHERMAN – CRASTER, NORTHUMBERLAND
The beer garden at The Jolly Fisherman in Northumberland has sea views
‘This award-winning pub combines stunning sea views with fantastic food and good company,’ says Big 7 Travel.
When the weather turns warm, it recommends placing one of the tables outside, ‘where the view extends past Dunstanburgh Castle and out to sea’.
The website reveals: ‘There is a good range of drinks to choose from, but we recommend arriving hungry. What could be better than kipper scotch eggs, Shetland mussels and famous Craster crabs served with a sparkling sea view?’
3. THE PEOPLE’S PARK INN – LONDON
The ‘trendy’ People’s Park Tavern is located in the heart of London’s Victoria Park
Big 7 Travel praises this watering hole, saying, “The chaotic capital has no shortage of excellent beer gardens, but the People’s Park Tavern trumps it.”
It continues: ‘Overlooking East London’s beloved Victoria Park, the beer garden is one of the largest in London, with an indoor and outdoor greenhouse, a seasonal BBQ kitchen, a pop-up cocktail bar and a tap wall.’
In addition, the website notes that the pub has its own microbrewery and has more than 70 beers on tap.
2. THE RISING SUN – PENSFORD, SOMERSET
Gamblers can enjoy a ‘lovely, relaxed atmosphere’ at The Rising Sun in Somerset
‘The Rising Sun is only 15 minutes from Bristol city centre, but feels far away thanks to its idyllic rural location,’ explains Big 7 Travel.
It continues: ‘Nestled at the foot of the Pensford Viaduct by the River Chew, the large beer garden offers wonderful views and a lovely, relaxed atmosphere.’
Big 7 Travel notes that Cornish brewery St Austell owns the pub, so there’s an ‘excellent’ selection of beers on tap. In addition, it describes the food menu as ‘fantastic and very reasonably priced’.
1. THE WATERGATE – PERRANPORTH, CORNWALL
Enjoy a good range of beach-friendly food at Cornwall’s number one The Watering Hole
Big 7 Travel describes The Watering Hole, the number one pub, saying: ‘The bar, restaurant and live music venue are smack bang in the middle of Perranporth’s golden sands, making it the UK’s only beach bar is.’
The website continues: ‘Open all year round, it serves real ales from local breweries, cocktails and a wide range of soft drinks and hot drinks, including dreamy hot chocolate. There is also a good range of beach-friendly dishes.’
Not only that, but the venue “has become famous for its various live music events with lineups,” reveals Big 7 Travel, with Sam Ryder expected to perform this summer.