From gardens overlooking the sea, to unsung spots off the beaten path, we’ve got it all in Kent
There are plenty of amazing gardens across Kent where you can soak up the sunshine while enjoying a refreshing pint or two.(Image: KentLive)
Now that the weather is at last warming up across Kent, many of us will be hearing one simple question a lot more over the next few months: “Pub?” Our gorgeous green county is brimming with fantastic beer gardens to soak in the sunshine and enjoy a tipple throughout the spring and summer.
With two bank holidays to enjoy in May and many more sunny days on the horizon, it’s the perfect time to get out and explore the best that Kent has to offer. From unique gardens overlooking the sea, to quieter gems away from the crowds, our county has it all.
With so much choice on offer, it can be pretty tricky deciding where to actually go when the opportunity arises. That’s where KentLive has stepped in to help and make sure your next al fresco pint is one to remember.
We’ve rounded up some of the most popular and scenic beer gardens from across the county that deserve a place on anyone’s Kent bucket list. So dig out the sunnies, work out whose round is next and head to one of these fantastic beer gardens while the warm weather lasts.
The White Hart Inn, Canterbury
The White Hart Inn is a Shepherd Neame pub found on the corner of Castle Row and Dane John Mews in Canterbury(Image: KentLive)
Address: Worthgate Place, Dane John Mews, Canterbury CT1 2QX
Heading to Kent’s one only city for the first stop on our garden tour (or should that be crawl), The White Hart Inn is said to offer the biggest in all of Canterbury. The Shepherd Neame boozer sits a little outside of the main city centre, meaning your chances of finding a seat are always a little more optimistic even during the busiest periods.
From the home-cooked pub grub to the array of local beers and drinks, this is a spot that’s simply bursting with charm. Its spacious and secluded beer garden is just a delight to visit in the warmer months, providing a quiet escape from the Canterbury hustle and bustle. See what KentLive made of the White Hart Inn when we paid it a visit here.
The Captain Digby, Broadstairs
The view from The Captain Digby pub is truly remarkable.(Image: Philip Halling/Wikimedia Commons)
Address: Whiteness Road, Broadstairs CT10 3QH
Regarded as one of the finest spots to enjoy a drink in all of Thanet, this beachside pub features a brilliant terrace with unparalleled views of the Kent coast. As you enjoy a pint of the good stuff, look out over Kingsgate Bay and Kingsgate Castle, which unlike the name suggests, is a beautiful building split into residential flats.
Serving up quality home-cooked meals and also housing a well-equipped kids’ play area, its little wonder the cliffside venue has proven so popular with families. With Broadstairs itself considered one of the “coolest” destinations in all of the UK, there is plenty to do in the surrounding area after your stop at The Captain Digby, from visiting the gorgeous golden beaches to exploring the thriving town centre.
The Old Neptune, Whitstable
The Old Neptune is a must-visit in Whitstable(Image: Lorenza Marzocchi/Getty)
Address: Marine Terrace, Island Wall, Whitstable CT5 1EJ
Sticking with the seaside theme now, you can’t talk about Kent’s best beer gardens without mentioning The Neppy. Standing among the most iconic pubs in all of the county thanks to its unique beachside location, The Old Neptune has proven popular with locals, visitors and even the odd celebrity guest for decades.
The intimate Victorian inn complete with period décor offers a range of pub-grub and drinks to enjoy while taking in some breath-taking scenery. The dog-friendly pub sells a great range of local ales and features an extensive wine list so you’re sure to find the perfect drink to wet your whistle.
The Dukes Head, Sellindge
The Dukes Head in Sellindge(Image: Google Maps)
Address: Main Road, Sellindge, Ashford, TN25 6EG
Recently refurbished and re-opened, the pub between Ashford and Folkestone includes a large beer garden and a play area, which means parents can enjoy a refreshing drink while the children entertain themselves. Traditional food is served alongside the pub’s extensive snack menu and unique specials board.
One visitor remarked on Google Reviews: “Excellent food that is reasonably priced, great service and an atmosphere that feels like a pub is supposed to.” Another called it a “great and cosy place to eat”.
The Bell, Bredhurst
The outside garden area of Greene King’s The Bell at Bredhurst underwent a full makeover in 2025, with improvements to the pergola, huts and lighting.(Image: Greene King)
Address: The Street, Bredhurst, Gillingham ME7 3JY
This historic Greene King pub near Gillingham is a great spot for a refreshing drink in the spring with its spacious outdoor seating area, which recently saw a major upgrade. In June 2025, the Grade II-listed pub temporarily closed its doors for a thorough revamp, which included the addition of a new outdoor pergola structure, and a refresh to the existing garden huts and lighting.
The venue proudly boasts on its website: “Bask in the sunshine in our beer garden as the kids have fun in our outdoor play area and you go to town on our drinks menu, offering cask ales and premium spirits. Rich with history and full of character, our pub menu makes us the ideal spot for dining with the family, serving meals sure to tantalise your tastebuds!”
The Barn, Tunbridge Wells
The Barn, Tunbridge Wells(Image: Google Maps)
Address: 1 Lonsdale Gardens, Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1NU
This beer garden in the heart of Tunbridge Wells is a favourite among locals, and for good reason. Heated on cooler days and illuminated at night, it’s the perfect place to enjoy al fresco dining in the town centre.
The pub says that its philosophy is “to serve freshly prepared food, using high quality raw materials at unbeatable prices.” With a TripAdvisor rating of 4.5 stars out of five from more than 1,000 reviews, the spot earned a Travellers’ Choice Award from the site for 2025, a testament to its impressive reputation.
The Dove at Dargate, near Faversham
The Dove at Dargate has previously been crowned ‘Best Destination Pub’ in Kent by Muddy Stilettos(Image: The Dove at Dargate)
Address: Plumpudding Lane, Dargate, Faversham ME13 9HB
Heading off the beaten path to a charming gastropub found between Faversham and Whitstable, The Dove at Dargate has previously been crowned Kent’s Best Destination Pub by Muddy Stilettos. Having also seen praise from Tom Parker Bowles, son of Britain’s Queen Camilla and acclaimed food writer, the countryside boozer helmed by business partners Sophie Webb and William Shenow-Brady certainly holds an impressive reputation.
The beautiful beer garden is alive with colour in the summer, providing the perfect backdrop as you enjoy a local brew or tuck into some award-winning food. Will mans the kitchen, utilising high quality, local ingredients to create unique menus that suit a range of tastes, while ensuring vegetarians and vegans are also catered for.
The Tudor Rose, Rochester
The Tudor Rose in Upper Upnor(Image: Google Maps)
Address: High Street, Upper Upnor, Rochester, ME2 4XG
Described as a ‘gem of a pub’ in the quaint village of Upper Upnor, this spot is just as well known for its cosy interior as its scenic beer garden. Found next to an Elizabethan artillery fort, diners after a bit of relaxation can enjoy the fresh air in the large beer garden overlooking the River Medway.
The pub offers traditional dishes, hand-crafted using local and seasonal produce. Having also picked up a TripAdvisor Travellers’ Choice Award in 2025, one recent reviewer said: “What a gem of a real pub, friendly locals and staff set in the beautiful Upnor village. Food was amazing, huge portion sizes, and dog friendly, they treated my pooch to a doggie roast, will definitely be back.”
Drakes Cork and Cask, MaidstoneContent cannot be displayed without consent
Address: 9 Fairmeadow, Maidstone ME14 1JP
An olde worlde pub with a spacious courtyard and renovated stables, this is certainly one of the most unique watering holes in all of Maidstone. The bare-brick and exposed beam pub is one of the oldest in the area, giving it an authentic traditional feel.
The pub offers a mouth-watering barbecue, a varied selection of drinks and regularly hosts live music, making it a hit with punters of all ages. There is also a newly opened outdoor bar – what more could you need from a pub this spring?
Minnis Bay Bar and Brasserie, Birchington-on-Sea
The views from the beer garden at Minnis Bay Bar and Brasserie are a delight to behold.(Image: KentLive)
Address: The Parade, Birchington CT7 9QP
Style and comfort are very much at the heart of this trendy seaside watering hole. Overlooking the popular Minnis Bay beach in the charming village of Birchington-on-Sea, the delicious grub and assortment of drinks are served with a side of jaw-dropping scenery.
The Shepherd Neame boozer is just a stone’s throw away from the beach’s golden sands and offers a huge outdoor seating area. On its website, the bar proudly describes itself as “a relaxed, stylish location that offers truly outstanding views, great food, an extensive wine list, and friendly service” and dubs Minnis Bay a ‘hidden gem’ on the Thanet coast.
The Royal Pavilion – Ramsgate
The Royal Victoria Pavilion is a historical landmark in its own right(Image: Getty)
Address: Harbour Parade, Ramsgate CT11 8LS
There’s no denying the popularity of Wetherspoons pubs, and with over 20 different branches around Kent, a fair few of them have impressive gardens to see. More a beer balcony than a beer garden, the Royal Victoria Pavilion in Ramsgate has a spacious outdoor seating area that overlooks the town’s golden sands, shimmering waters and iconic harbour.
Notably the biggest Wetherspoons pub in all of the UK, the chain spent £4.5million redeveloping the historic building which opened its doors back in 2017. There is a ground floor beer garden out the back, as well as the first floor roof terrace, where the Pavilion’s customers can make the most of the beautiful sea views in the shimmering sunshine.
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