It’s getting to the time of year when there’s no better way to spend an afternoon than a cool pint in a beer garden. With the sun’s rays on your back and a crisp pint of cider there’s no better cure for the pressures of the working week.
And just in time for the long bank holiday weekend enjoytravel.com has listed the 30 best beer gardens in the UK.
From city spots to calming coastlines there are some truly stunning places to relax, enjoy some fresh air and enjoy a glass of something refreshing.
Sadly there’s none listed in Coventry and Warwickshire but if you’re fancying a day trip with a designated driver, we’ve taken a look at those closest to us.
If you’re looking for something more local, check out our guide to the best family friendly beer gardens in Coventry and Warwickshire here.
Best beer gardens you can get to from Coventry in under 90 minutes
The Boathouse, Shrewsbury, England
1 hour 30 minutes via the M6 Toll and M54
A previous winner of Shropshire’s Pub of the Year, The Boathouse in Shrewsbury also holds claim to having one of the best beer gardens in the UK.
Set on the banks of the River Severn, The Boathouse’s beer garden is terraced in several different levels, meaning if you’re a sun lover, you’ll be able to find a seat in the sun trap, while if you prefer to keep cool in the shade, there’s also plenty of seating under cover.
With swans, ducks and other freshwater birds floating by on the river, as well as boats passing through, it’s a great place to sit back and relax with your favourite drink. There’s even an outdoor bar, so you don’t have to go far for a top-up, either!
The Killingworth Castle, Wootton, England
1 hour 4 minutes via the M40
Almost any pub in the Cotswolds with a good beer garden could make this list, as it’s one of the most scenic parts of the UK, but The Killingworth Castle certainly deserves its place on this list.
Found next to Blenheim Palace – the birthplace of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill – The Killingworth Castle is surrounded by traditional Cotswold stone, offering a historic and authentic country pub charm, with modern amenities such as a gorgeous green terrace, perfect for enjoying a couple of drinks in the sun or a long lunch with good friends.
Because of its idyllic location, it’s the perfect place for a get-together with friends or family, or just to enjoy a swift half after you’ve been on a walk.
Canalhouse, Nottingham, England
1 hour 10 minutes via the M69 and M1
The phrase ‘the best of both worlds’ is often used loosely in most contexts, but not when it comes to the Canalhouse’s beer garden.
Found in the heart of Nottingham, the Canalhouse has both city views and canalside seating, offering a unique perspective that few other beer gardens can.
The Canalhouse is also home to a huge array of craft beers, including beers from local breweries and those from further afield, so it always has something new to try, even for the seasoned craft beer enthusiasts.
If you want great beer and greater views, head to the Canalhouse this summer.
The Fleet Inn, Twyning, England
1 hour 7 minutes via the M5
Right on the banks of the River Avon, The Fleet Inn has one of the best beer gardens in the UK.
With a heated pergola terrace, a children’s play area and an outdoor kitchen, it’s the perfect family-friendly beer garden for a visit this summer. It even has its very own docking station, so if you’re on the river, you can arrive by boat and take advantage of their 48-hour free mooring rule!
Admire the wildlife and boats go past as you enjoy a bite to eat or a couple of beers in the afternoon. Plus, when the sun goes down, head under one of the heated pergolas to stay warm while enjoying the fresh air outside.
The Plough, Harborne, England
50 minutes via the M6
Found in Harborne, Birmingham, The Plough is one of the Second City’s best beer gardens.
While Birmingham is perhaps best known for its industrial past, The Plough is anything but industrial, with lush greenery and quirky plants and plant pots making up the majority of the beer garden’s decor.
The beer garden is also a suntrap in the summer months, and with its heated and covered areas, it means that it can be used year-round, and is perfect for when the sun goes down on a summer’s evening, as this is when the DJs come out to keep the party going into the night.
Best beer gardens you can get to from Coventry in under two hours
Sinclair’s Oyster Bar, Manchester, England
2 hours 21 minutes via the M6
Known for its old-school pub characteristics, including being cash-only and a no-phones policy, this historic pub – whose origins date back to the early 18th-century – is well known for serving cheap and easy-drinking Sam Smith’s beer, making it the perfect spot to socialise with friends in the city.
The beer garden is also a complete suntrap, so when the sun’s shining in Manchester, there are few better places to spend an afternoon than Sinclair’s.
The George, Castleton, England
2 hours 5 minutes via the M1
The Peak District is one of England’s most picturesque regions, so where better to enjoy a pint in the sun after a challenging walk than at The George?
What sets The George apart from other similar pubs in the region is that it has two beer gardens with distinctly different views, thanks to its idyllic location in the Hope Valley.
The few tables at the front of the pub are overlooked by the 11th-century Peveril Castle, while at the back, guests are treated to unobstructed views of the 517-metre-high Mam Tor, one of the most iconic hills in the Peak District.
If you’re brave enough to take on Mam Tor, or indeed any hilly walks around the region, then the best place to reward yourself with a drink and some hearty pub grub afterwards is at The George in Castleton.
Best beer gardens you can get to from Coventry in under three hours
The Pump House, Liverpool, England
2 hours 32 minutes via the M6
Liverpool is one of the best-known cities in the UK when it comes to excellent pubs, with many of them taking inspiration from Dublin pubs just a short distance across the Irish Sea.
However, The Pump House offers a nod to Liverpool’s industrial past, set on the historic docks with stunning waterfront views.
The pub was once a hydraulic pumping station (hence the name), and the huge brick tower is still a part of the pub today – and is admired best with a pint in hand, sitting in the beer garden.
The Maybush Inn, Waldringfield, England
2 hours 53 minutes via the A14
If your idea of a good beer garden involves somewhere that you can enjoy a nice beer (or a few nice beers) over the course of a lazy afternoon, simply watching the world go by, then you’ve found the right place.
The Maybush Inn in Waldringfield is right on the banks of the River Deben, located right in the heart of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
The beer garden is one of the most scenic in the UK, with sailing boats passing by, hikers, dog walkers and more, and because of this, it has seen a surge in popularity over recent years. As such, booking is recommended if you want a table on the weekend.
The Bush Inn, St Hilary, Wales
2 hours 39 minutes via the M5
The Vale of Glamorgan is one of Wales’ most beautiful regions, so where better to enjoy a pint and the scenery than in one of the region’s best pubs?
The Bush Inn is a traditional Welsh village pub: a good selection of drinks, a cosy atmosphere in the winter and a relaxed atmosphere in the summer.
The beer garden has only recently undergone a complete revamp, with a gorgeous pergola and additional seating, and surrounded by the views of the Vale of Glamorgan, there are few better pubs in the region where you could spend an afternoon in the sun.
Trafalgar Tavern, Greenwich, London, England
2 hours 47 minutes via the M1
Central London is home to some of the best pubs in the country, but few have beer gardens as good as the one found in the Trafalgar Tavern in Greenwich.
Set on the banks of the River Thames, the pub lives up to this seafaring theme with naval decor present throughout, and beautiful views across the river from the beer garden.
Whether you’re popping in as a tourist or as a local, you can expect a warm welcome, a cold beer and a great time.
The Stag on the River, Lower Eashing, England
2 hours 25 minutes via the M40
Set on the banks of the River Wey in Surrey, the beer garden at The Stag on the River is an unforgettable one.
While some beer gardens thrive on the sheer number of activities that can take place there, this beer garden thrives due to its peace and tranquillity.
Enjoy a locally brewed beer on the riverside, under the shade of an overhanging tree or make the most of the sun in the middle of the beer garden, which is decked out with beautiful teak furniture.
People’s Park Tavern, Hackney, London, England
2 hours 36 minutes via the M1
Another canalside pub, the People’s Park Tavern in Hackney Wick, London, is one of the area’s most popular gathering places, and it’s easy to see why.
People’s Park knows their audience – largely young professionals in the city – and what better way to help them wind down after work than by offering stonebaked pizzas and beer in their gorgeous beer garden?
Plus, they even serve the beer in jugs, so there’s no need to go back and forth to the bar every time you want another drink.
George III Hotel, Penmaenpool, Wales
2 hours 50 minutes via the A458
Situated along the shorelines of the Mawddach Estuary, The George III Hotel in Penmaenpool is home to one of Wales’ most beautiful beer gardens.
A quintessential country pub, far away from the hustle and bustle of major cities, The George III Hotel beer garden has the advantage of both mountain views to the left and lakeside views to the right.
The perfect pub to stop in for a quick pint or two after hiking or cycling some of the National Park’s trails.
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