"Sharon, bring me my Panama hat... I think.... is that... the SUN?!"

Feel like we're playing a neverending game of hide-and-seek with that ball of fire. And it's a championship hider. BUT it's here! Yay! Probs for a limited time only so get your factor 50 on and scorch those retinas.

Here are 13 of London’s best beer gardens…

The Avalon

Where
Balham.

Why we like it:
There’s something about a Balham beer garden that’s just… better. The Avalon is a summer Pinterest board come to life, with a sprawling garden and multiple terraces. Best for classy cocktails on the wooden cabana-style day beds.

The Village Pub

Where:
Walthamstow.

Why we like it:
The Village Pub is in Walthamstow’s vibey Orford Road area. It’s a stylish East London hang out with plenty of outdoor seating and enough fairy lights to trouble the electricity board.

The Axe

Where:
Clapton.

Why we like it:
The Axe in Clapton is giving the people what they want - a snug beer garden, 22 beers on tap, and Sunday roasts that’ll make you a believer.

Mercato Metropolitano

Where:
Elephand and Castle.

Why we like it:
Sit on a steel drum, smash Aperols and inhale street food by the sticky handful… Mercato Metropolitano didn’t come to play. The Newington Causeway one has got 40 vendors and a microbrewery onsite.

Alexandra Palace

Where:
Wood Green.

Why we like it:
Listen, you won’t get a seat until probs… June?? But no list of outdoor watering holes would be complete without Ally Pally. This guy is for sophisticated day drinkers who like their white wines with 196-acre park views.

The Magic Garden

Where:
Battersea

Why we like it:
Stumble down a rabbit hole in Battersea and you’ll emerge in The Magic Garden. Your fellow drinkers have also been toking on Absolem’s pipe. Get a beer and snuggle up on your bench, warming your hands by the orange glow of lanterns. Dreamy.

The Ship

Where:
Wandsworth.

Why we like it:
The Ship is Wandsworth’s worst kept secret and there's literally a tick list of reasons to visit from April 12th. Decked garden? Check. Five heated booths? Check. Outdoor bar and decent burgers? Check and check again.

The Crown and Shuttle

Where:
Hackney.

Why we like it:
Listen, every man and his dog will be heading to the pub on April 12th. But don’t go just anywhere, go somewhere where the benches are rainbow coloured and the craft beer in award-winning. Be better than Spoons, okay? Go to The Crown and Shuttle

The Duke of Edinburgh

Where:
Brixton

Why we like it:
South London's biggest beer garden is here to make the others feel like amateur hour. The pints are £3.50 during happy hour… you’re sold already, but FYI they’ve also got jerk chicken to soak up the booze. Because lockdown has made lightweights out of all of us.

People's Park Tavern

Where:
Hackney.

Why we like it:
Not enough beer gardens have a resident cat. Don’t let the rainbow bunting at People's Park Tavern in Hackney fool you - these guys are serious about their beers. There’s an onsite brewery and plenty of picnic tables scattered about the lawn.

The Lamb

Where:
Bloomsbury.

Why we like it:
Classy and compact just like… err, Kylie?

If you can nab a seat at The Lamb in Bloomsbury you’re in for a chilled night in a sophisticated spot on arty Conduit Street.

Pergola

Where:
Paddington.

Why we like it:
We might be cheating with Pergola but Paddington’s open-air bar/market is a fairytale space to disgrace yourself. There are creeping vines twisting around the wooden struts and rows of benches (with backs, Hallelujah). Yep, the drinks are spenny but it literally looks like a classy Miami Vice in here… so suck it up.

The Grange

Where:
Ealing.

Why we like it:
West London gives good beer garden, but they’re usually rammed. The Grange is tucked away down a (swanky) residential street in Ealing. It’s worth a look in because you might just dodge the crowds. It’s also got plenty of cute nooks in the multi-level beer garden.