I think beer garden weather might be my favourite kind of weather. Blue skies, sunny days, beers outside, a bite of al fresco food. In Warwickshire we’re lucky to have plenty of beer gardens to choose from, in the heart of some of our lovely towns or nestled in villages scattered around the county.
I’ve rounded up some of the places you can go and enjoy outside space this summer, whether it’s a country pub beer garden or a city terrace. I haven’t been to all, but wanted to give you some inspiration on how many great places there are to enjoy when the weather plays ball.
So, here are the Warwickshire pubs with beer gardens or terraces to visit this summer. If you’re a venue and want to be added, or a fellow beer garden lover and think I’ve missed somewhere then let me know and I’ll add it!
Rugby
The Bell, Hillmorton
The Bell is a popular spot, with benches out the front and a great garden at the rear, complete with little wooden huts and a bigger expanse of garden too. There’s a play area, food on offer, and obviously great drinks.
The Merchants Inn
Another favourite in Rugby town centre, the Merchants has a lovely little outdoor area that I can confirm is a bit of a sun trap late afternoon/early evening in summer. They’re super dog-friendly, serve great beers and do bar snacks too, plus having some great festivals featuring street food on occasions.
The Seven Stars
One of my faves, the Seven Stars has a seating area out the front as well as an enclosed courtyard inside where you can sek shelter from any wind while feeling you’re outside. They’re repeat CAMRA winners and do great beer, as well as having live music, a great pie and pint night, and summer events at certain times. Oh, and their own homemade scotch eggs and pork pies that are pretty amazing. Read my review of the Scotch Egg classes at The Seven Stars here.
The Black Swan (or the Dirty Duck if you’re old school)
The Black Swan has a courtyard but I’ll confess I haven’t been there for years, though I’m assured it’s got plenty of space for an al fresco drink or ten.
The Raglan Arms
Deceiving from the front with a few benches, if you walk through the Raglan to the back you’ll find a pretty big patio – covered and uncovered.
The Dun Cow
The Dun Cow in the heart of Dunchurch has a little garden area by the front door, but also a courtyard too for al fresco drinks and maybe a bite to eat. I haven’t been in ages as we didn’t have the best experience last time we went, but it doesn’t take away from it maybe being a good spot for summer.
Square (Secret Garden)
Square’s Secret Garden is high on my list for a summer session. A coffee shop by day, Square also does cocktails and every week has visiting street food traders, making it the perfect place for a bite to eat and several drinks in its little secret, hidden garden. Get me there now.
The George, Kilsby
The George has invested loads into their garden, creating a chic outdoor area, as well as a lovely covered al fresco dining area with glass walls and heaters for those cooler nights. It really is a lovely spot and another one on my list for summer. Read my review of The George here.
The Red Lion, Kilsby
Another one I haven’t tried and really should, the Red Lion has a gorgeous garden that they’ve clearly spent time and money on. They have an array of menus, including lunchtime sandwiches as well as tapas, and Sunday roasts obviously, so it’s a great place for an afternoon.
The Jolly Abbott
The Jolly Abbott in Hillmorton has a garden area that’s great for kids – completely enclosed and from what I remember, with a few play area type things. If the kids charging round isn’t your thing then they have seating out the front too.
Onley Beach Bar & Grill
The genius people down at Onley Equestrian Centre have made the most of the fact they’ve got the closest thing to a beach in terms of volumes of sand and created a beach bar overlooking it. A beautiful terrace, partly covered, with seating, nice facilities and a bar serving everything from cocktails to wine and beer. They do food too thanks to big old barbecues and already have a list of events planned for summer.
Red Lion Hunningham
The Red Lion has a huge garden with the most glorious views. Yes, it’s sometimes underwater thanks to flooding, but when it’s done it’s a lovely place for outdoor food and drinks. Good walks nearly, decent food, and they let campervans stay in the car park too which gets my vote.
The Old Lion, Harborough Magna
The Old Lion has been taken on by the same people behind The George in Kilsby, with similar effort put into the outdoor space to create a summer hot-spot complete with stretch tents, fairy lights and live music.
Coventry
Generators at the Telegraph Hotel
There aren’t many roof terraces in Coventry, but you don’t need too many when you’ve got this one. Generators sits on top of the Telegraph Hotel, whose home is in the former Coventry Telegraph building. It’s a lovely sun trap, and you can sip fizz or cocktails, or nibble on food while overlooking the Belgrade and Coventry’s skyline. A great urban al fresco spot. Read my review of the Telegraph Hotel here.
Dhillon’s Spire Bar
Dhillon’s Spire Bar is one of my faves. It’s just a beautiful transformation of an old building into a contemporary place in the heart of Coventry to enjoy a few drinks. They have little huts with heaters if it’s cool, and serve cocktails and all sorts of other drinks, usually with some tunes too.
Beer Gonzo Earlsdon
Top of my 2024 hit list, Beer Gonzo has a great reputation for fabulous beers, natural wines, a deli counter to die for and great food from Sarah Jenks. They have opened a terrace too – the perfect place for drinks and food in the sun.
Warwick
The Fourpenny Pub
The Fourpenny is down by the racecourse in Warwick and they’ve turned their car park into a rather lovely outdoor area, complete with covered section, firepits, and nice furniture. They also have a very impressive garden room with an indoor-outdoor feel. They do food, including Sunday roasts and tapas, and have events and live music sometimes too.
The Black Pug
The Black Pug in Warwick has one of the biggest beer gardens around and regularly has great events. Super dog-friendly too.
The Falcon at Hatton
The Falcon at Hatton has a gorgeous garden, plus cool domes for private hire. There’s a covered section for rainy days and cooler evenings. They do Indian food and English food, and have rooms too, plus great walks nearby. Read my review here.
The Hatton Arms
Just down the road from the Falcon on the way into Warwick is The Hatton Arms. They’ve got a huge garden and access straight onto canal walks. They do food and drink, are dog friendly, and have regular events. They’ve got a raised terrace too, so even more chance to soak up those reviews. Read my review of The Hatton Arms here.
The Fleur de Lys, Lowsonford
The Fleur de Lys in Lowsonford has a great outdoor area overlooking the canal. The pub – whose name translates as Flower of Life – started out as a row of three 15th century cottages which became canal workers’ accommodation and were later knocked together. Subsequent uses included a blacksmith’s forge and even a mortuary, before it opened as a tavern in the early 20th century, later going on to introduce the ‘pioneering’ idea of serving food and giving rise to the now famous Fleur De Lys pies.
Leamington Spa
Royal Pug
Sister pub to the Black Pug in Warwick, the Royal Pug has a less expansive garden but a lovely courtyard that’s been packed every time I’ve been. Nice and sheltered and a good place for a few bevvies.
Fizzy Moon
Another terrace rather than a garden, but I have had the odd very messy afternoon outside at the Fizzy Moon and no doubt will again.
Grace & Vine
A gorgeous wine and small plates bar that I simply haven’t been to enough, Grace and Vine also has a lovely courtyard garden out the back. It gets busy quick but if you can bag a place you’ll love it.
Newbold Comyn Arms
A great one before or after a walk at Newbold Comyn, the Newbold Comyn Arms has a lovely garden and serves food as well as drinks.
The Stag at Offchurch
When the sun shines, The Stag is the place to be. Not only do they have a multi-level garden, they have an outdoor bar in a horsebox in summer, so you don’t even have to move. Great food too. Read my review here.
The White Lion, Radford Semele
The White Lion has a fabulous expansive garden, plus a covered terrace area, and I speak from experience when I say it’s a great place to enjoy a long lazy afternoon eating good food and drinking wine. It’s dog-friendly and there’s plenty of sun or shade depending on what you prefer.
The White Hart at Ufton
The White Hart sits up on a hill so its garden overlooks beautiful countryside. They have a fairly extensive food menu, with plenty of pub classics, and even do a seafood boil too.
Moorings at Myton
Sister pub to the Stag at Offchurch, the Moorings sits on the canal in Leamington and has plenty of outdoor space to soak up the sun.
The Terrace
The name sums it up right, and cocktails on the terrace at the Terrace looks like a lovely way to enjoy a few drinks in Leamington. I think you probably have to book ahead as they’re super popular.
Kenilworth
Queen & Castle
The Queen & Castle is a Kenilworth institution, and underwent a full refurb not long ago. It’s lovely inside but also has a nice garden area, and is in a great location just opposite Kenilworth Castle. Read my full review here.
Forrest Coffee House
Forrest started life as a coffee shop, but now is bar, eaterie, and general Kenilworth hotspot. They have plenty of outdoor seating and the perfect spot to enjoy a cocktail, cake, coffee or something savoury. Or all of the above….
