Bristol’s best pub gardens to soak up the sun

The sun is shining and the Euro football tournament is in full swing – so where better to make the most of the rising temperatures than in a garden with a pint in hand?

Luckily, Bristolians are spoiled for choice when it comes to places to drink alfresco – from lively city center watering holes with a lively atmosphere to quieter riverside establishments offering a quiet stop during a pleasant walk.

Whether you’re looking for a stunning view or a place to start an evening, Bristol has a beer garden for you – and here are some of our favourites.

the hole in the wall

Following an extensive refurbishment a few years ago, with the outdoor space transformed into a chic alfresco dining area, it’s not hard to see why this upmarket pub is a favorite place in Bristol to hang out and enjoy a drink in the sun. .

Located just a short walk from Bristol Temple Meads station, The Hole In The Wall, nestled in the top corner of Queen’s Square, is one of the first pubs you come to when walking into the city centre.

Indeed, located just on the edge of the harbor area, it is central enough to then continue to explore more of central Bristol, but with a nice view of the river that makes customers feel like they could be on a nice walk by the river in the country.

And dating back to around 1746, the pub is also steeped in fascinating history as it is said to be the inspiration behind Robert Louis Stevenson’s famous novel, Treasure Island.

Listed in Bristol’s top 100 restaurants on Tripadvisor with a rating of four out of five stars, reviews praised The Hole In The Wall’s “delightful atmosphere, inside and out” and recommended the pub for “a beautiful table by the river”. “.

ostrich

Just across the river from The Hole In The Wall is another waterfront pub to hang out at, watching the kayakers and paddleboarders while enjoying a pint al fresco – The Ostrich.

With 60 picnic bench-style tables lined up along the river, The Ostrich boasts one of the largest beer gardens in the neighborhood, which can be visited year-round thanks to parasols to shelter visitors from the sun , as well as covered and outdoor areas. heaters for when the temperature drops.

In summer, The Ostrich serves up a harborside barbecue, consisting of a range of American-style street food such as burgers, fries and mac’n’cheese – so you can line your stomach while lining up beers at the pub’s outdoor Butcombe Beer Truck.

And like The Hole In The Wall, The Ostrich also dates back to the mid-1700s, when it was a popular stop for sailors, shipyard workers and traders. Perhaps most notably, a piece of its past has been left exposed as a wall at the back of the pub is partially demolished, revealing one of the many secret caves that lie beneath Redcliffe.

Highbury Vaults

For a more ‘secret garden’ feel, the Highbury Vaults on St Michael’s Hill are not to be missed.

Don’t be put off by the steep climb from the town center to get there – as the grotto-like walled garden behind the cozy pub, where colorful flowers bloom from hanging baskets during the summer months, is well worth it. trip.

Indeed, food critic and Queen’s son Tom Parker Bowles previously named the Highbury Vaults as one of Britain’s cosiest pubs in a 2018 article for MailOnline.

And customers seem to agree, as a five-star reviewer on Tripadvisor described Highbury Vaults as having “one of the greatest beer gardens in Bristol”.

So, if you want to enjoy a pint in the sunshine at this special establishment, make sure you hurry to grab a table – because they will fill up!

Spotted Cow, Bedminster

Moving further south of the city, the award-winning beer garden at The Spotted Cow in Bedminster offers seating for more than 100 people, meaning you should always be able to find a spot outside to soak up the sun .

And there’s a reason why this pub’s beer garden is always so full in the summer months and is so praised by visitors to The Spotted Cow – because the pub takes a lot of care to keep it well-kept.

Pub owner Dave Smeaton, who has run The Spotted Cow for over 15 years, previously said: “In the summer the garden is a hot spot for people in the community as it is probably one of the biggest green spaces around. We have a gardener who puts a lot of effort into making it look as good as it does.”

And the hard work is paying off, with a number of five-star reviews on Tripadvisor definitely mentioning the “beautiful” and “loud” beer garden at this Bedminster boozer.

Hope and Anchor

Like the garden at Highbury Vaults, The Hope & Anchor’s outdoor space is a hidden oasis nestled behind the pub – and is “the pub’s best asset”, according to manager James Carden.

In fact, while many may not realize at first that the garden is even there, those who have had the pleasure of discovering it have described it as “beautiful” and “a delight”.

With seating for up to 78 people and flowers and plants blooming throughout the summer, providing a much-needed canopy of shade over some of the outdoor tables, it’s easy to feel like you’re drinking in the middle of the scenery – rather than in ​​behind a pub whose frontage is on a main road.

And with a menu that includes chicken wings and loaded fries, as well as lighter bites like a caprese salad, it’s the perfect place to sit and enjoy a summer meal while soaking up the sun.

House of Pompeii

Returning to the riverside, you can usually expect to find the outdoor terrace area in front of this former Victorian hydraulic pumping station packed with people as soon as the sun starts to shine.

And it’s not hard to see why – looking down on the SS Great Britain in one direction and the Clifton Suspension Bridge in the other, this gastropub is perfectly situated to enjoy some of the best views Bristol has to offer , while enjoying a nice, refreshing pint.

The Pump House is a gin drinker’s paradise with over 300 different types of gin – certainly one of the largest collections in Bristol. And if you just can’t make up your mind, the attentive bar staff are more than happy to point you in the right direction or even create your drink to your liking.

It’s also a great place to grab a bite to eat – having been recognized in the Good Food Guide every year since 2011, while the pub’s head chef, Toby Gritten, won Best Chef at Bristol Good Food Awards in 2013.

If a drink or snack by the water is what you’re looking for on a sunny day, this is the place for you.

White Lion Terrace, Avon Gorge Hotel

When it comes to a beer garden with a view… this one really takes the cake.

The riverside is one thing, but on the terrace at the White Lion, within the Avon Gorge Hotel in Clifton, you can drink or dine right next to the Clifton Suspension Bridge, with stunning views of the Avon Gorge itself.

The stunning views make it a magical place to visit all year round – but especially in summer, during the longer, golden-tinged days as the sun sets behind the city’s most famous bridge.

Of course, with its exclusive views and being located in upmarket Clifton, you can expect to pay perhaps slightly higher prices than the city center pubs – with their beer deals costing between £5.50 and £7.50, in while their classic and signature cocktails are priced at £11.95.

But if you want to show off Bristol to visiting friends or family from outside the area, this is definitely the place to do it.

Victoria Park

Named after the 51-acre Victoria Park on its doorstep, it’s hard not to be impressed by the two-tiered beer garden behind The Victoria Park pub, which offers sweeping views of the rolling green Mendip Hills.

The pub has enough outdoor seating for 250 patrons, spread across the sloping garden area, with stairs that will take you right down to the garden. But it’s also decorated with strings of lights and fairies, making an otherwise sprawling space still feel cozy and inviting.

And if you don’t fancy sitting outdoors, the bi-fold doors inside the pub open all the way, bringing the outside in while you enjoy your meal or pint at an indoor table – the best of both worlds.

The star, the fish ponds

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Bristol city centre? Head just three miles northeast and you’ll find yourself at The Star in Fishponds – a cozy Irish pub that claims to serve ‘the best pint of Guinness in Bristol’.

The neighborhood pub, taken over by an Irish owner 10 years ago, is getting really close to its Emerald Isle links as it’s peppered with references to beloved 90s sitcom Father Ted, as well as Guinness posters that wouldn’t look outside. place right in the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin.

But all are welcome at this down-to-earth community pub – which is not only deceptively large inside, but also extends to a large garden area, which has undergone extensive refurbishment since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

From long, picnic-style tables for larger groups to more cosy, quirky beer keg tables for two or three, there’s no shortage of space here to enjoy the summer sun – with a pint delicious Guinness that will set you back just £4.20, one of the cheapest deals on The Black Stuff you’ll find in Bristol.

The Star is also a music venue, running a busy program of live music in its garden throughout the summer months and indoors in the winter – from traditional Irish folk to sea bass.

The Old Lock & Weir

Finally, leaving Bristol south east towards Keynsham we have one last riverside pub entry – The Old Lock & Weir Inn on the banks of the River Avon.

Located just a few miles downriver from the picturesque Conham River Park and opposite Hanham Lock – the first lock on the East of Bristol River – this pub is the perfect stop off for walkers, cyclists or even kayakers for a refreshing pint or a delicious bite.

And with its outdoor terrace area right next to the banks of the river, with rows of canoes parked alongside customers as they take a seat in the sun, The Old Lock & Weir is another place where the views are second to none. the way you look – especially as the sunset shimmers off the surface of the water.