When the sun's out, we’ll be heading to one of Gloucestershire’s gorgeous beer gardens to make the most of the weather — and sip on a refreshing pint of a local brew!
With SoGlos’s journalists handpicking some of the best beer gardens around, all you need to do is decide whether you’ll enjoy a pint, Pimm’s or a perfectly chilled glass of pinot grigio.
Stroud Brewery beer garden
Stroud Brewery's canalside taproom offers a gorgeous spot to soak up some summer sunshine — and spot the resident otters and other wildlife! — while enjoying one of its award-winning organic beers and tasty local, seasonal dishes from brunch and burgers to wood-fired pizza.
But it's so much more than a taproom, too — Stroud Brewery is also a hub for the local community, playing host to everything from live bands and stand-up comedians to local knitting groups, yoga classes, craft sessions and folk music jams.
The Saracens Head Inn beer garden in Symonds Yat
The centuries-old The Saracens Head Inn on the banks of the River Wye offers waterside drinking and dining with a traditional pub atmosphere. Soak up the gorgeous forest views and see if you can spot the famous Sex Education filming location nearby!
The Fountain Inn beer garden in Gloucester
Just a short walk from Gloucester Cathedral, The Fountain Inn is home to a beautiful cobbled courtyard garden in Gloucester city centre. A lovely setting for post-work drinks and leisurely lunches, it's famously very welcoming to dogs too!
Imperial Garden Bar beer garden in Cheltenham
With its prime position behind Cheltenham Town Hall and within easy reach of trendy Montpellier, the Imperial Garden Bar in Cheltenham is a popular place to head when the sun shines — ideal for sunbathing, Pimm’s drinking and people watching in one of the town's prettiest parks.
The Stump beer garden in Cirencester
Known for its wood-fired pizzas from famous foodie duo Baz and Fred, historic roadside inn The Stump in Cirencester also boasts a sunny patio to enjoy a pint and a slice of pizza on warm summer days.
Dunkertons Cider beer garden near Cheltenham
Charlton Kings-based cider maker Dunkertons Cider has one of the coolest outdoor drinking spots in all of Cheltenham. Sip on a pint of its organic cider while you soak up the rays and dig into delicious street food from the likes of The Woozy Pig and Humble Kusina. You might even spot a celebrity, with Idris Elba having DJ'd at the trendy hotspot and Jade Holland Cooper having her flagship boutique right next door.
The Vine Tree beer garden at in Randwick
Set in the pretty village of Randwick near Stroud, The Vine Tree offers tasty home-cooked food and a fine choice of real ales, as well as a large garden boasting picturesque views of the Five Valleys and across to Rodborough and Selsley Common.
Café René beer garden in Gloucester
Café René’s sunny courtyard is one of a handful places to relax and catch some rays over a pint in Gloucester city centre, with a regular programme of live music showcasing some of the best bands and artists in the county.
The Exmouth Arms beer garden in Cheltenham
Boasting the largest pub garden in Cheltenham, The Exmouth Arms offers a sun-filled space to enjoy good pub grub, Arkell’s ale and live entertainment on the bustling Bath Road, with an outdoor pizza oven for alfresco eats, too.
The Ebrington Arms beer garden at in Chipping Campden
The charming Cotswold beer garden at The Ebrington Arms, near Chipping Campden, offers a gloriously sunny spot to sample the pub’s award-winning ales and top-quality food.
The Mount Inn beer garden in Stanton
Nestled at the heart of one of the Cotswolds' prettiest villages with breathtaking views across the Vale of Evesham towards the Malvern Hills and the Black Mountains in Wales, grab a table in the beer garden at The Mount Inn in Stanton to catch some of the most spectacular summer sunsets.
The Fleet beer garden in Twyning
Located on the banks of the River Avon in Twyning, near Tewkesbury, The Fleet makes for a spectacular spot to while away summer days with a drink in hand, with a locally-sourced lunch and supper menu — plus an outdoor pizza oven and Sunday roasts available, too.
Sandford Park Ale House beer garden in Cheltenham
With 10 cask ales and 16 kegs on offer at any time, Sandford Park Ale House
on Cheltenham High Street is a haven for beer lovers. It earned the title of Cheltenham CAMRA Pub of the Year 2023 — and for sun worshippers, it boasts a south-facing beer garden, too.
The Riverside beer garden in Lechlade
Perhaps one of the most picturesque riverside locations along the Thames, The Riverside in Lechlade offers an excellent range of pub food and fantastic views for visitors and their four-legged friends.
The Red Lion Inn beer garden in Wainlode
You’d be hard pushed to find better views of the River Severn than those from the garden at The Red Lion at Wainlode. This quintessential British pub sits right on the banks of the River Severn, near the village of Norton, and makes for an ideal spot to watch the Severn Bore.
The Black Horse Inn beer garden in Amberley
Located on Minchinhampton Common, the rear gardens of The Black Horse Inn in Amberley boast panoramic views of the Nailsworth Valley and the perfect spot to watch the sun set behind the hills on hazy summer nights.
DEYA Brewing Company beer garden in Cheltenham
One of the quirkiest places to get a beer in Cheltenham, the colourful DEYA Brewing Company has a brilliant destination taproom for outdoor drinking, plus a host of pop-up food stalls from Pietanic and Wild Pizza Co to Maasai Kitchen Kenyan barbecue.
The Bell at Sapperton beer garden
The landscaped garden and sunny courtyard area at The Bell at Sapperton is a gorgeous space to enjoy everything this gastropub has to offer, with locally sourced food from Cotswold pork and leek sausages and Wye Valley asparagus to elderflower panna cotta on the menu.
The Boathouse beer garden in Tewkesbury
Surrounded by the River Avon with views of the marina, The Boathouse in Tewkesbury makes a spectacular setting for sunset sips and riverside roasts — and plays host to an outdoor stage as part of Tewkesbury Live music festival in July.
The Royal Oak beer garden in Gretton
Just outside Winchcombe, The Royal Oak in Gretton is situated on a hillside providing gorgeous views of the Gloucestershire countryside, all the way to the Vale of Evesham, from its beer garden and conservatory — as well as a tennis court for hire!
The Three Horseshoes beer garden in Burford
From garden games to cracking views over the Windrush Valley, The Three Horseshoes — formerly The Maytime Inn — is a delightful Cotswolds pub near Burford that has an award-winning walled garden. The dog-friendly pub benefits from an outdoor bar, a wood-fired pizza oven and serves over 85 different types of gin, as well as craft beers and hand-picked wines.
The Pilot Inn beer garden in Hardwicke
With views overlooking the banks of the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal, the gardens of The Pilot Inn in Hardwicke offer a picturesque, waterside spot to enjoy a pint or two in idyllic surroundings.
The Edgemoor Inn beer garden in Stroud
While The Edgemoor Inn is popular for its traditional, home-cooked food, its extensive terrace is a popular pull, too — providing some of the best views over the Painswick Valley.
The Rising Sun beer garden in Cheltenham
While benches can be a real premium on sunny evenings at this small, sloping beer garden, The Rising Sun on Cleeve Hill treats pubgoers to some of the very best views in the whole of Gloucestershire.
The Aviator beer garden in Staverton
For anyone looking for a beer garden that's a bit different, The Aviator in Staverton offers pub-goers a completely unique experience, watching the planes taking off and landing at Gloucestershire Airport right next door.
