Summer may officially be over, but Londoners are being handed one last excuse to order a pint outdoors.
Temperatures in the capital could climb to 27C on Friday, September 25, according to the Met Office, with sunny spells expected as an unexpected burst of late-September warmth arrives.
The forecast makes this week feel less like the start of autumn and more like summer's final encore. So if you still have a pair of sunglasses lurking at the bottom of your bag, now might be the time to dig them out.
And if you fancy making the most of the sunshine with a cold drink, there are plenty of London pubs where you can do exactly that.
Condé Nast Traveller has picked out some of the capital's best beer gardens, from sprawling south London spaces to hidden Shoreditch courtyards.
Here are five worth knowing about if you're planning to make the most of the warm weather.
1. Leather Bottle, Earlsfield
Where: 538 Garratt Lane, Earlsfield, SW17 0NY
You could easily forget you're in south-west London at the Leather Bottle.
Located on Garratt Lane, the Earlsfield pub has a huge outdoor space filled with long benches, tucked-away corners and garden huts, making it a particularly good option if you're trying to squeeze a little more summer out of September.
The pub garden, which was voted one of London’s best on DesignMyNight, features cosy huts for up to 30 people, two outdoor garden bars and an outdoor burger shack.
One Google reviewer summed up their experience in rather poetic fashion, writing: “Came for a pint, stayed for the lot.” They went on to praise the food, atmosphere and staff, before admitting: “The only real problem? I’m always still here.”
2. The Duke of Edinburgh, Brixton
Where: 204 Ferndale Road, Brixton, SW9 8AG
If your ideal sunny afternoon involves a pint in one hand and something messy to eat in the other, The Duke of Edinburgh could be the one.
The Brixton pub, which was built in the 1930s, claims to feature the biggest pub garden in south London.
There's plenty to eat, with Jerk Valley of London's residency bringing jerk chicken, burgers, plantain and mac and cheese to the menu.
The garden closes at 9.30pm, so this is more of a daytime-to-early-evening destination. But with doors opening from midday at the weekend, there's plenty of time to settle in.
One Google reviewer said the Duke of Edinburgh is a “nice place” with “good, local beer.”
The reviewer added: “With a bit of luck, you might be able to play pool with some very friendly champions!”
3. The Albion, Islington
Where: 10 Thornhill Road, Islington, N1 1HW
From the outside, The Albion has all the polished charm of a Georgian pub, but head through to the back and you'll find a surprisingly spacious garden.
The 450-square-metre outdoor space is filled with greenery and trailing wisteria, giving it more of a country-garden feel than you'd expect from its Islington setting.
The pub has a long history of offering Londoners a little escape from the city, and its wisteria-covered frontage, cosy log fires and classic interiors still give it plenty of old-school charm.
A Google reviewer said they had a “good experience” from start to finish due to the “excellent” service and attentiveness.
4. Clissold Park Tavern, Stoke Newington
Where: 177 Green Lanes, Stoke Newington, N16 9DB
If your perfect beer garden involves a table full of food and somewhere to watch the football, Clissold Park Tavern ticks a lot of boxes.
The Stoke Newington pub sits just moments from Clissold Park and has a generous outdoor area with plenty of seating for sunny afternoons.
Pizza is the obvious choice for sharing with friends, while the pub also screens plenty of sport, meaning you can turn an innocent afternoon drink into an entire afternoon out.
One Google reviewer highlighted the lunch pizzas, dubbing them as “outstanding”.
5. The Crown and Shuttle, Shoreditch
Where: 226 Shoreditch High Street, E1 6PJ
The Crown and Shuttle is proof that you don't have to venture to the suburbs to find a decent outdoor drinking spot.
Just a short walk from Shoreditch High Street and Liverpool Street, the pub looks relatively unassuming from the street before opening out into a much larger garden behind it.
There are plenty of benches outside, while heaters mean you don't necessarily have to abandon your spot the moment the sun disappears.
It's particularly handy for groups looking for somewhere central, with small plates and plenty of sharing-friendly food available alongside the drinks.
A Google reviewer said: “Had a great time at this pub. Excellent food and service.
“Excellent food and service. Both Zara and Alfie took great care of our group. Would definitley come back!”
