It seems we can but watch as London’s climate careers wildly from summer bliss to total wash out, with little sign of a steadier May forecast in sight.
It’s with capricious weather that the capital’s thousands of roof gardens come into their own.
Generally decked, tiled or paved — so no agonising over artificial grass — these pretty sanctuaries offer respite from soggy lawns and heaving parks (depending on the day).
They’re also rarely overshadowed in the same way as a back garden, so tend to be the ideal spot to max out on ephemeral sunshine hours.
We’ve selected twenty of the best homes with rooftop terraces on the market now, from pretty sun traps to wraparound decks with hot tubs and more.
Mapesbury, NW2
£700,000
A two-bedroom, two-bathroom apartment within a period home, moments from Tube and Overground. There’s a pretty terrace as well as a communal garden.
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, 020 3873 1144
Forest Gate, E7
£465,000
This spacious and recently refurbed two-bedroom flat has a glazed double-aspect living space and a wraparound terrace. It’s on the market chain-free.
The Stow Brothers, 020 3907 3713
Battersea, SW11
£975,000
A bright two-bedroom, two-bathroom flat at the top of a Victorian house, with a suntrap terrace and a share of the freehold.
Lanigan Estates, 020 3909 6742
Clapham, SW4
£850,000
This three-bedroom midcentury house in located on a quiet no-through road. It has a good-size roof garden above the double garage.
Dexters, 020 8742 4140
Teddington, TW11
£1.195 million
An almost 1,800 square foot riverside apartment with vast terraces on two floors. There are two parking spaces access to a residents’ gym.
Curchods Estate Agents, 020 3835 3789
Oval, SW8
£799,950
An attractive modern house near the Tube with two equisized bedrooms and a full-width roof terrace. It’s being sold without an onward chain.
Dexters, 020 7650 5102
Putney, SW15
£800,000
A well-planned top floor apartment with two bedrooms and bathrooms, plus a substantial wraparound terrace. Further perks include parking.
James Anderson, 020 3871 8690
Kensington, W8
£1.22 million
A picture-perfect two-bedroom house crowned by an attractive tiled roof terrace, in prime spot between Hyde Park and Holland Park.
Foxtons, 020 3840 3635
Clapham Junction, SW11
£925,000
Two-bedroom maisonette with almost 1,000sq ft of living space, plus decked terrace with green outlook. Share of freehold.
Chatterton Rees, 020 3870 9597
Sydenham, SE26
£800,000
An unusual warehouse conversion across three floors, with two bedrooms, an extra study or dressing room and a full-width roof terrace.
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, 020 3870 5051
Holloway, N7
£1.5 million
The highlight of this slick three-bedroom apartment on the border with Highbury is the wraparound roof terrace – it’s around the same square footage as the flat itself.
Chestertons, 020 3872 5245
Stroud Green, N4
£550,000
A generous one-bedroom flat on the top floor of a handsome period building within walking distance of Finsbury Park station. The roof terrace overlooks gardens below.
Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward, 020 3870 5449
Finchley, N12
£800,000
A split-level top floor apartment with 1,200 square feet of space. Bi-fold doors connect the living area with a wraparound decked roof terrace.
Yopa, 01270 447764
Brixton, SW2
£495,000
This unconventional one-bedroom house on the border with Clapham offers solid wood floors, off-street parking and a bijou roof terrace.
Foxtons, 020 3889 9051
Stockwell, SW9
£850,000
A thoughtfully decorated two-bedroom flat at the top of a Victorian house in Stockwell, with a roof terrace overlooking green space.
The Modern House, 020 3834 8558
Kensal Green, NW10
£950,000
This deceptively spacious family home near the Tube has both a garden and roof terrace, as well as four well-planned bedrooms.
Portland Estate Agents, 020 3907 3546
Kennington, SE11
£950,000
A stylish three-bedroom flat with a large roof terrace in a particularly smart Georgian townhouse between the Tube and Kennington Park.
Winkworth, 020 3909 6728
Notting Hill, W2
£1 million
A huge landscaped terrace – with hot tub – crowns this two-bedroom flat on a Regency garden square. It’s within walking distance of two tube stations.
Foxtons, 020 3840 3635
Roehampton, SW15
£700,000
An airy, neutrally-decorated apartment with two bedrooms, landing study space and south-facing roof terrace, minutes from Richmond Park and Putney Heath.
Chestertons, 020 3870 7039
Fulham, SW6
In need of an internal refurb, this two-bedroom flat on the border with Chelsea is on the market without a chain. It’s offered with a share of the freehold.