25 best beer gardens in Gloucestershire

From sunny riverside spots and rolling countryside views to the newest urban outdoor bars, SoGlos raises a glass to 25 of the best beer gardens in Gloucestershire to try out in summer 2023.

By Zoe Gater  |  Published
When the sun shines, check out 25 of Gloucestershire’s best beer gardens.

The sun's out so 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!

With SoGlos’s journalists handpicking 25 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 in the sunshine.

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 stone’s throw 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

Dubbed simply as ‘the beer garden’ by many locals, the Imperial Garden Bar is one of Cheltenham’s most popular places to head when the sun starts to shine – for sunbathing, Pimm’s-drinking and people watching.

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 has a newly-extended beer garden to enjoy a pint and a slice of something delicious in the sunshine.

Dunkertons Cider beer garden near Cheltenham

Charlton Kings-based cider maker Dunkertons Cider has plenty of outdoor seating for people to enjoy its organic cider, as well as street food from the likes of The Woozy Pig and Humble Kusina – with regular quiz and comedy nights, too.

The Red Hart Inn beer garden in Longhope

The Red Hart Inn is a family-owned pub on the edge of the Forest of Dean, featuring traditional décor, locally-sourced food, a large beer garden and children’s play area, with barbecues on Saturday nights throughout summer.

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 ale, as well as large garden boasting picturesque views of the Five Valleys and across to Rodborough and Selsley Common.

Café Rene beer garden in Gloucester

Café Rene’s sunny courtyard is one of the few places to relax and catch some rays over a pint in Gloucester town centre. Don’t miss the legendary Desperate Dan Burgers and some of the best live music 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 eating, too.

The Ebrington Arms beer garden at in Chipping Campden

The charming Cotswold beer garden at The Ebrington Arms, near Chipping Campden, offers the perfect sunny spot to sample the pub’s award-winning ales and top-quality food.

The Norwood Arms beer garden in Cheltenham

Situated at the end of the popular Bath Road in Cheltenham, The Norwood Arms boasts a spacious beer garden and large patio area, with a range of real ales and pub grub served.

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 all of its visitors and their four-legged friends.

The Strand beer garden in Cheltenham

The Strand on Cheltenham High Street is a lively pub that pulls real ales and special ciders, with a large beer garden to relax in the sun and regular live music events, too.

The Red Lion Inn beer garden in Wainlode

You’d be hard pushed to find better riverside views than those from the gardens at The Red Lion at Wainlode, a quintessential British pub on the banks of the River Severn, near the village of Norton.

The Black Horse Inn beer garden in Amberley

The rear gardens of The Black Horse Inn in Amberley boast panoramic views of the Nailsworth Valley, providing a stunning setting for a laid-back summer of socialising in the sun.

DEYA Brewing Company beer garden in Cheltenham

Quirky and colourful, Cheltenham’s DEYA Brewing Company has a brilliant destination taproom for outdoor drinking, plus a host of pop-up food stalls including Marvellous Medicine and Wild Pizza Co.

The Bell at Sapperton beer garden

The landscaped garden and sunny courtyard area at The Bell at Sapperton is a relaxing space to enjoy everything the gastropub has to offer, from its delicious menu to its extensive drinks selection.

The Royal Hop Pole beer garden in Tewkesbury

The Royal Hop Pole in Tewkesbury is an impressive union of historic buildings from the 15th and 18th centuries, with a riverside garden for visitors to soak up the sunshine over a pint or good value meal.

Stroud Brewery beer garden in Stroud

The taproom at Stroud Brewery offers alfresco imbibing of its delicious organic beer. The canalside venue has plenty of seating and a takeaway hatch for food, while there's even the chance to have a go at stand up paddleboarding with its neighbours, SUP Stroud.

The Maytime Inn beer garden in Burford

The Maytime Inn is a delightful Cotswolds pub near Burford that has an award-winning garden. The dog-friendly pub benefits from an outdoor bar and a pétanque court and serves over 85 different types of gin, as well as craft beers.

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, riverside spot to enjoy a pint or two.

The Edgemoor Inn beer garden in Stroud

While The Edgemoor Inn is popular for its traditional, home-cooked food, its extensive terrace offers a popular pull, too – providing some of the best views in Gloucestershire, overlooking 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.

Tank beer garden in Gloucester

The small but perfectly-formed terrace outside Tank at Gloucester Docks offers refreshing pints of Gloucester Brewery beer and Fox’s Kiln Distillery gin, made just around the corner, as well as cider, wines and spirits.

The Swan at Coombe Hill beer garden near Tewkesbury

The Swan at Coombe Hill is a family-friendly pub, with a large beer garden and decked terraced area where you can enjoy the long summer evenings while treating yourself to one of the many local ales on offer.

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