South West beer gardens

When the sun’s shining, nothing beats spending an afternoon in a leafy pub garden with friends. Here are five of our favourite South West beer gardens for fab food and refreshing sips

The NoBody Inn, near Exeter, Devon

Should the idea of a laid-back and lazy afternoon spent sipping a glass or two of something exquisite in a sunny beer garden sound like bliss, then take heed that The NoBody Inn offers an extensive wine list (with more than 30 available by the glass) alongside beers, ales and a hefty whisky collection. You can join family and friends at a table on the ample lawn, and team your favourite tipple with a pared-back selection of classic pub lunches and dinners crafted from seasonal ingredients.

The Cornish Arms, St Merryn, Cornwall

If top of your post-lockdown hit list is finding somewhere family-friendly which doesn’t compromise on food, then check out the spacious beer garden at The Cornish Arms in St Merryn. From proper beef burgers to steaming bowls of mussels, a simple British pub menu based on Rick Stein’s recipes guarantees that everyone – even the fussiest family member – can order something satisfying and delicious.

Three Tuns Freehouse, Great Bedwyn, Wiltshire

If hearty and homemade is at the top of your agenda, then a booking at Three Tuns Freehouse in the pretty Wiltshire village of Great Bedwyn is a smart idea. Chef proprietor James Wilsey and team pride themselves on crafting everything fresh in-house, including the breads, hand-cut chips and ice creams.

Lord Poulett Arms, Hinton St George, Somerset

As a nation we’re not known for our alfresco dining scene, but you can bet many of us will be making the most of it this year – whatever the weather. And pubs like Lord Poulett Arms must be applauded for their ingenuity in erecting marquees to shield diners from our typical temperamental weather.

Set in the idyllic hamstone Somerset village of Hinton St George, the pub welcomes visitors for rustic dining in the pretty courtyard garden. A carefully curated outdoor menu will no doubt satisfy pinings for pub classics – not to mention some special treats. 

Driftwood Spars, St Agnes, Cornwall

After an exhilarating hike along the South West Coast Path, there’s nothing better than spotting a pub at the end of the trail . Thankfully, Driftwood Spars at Trevaunance Cove has its own brewery and usually three of its own brews on the go.

Reward exertions by basking in sea air and feasting on fish and chips in the garden while refreshing the palate with the likes of a Bawden Rocks or Lou’s Brew. Other restorative dishes include steaks, burgers and the local Cornish catch. 

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