Bath's best pub garden for a sunny afternoon is The Boater, right by Pulteney Bridge, which has one of the biggest outdoor spaces in the city and river views to go with it. For a livelier crowd, Bath Brew House on James Street West has a covered, heated beer garden with a retractable roof, so it works even when the weather turns. Here's where else to go, and what each does best.
Bath's pub culture leans heritage and history, which our guide to the best pubs in Bath covers well. But when the sun actually comes out, the pub you want isn't always the one with the oldest beams, it's the one with a decent patch of outdoor space. This list is about that: where to sit outside with a pint, in the centre and just outside it.
The best pub gardens in Bath
| Pub | Area | What it's known for | Food |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Boater | Argyle Street, by Pulteney Bridge | One of the biggest gardens in the city, river views | Yes |
| Bath Brew House | James Street West | Heated garden with retractable roof, own microbrewery | Yes |
| The Cork | Westgate Buildings, city centre | Large south-facing patio, sister pub to the Brew House | Yes |
| Green Park Brasserie | Green Park Station | Two covered terraces in a former Victorian station | Yes |
| The Marlborough Tavern | Marlborough Buildings, by Royal Victoria Park | Walled courtyard garden, food-led | Yes |
| The Grapes | Westgate Street | City-centre terrace, pub since 1792 | Yes |
The Boater
Argyle Street, a minute from Pulteney Bridge. This Fuller's pub has four bars, several dining areas and a genuinely large beer garden with river views over the Avon. It's central enough to walk to from almost anywhere in the city, and busy on any warm weekend, so get there early for a table if you want to eat as well as drink.
Bath Brew House
James Street West, near the top of town. The garden here was rebuilt with a retractable roof and an outdoor bar, so you can sit out under cover even if it clouds over. There's a working microbrewery on site, big-screen sport, and a Sunday roast that regulars rate highly. It's more of a big, sociable space than a quiet corner, so go here if you want atmosphere rather than a peaceful pint.
The Cork
Westgate Buildings, right in the centre. The Cork is The Bath Brew House's sister pub and has a south-facing patio that catches the sun for most of the afternoon. Expect burgers and bar food rather than a gastropub menu, plus karaoke pods and DJ nights once the sun goes down, so it skews towards a younger, louder crowd.
Green Park Brasserie
Inside the old Green Park Station building, which also hosts Bath's farmers' market on Saturdays. Two large, covered terraces mean you can sit outside comfortably even in changeable weather, and there's live jazz indoors through the week if you want to head in later. It's more restaurant than boozer, so this is the pick for a proper outdoor lunch or an evening cocktail rather than a quick pint.
The Marlborough Tavern
Marlborough Buildings, a short walk from Royal Victoria Park and the Royal Crescent. This is a food-first gastropub, and its walled courtyard garden is one of the most sheltered and pleasant spots to eat outside in the city, especially for a long Sunday lunch. Book ahead, it's popular.
The Grapes
Westgate Street, in a building that's been a pub since 1792. The outdoor terrace is more of a paved frontage than a garden, but it's a good, central spot to watch the street go by with a pint, and there's live music and vinyl DJ nights inside most evenings.
Honourable mention: outside the centre
If you don't mind a short trip out, pubs like the Old Crown Inn in Kelston and other village pubs just outside Bath tend to have proper lawned gardens rather than paved terraces. They're better suited to a lazy afternoon than a quick pint, since you'll want transport there and back.
The honest alternative
If you just want somewhere to sit outside near the centre with minimal fuss, The Boater and The Cork are both a short walk from the Abbey and rarely need booking for a casual pint. If you're after food and a proper garden setting, book ahead at the Marlborough Tavern or Green Park Brasserie, both of which fill up fast on the first sunny weekend of the season. For pubs known more for character and history than outdoor space, see the best pubs in Bath, and for eating out generally, see where to eat and drink in Bath.