The Great British Beer Garden
Our recent study reveals the best cities across the UK for a beer garden trip in 2026.
With spring and summer just around the corner, sunny evenings and warm days are nearly here, and there’s no better way to soak up the sun than with a crisp pint or a refreshing soft drink in a beer garden.
The beer garden is a true British institution, and the country offers a wide variety of outdoor drinking spots. But which city across the UK is best for pub gardens, and where can you find the cheapest pint to make the most of a sunny British summer’s day?
To find out, we analysed cities across the UK on factors such as the average price of drinks, average temperatures, amount of sunshine and rainfall, as well as the number of beer gardens.
As exciting as spring and summer plans can be, they can also be a source of financial stress for many. With this in mind, we’ve also gathered some top tips on how to budget this summer, so you can enjoy the warmer days without the extra worry.
The best cities for a beer garden trip
Enjoying the magic of a pub garden requires the perfect mix: a bit of sunshine, warm temperatures, reasonably priced drinks, and, of course, no rain. To find out which city offers the ultimate beer garden experience in the UK, we analysed the country’s largest cities against these key factors.
Southend-on-Sea takes the top spot for the best city for a beer garden trip, boasting the most sunshine hours of all locations analysed, at 241 hours on average, as well as the second-least amount of rain, at 41.55 mm on average. There, you’ll be able to enjoy a soft drink for just £1.40, among the cheapest in the ranking, or a pint for less than £5 (£4.75).
In second place comes Portsmouth, with temperatures averaging 12.8°C in May, among the warmest in the ranking, and relatively low rainfall of just 43.26mm. And with drinks costing under £5 on average, it’s a spot well worth visiting for a pint or soft drink with a sea view.
Coastal towns continue to impress, with Blackpool rounding off the top three, boasting 63 beer gardens to choose from - 43 per 100,000 people. The town offers the second-cheapest pint, at just £3.50, and 218 hours of sunshine in May only.
On the other hand, Manchester ranks as the least favourable city for a beer garden trip in the UK, with the lowest amount of sunshine hours in May at just 175 on average. Despite having 155 beer gardens on offer, that amounts to just five per 100,000 inhabitants. A pint there will also set you back £5.50 on average, slightly more expensive than in other cities on the list.
The Scottish cities of Glasgow and Aberdeen round off the bottom three, due to some of the lowest average temperatures in May, at 10.90°C and 9.98°C, respectively. Beer garden options are also limited in both cities, with just four per 100,000 people in Glasgow and 11 in Aberdeen.
The cheapest cities for a pint
There’s nothing better than enjoying a refreshing, cold beer on a warm, sunny day. But a pint of your favourite lager, pale ale, or stout can be even more enjoyable when it comes at an affordable price. Taking this into account, we looked at average prices across the UK to reveal which city offers the best value.
Tied for first place are Bradford and Hull, both offering pints at just £3.25 on average. Sunderland and Blackpool follow closely behind in joint second place, where you can enjoy your favourite tipple for £3.50. Preston rounds off the top three, with a pint costing £4.00 on average.
On the other end of the spectrum, London and Reading take the top spot for the most expensive pint, at £6.50 on average, double the price in Bradford and Hull. This is slightly more expensive than the figures recorded in our 2025 report, suggesting a cost of living that continues to rise. They are followed by Edinburgh and Bristol at £6.00, and Manchester, Leeds, and Norwich at £5.50.
For those who prefer non-alcoholic drinks, Leicester offers the cheapest soft drinks at £1.30 on average, followed by Wolverhampton at £1.37, and Southend-on-Sea and Milton Keynes at £1.40.
The cities with the most beer gardens
With so many beer garden options up and down the country, spring and summer are the perfect time to discover new favourite spots. And as the warmer months roll in, we also looked at which cities across the UK offer the most options relative to their population.
Dudley tops the list, boasting 57 beer gardens per 100,000 people, a total of 113 to settle into for a sunny afternoon or long summer evening. In second place is Blackpool, home to 43 per 100,000 people (a total of 63), followed by Portsmouth, which rounds off the top three with 35 pub gardens per 100,000 people.
Budgeting for your summer plans
Scott Yule, Commercial Director at Aqua, comments, “As the weather gets better, Brits tend to make more plans to see friends and family, and to enjoy the variety of events and places the UK has to offer. But more plans can also mean more spending, and without a clear budget in place and open communication with the people around you, it can be easy to overspend and stress about money. Finding new spots to suit your budget may also be a great way to enjoy the warmer season without breaking the bank or cutting down on the fun.”
Top tips for budgeting and saving during the summer season
Set a clear budget
As we’re heading into the warmer season, it may be worth thinking about how much you’re hoping to spend and being realistic about what’s manageable. If you’re not sure what your summer plans will look like, setting a rough budget could be a good starting point, helping guide you without adding any unnecessary pressure. Everyone’s financial situation is different, and knowing what you’re comfortable spending can bring a sense of ease. Where possible, it may also help to stay flexible, as a rigid plan can cut down on the fun and lead to financial anxiety.
Set open communication with people around you
Socialising can be financially draining, and when it comes to money, open communication with the people around can go a long way. While it’s not always easy to talk about finances, having honest and open conversations may help ensure you’re not spending above your means, and may be a good way to find alternatives that work for everyone.
Automate ‘summer fund’ savings
Creating a summer fund and automating your savings on payday may be a good way to head into the warmer months with a little extra money and less financial stress. Since it’s automated, you won’t even have to think about it - your summer fund will gradually increase without you realising it. Even if you decide to put £10 or £20 a month, these can add up quickly, and if you start now, you’ll be able to build a nice pot to spend on dinners out, festivals, or any summer plans that bring you joy.
Look out for free activities, the best deals, and loyalty programs
As you plan activities with friends and family for this summer, it may be worth doing a bit of research into what’s on offer around you for free. Social media, local council websites, and platforms like Eventbrite can be great places to start. Of course, not everything will be free, but some places offer good deals and discounts - apps like Eat Club, for instance, can help you save money on meals out, coffee shops, and more.
Considering loyalty programmes may also be a good savings option, as they often offer member-only pricing and rewards from partners
Drink Responsibly
Enjoying a drink with friends is great, but it’s important to do so responsibly. Overindulging can impact your health, finances, and decision-making. Always know your limits, pace yourself, and never drink and drive. If you’re out at a beer garden, plan ahead for a safe way home.
For more tips on responsible drinking, visit:
Sources and methodology:
Based on a seedlist of the 38 most populated cities in the UK, the research analysed a variety of different factors, including the average cost of a pint and soft drink, the average amount of sunshine, rainfall and temperatures in May, and the number of beer gardens per city, to determine where in the UK is the best for a pub garden trip. Metrics and sources included:
- Average price of a domestic beer | Numbeo
- Average price of a Coke/Pepsi | Numbeo
- Average temperature in May | Met Office
- Average sunshine hours in May | Met Office
- Average rainfall in May | Met Office
- Number of beer gardens | Use Your Local
Failure to make payments on time or to stay within your credit limit means that you will pay additional charges and may make obtaining credit in the future more expensive and difficult.
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