With warm weather on the way, there are plenty of excuses to dine and drink outside - so we've rounded up some of our favourite spots right here in Hertfordshire!
Whether it’s a simple picnic with friends, a glass of Pimms sat on a café terrace, or one of those typically summery pub garden meals, Hertfordshire has no shortage of places to eat and drink alfresco. After all, alfresco dining needn't just be saved for holidays abroad.
With it’s gorgeous setting in a wooded valley on the edge of the Chilterns, the Alford Arms is the perfect place for a stop off if you just finished off a lengthy walk or fancy a getaway in the British country. Priding itself on fresh seasonal ingredients and local beers from the likes of Tring Brewery, it’s a true favourite in the area. Escape to the country in Frithsden
Resting just a stone's throw from the magnificent St Albans Cathedral, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks is the perfect place to sit outside and sup local brews after a day of sightseeing in the city. Soak up the sun in the beer garden, but don't forget to venture inside to top up your drinks and for a peak at the oldest pub in the country! Soak up sun and history
Image: Tony H Photo
Rump & Wade is well known across Stevenage and Hertfordshire for its delicious British staples. This summer, pull up a chair on the terrace and enjoy a lovely view of leafy Stevenage old town centre. Spending an afternoon lounging on the brightly coloured furniture is not a bad way to spend an afternoon. Brunch, lunch and dinner on the patio
Lussmanns, the sustainable Hertfordshire based restaurant brand, has an air of European-inspired cafe culture in the pretty village of Hitchin. The perfect place to sit and people watch over a sensational meal of local produce, a relaxed lunch might just roll on into the afternoon. Watch the world go by
Wonderfully characterful, the Golden Fleece is not only a perfect winter pub with its roaring fire, but an idyllic destination for that outdoor pub meal. Surrounded by beautiful cottages in Braughing, the award winning establishment caters for those warm days, with not one but two outdoor areas! The place to be in the Golden sunshine
Taking some food from home, wrapping it up into a basket and eating out in the countryside is one of Britain's favourite past times. We recommend relaxing into the summer season with a picnic by the side of the Grand Union Canal watching the boats wade past, or perhaps on the edge of the Great Hardmead Lake in East Herts, at one with the otters, butterflies and other wildlife.
Hertford Ready Camp is a perfect weekend or midweek getaway where you can enjoy outdoor dining at its finest. Each plot has it's own kitchen facilities and once you've cooked up a storm, you can head out onto the spacious deck area and enjoy home cooking under the moon lit sky. Eating and sleeping under the stars
Take a look at more of our food and drink recommendations across Hertfordshire.
