10 Best Cornish Beer Gardens for Spring and Summer

Grab your shades and pop the corks! With al fresco get-togethers green lit from 12 April, it’s time to book a table and enjoy a few drinks outside in the sun. Here we have picked our 10 favourite pub gardens in Cornwall to retire to after a day at the beach, on the water or in the countryside. Please check before you visit to see revised opening hours and if booking is required, as details may change regularly. Cheers!

1. The Falcon Inn, St Mawgan, Newquay

You’ll have to wait until 17 May to enjoy the Falcon’s stunning beer garden, but it’ll be worth it. The green lawn surrounded by mature trees is a haven – and one with a fine selection of ales, beers, ciders and gins. The boozer itself is a beautiful traditional 16-century coaching inn in St Mawgan near Newquay with a ‘proper pub’ atmosphere, serving decent food for hungry people – the full menu can be sampled outside, of course.

thefalconinnstmawgan.co.uk

2. The Fox’s Revenge, Summercourt

This award-winning pub and restaurant off the A30 near Newquay and Truro boasts a beautiful tipi festooned with fairy lights in its garden. Sip beers, wines and cocktails and try the amazing food from The Fox’s Smoke Shack. Chef-patron Ben has worked everywhere from Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen and Rick Stein to Sharksfin and Longstore, so you know the food’s going to be good. Warm and welcoming, this is the place to bring the family, the dog and an appetite – the famous Smokey Roast of beef, pork rib, chicken thigh or smoked vegetable loaf will be available every Sunday to eat in or takeaway from 18 April.

thefoxsrevenge.com

3. The Witchball, Lizard Peninsula

The Witchy, as it’s known locally, is touted as ‘the most southerly pub in mainland Britain’, so definitely one for your bucket list. Situated in Lizard village, the 600-year-old pub has a quintessentially Cornish garden, festooned with nets and buoys. There is a lovely fire pit area to keep you warm on nippier days, fresh seafood and plenty of seating – although, be warned, it’s a popular spot and first come, first served.

witchball.co.uk

4. St Kew Inn, St Kew

Tranquil, green and with a stream running through it, this pub garden is the epitome of Cornish olde world charm. The rural pub is a short drive from Padstow and Rock in the sleepy village of St Kew and is a real haven if you’ve had enough of the beach. Children will love the space, there’s plenty of shade for dogs and an abundance of Camel Valley sparkling wine and Tarquin’s gin. It’s open for bookings both indoors and out from 17 May. Meanwhile, grab a table on the lawn and enjoy some theatrical live fire cooking with chef Andi Tuck in the outdoor kitchen. 

stkewinn.co.uk

5. The Merrymoor, Mawgan Porth

This beachside boozer is the perfect pitstop for hungry, thirsty surfers. The large west-facing beer garden has plenty of space for families and their furry friends. It’s also great for catching the afternoon sun and doing a spot of people-watching as everyone comes off the beach. The Merrymoor keeps it simple – this unpretentious pub serves great food, decent drinks and wonderful views. 

merrymoorinn.com

6. The Cornish Arms, St Merryn

Part of the Rick Stein family, the Cornish Arms is a quintessential Cornish village pub with a lovely big beer garden. Its beautiful and peaceful countryside setting is a short drive from local beaches Harlyn, Constantine and Trevone. It’s the perfect place to stop for easy and delicious family favourites – the garden has plenty of tables and catches the sun until late.

rickstein.com/restaurants/the-cornish-arms

7. The Peterville Inn, St Agnes

Opening on 15 April, the Peterville Inn in St Agnes is celebrating outdoor drinking with a new  seasonal and locally inspired cocktail menu – expect quirky ingredients like gorse syrup in the Gorse Sour. Enjoy it on the brand-new decked outside space with sea views and an all-new outdoor menu, featuring dishes such as a delectable mozzarella, smashed pea, lemon and aged balsamic plate. Perfect for sunny sipping and springtime lunches. There’s no need to book – it’s first come, first served – and the pub will initially be open from Thursday to Sunday.

thepetervilleinn.co.uk

8. The Gurnard’s Head, Zennor

Painted an extraordinary shade of gorse-yellow, this unassuming, upmarket pub in the secluded village of Zennor is popular with families, walkers and foodies alike. The large beer garden boasts plenty of benches, jabula stretch tents for shelter and, of course, simply stunning coastal views. The pub is perched a hop, skip and a jump away from one of the most scenic stretches of the South West Coast Path between St Ives and Land’s End. Open from 12 April for breakfast, lunch and light bites.

gurnardshead.co.uk

9. The Working Boat, Falmouth

This harbourside pub boasts a huge marquee on its private quay. The self-styled ‘mar-quay on the sea’ will be open from 12 April, meaning al fresco dining on the quay whatever the weather, every day for brunch, lunch and dinner, as well as drinks from 10am until 10pm. Offering 15 beers and ciders on tap, the Working Boat knows its booze, and even has its own tipple: the Working Boat Brew. Soak up the sun, sea air and ambience in true Cornish style.

theworkingboat.co.uk

10. The Pandora Inn, Restronguet Creek

The 13th-century Pandora offers a ‘beer pontoon’ rather than a beer garden but with views this great, who’s nitpicking? Enjoy a drink and decent pub grub in a timeless creekside setting while watching the water and the wildlife. Children will be occupied with crabbing off the edge. Win-win.

pandorainn.com