With summer nearly upon us, one of our great pastimes is heading to a pub for some tasty tuck and an ice-cold beverage. 

When the sun's out, heading to an establishment with a pub garden is even better. So, here is a rundown of some of the best beer gardens in the wider Swindon area...

The Crown Inn, Broad Hinton

This is one of the best-reviewed pubs in the area. This establishment has a 4.6 rating out of five from 454 Google reviews and gives you a picturesque view of the Wiltshire countryside.

It is dog friendly, has a garden and patio, and you can even get motorhome accommodation there. 

What's not to like?!

The Crown Inn at Broad Hinton, Broad Hinton, Swindon, SN4 9PA. https://crownatbroadhinton.co.uk/ 

The Clifton, Swindon

Voted Swindon Pub of the Year in 2022 and boasting a Google rating of 4.4, it is easy to see why many flock to this watering hole. 

It has outdoor seating, bar games, and, most importantly of all, has a glorious pub garden and patio area.

It is also dog-friendly and shows live sport on TV, but it does not accept reservations so make sure you turn up early!

The Clifton, Clifton Street, Old Town, Swindon, SN1 3PY. https://clifton-swindon.co.uk/

The Royal Oak, Bishopstone

This Michelin-rated pub provides a bed and breakfast, is in the Good Pub Guide, and has a lovely little pub garden to boot. 

On top of being dog-friendly, it comes alive even more in the summer because of its front terrace and you can even camp with pigs in late August. 

Plus, it has a 4.6-star rating on Google so what's not to like?

 

The Royal Oak, Cues Lane, Bishopstone, Swindon, SN6 8PP http://www.helenbrowningsorganic.co.uk/pub.html

The Red Lion, Cricklade

Perched just off the Thames Path, the Red Lion is the perfect end to a sunny walk.

Multi-award winning, it serves pub classics like burgers, bubble and squeak or ham, eggs, and chips – as well as fancier dishes such as pork cheek ragu and duck breast.

This 4-star hotel has a 4.4-star Google rating and its pub garden is a delight, particularly when the wisteria comes into bloom.

The Red Lion, High Street, Cricklade. www.theredlioncricklade.co.uk.

The Fox and Hounds, Wroughton

This charming pub garden regularly hosts live outdoor music in the summer and in addition to benches, it has dome dining, too. 

It has a function room, a farmyard paddock, a country setting and it is dog-friendly. 

Moreover, it has a 4.4-star Google rating from 686 reviews. Not too shabby!

 

The Fox and Hounds, Markham Road, Wroughton, Swindon, SN4 9JT. https://www.thefoxwroughton.com/ 

The Tawny Owl, North Swindon

This pub has a lot going for it. It has plenty of tables in the sun and undercover and a menu full of pub classics. 

You can stay overnight as there are rooms available, you can watch live sport on TV, it has a function room, a pool table, a children's play area, and more. 

It's dog-friendly and from 1,217 Google reviews, it has a rating of 4.1. Oh, and they offer live music, too. 

The Tawny Owl, North Swindon, Swindon, SN25 1WR. https://www.thetawnyowl.co.uk/

 

The Sun Inn, Swindon

You can almost have a full day out with this place. It is right next to Coate Water and the Richard Jefferies Museum, so if heading to this place last, it will be a well-earned meal. 

The pub garden includes a children's playground, there is often live music in the thatched shelter, and it is dog-friendly as well. 

Following 1,446 Google reviews, it has a 4.1-star rating. This is a bread and breakfast you will want to check out. 

 

 

The Sun Inn, Marlborough Road, Coate, Swindon, SN3 6AA. https://suninn-swindon.co.uk/

The Runner, Swindon

To finish up, this one is slap bang in the middle of the town. Fancy sitting on a terrace with a view of the river? Thought you would.

This idyllic spot has a great menu, a big garden, a pool table, a children's play area and it is dog-friendly.

It has a 4.2-star rating from 788 Google reviews and is open seven days a week. Not bad at all!

The Runner, Wootton Bassett Road, SN1 4NQ.
https://runninghorsepub.co.uk/