Pub gardens and a pint in the sun are a winning combination—and Southend has just been crowned the best place in the UK to enjoy both.
A recent study by credit card brand Aqua ranked Southend as the top city for beer garden experiences, taking into account sunshine hours, rainfall, drink prices, and the number of beer gardens per 100,000 people.
The city came out on top for its warm weather, affordable drinks, and abundance of outdoor pub space.
Scott Yule, commercial director at Aqua, said: "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.
"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."
Read more
The study states Southend averages 241 sunshine hours in May, with just 41.55mm of rainfall.
Also revealed was that the average pint costs £4.75, while a soft drink is just £1.40.
With 15 beer gardens per 100,000 people, there are plenty of spots to choose from across the city.
Among the top-rated venues is The Castle Inn, described by reviewer Reece J as an excellent destination for food and service.
He said: "The staff were very professional and polite, the food was excellent, couldn’t do enough for you, would highly recommend this establishment to friends and family, long may they prosper."
The Crooked Billet, another favourite located on High Street, Leigh, also received praise for its atmosphere and service.
Lorraine C said: "We had a fabulous evening at the Crooked Billet. We only intended to stay for a quick drink with friends, but the service provided was so good that didn’t want to leave."
The full research is available on Aqua’s website and includes further details on how other cities ranked: https://www.aquacard.co.uk/building-better-credit/great-british-beer-garden
Share