Where are the best beer gardens in Durham?

The Boat Club has a heated riverside terrace beside Elvet Bridge with cocktails and city views; the historic Half Moon Inn on New Elvet has a riverside courtyard with cathedral views in summer; and The Kingslodge Inn in the woodland of Flass Vale has a peaceful garden a short walk from the centre.

Which Durham pubs are by the river?

Several of Durham's best outdoor drinking spots are on the River Wear, including The Boat Club by Elvet Bridge, the Half Moon Inn's riverside courtyard off New Elvet, Old Tom's Gin Bar on the Riverwalk and the Swan & Three Cygnets on Elvet Bridge, all with views towards the cathedral.

Do Durham's beer gardens get busy?

Yes. The riverside gardens fill up quickly on the first warm days of the year and at weekends, so it is worth arriving early for the best tables and checking current opening hours, especially for outdoor areas, before you set off.

Food & Drink

The Best Beer Gardens in Durham

When the sun comes out, Durham's riverside beer gardens are hard to beat. Our pick of the best spots for an outdoor drink by the Wear and beyond.

durhamcity.live·9 September 2026

There are few better places to enjoy a summer drink than by the River Wear, with the cathedral rising above the trees, and Durham has some genuinely lovely beer gardens to make the most of it. From heated riverside terraces to a tucked-away woodland garden, here is our pick of the best beer gardens in Durham.

The Boat Club

For sheer setting, The Boat Club is hard to beat. Housed in a five-hundred-year-old building right on the riverbank beside the medieval Elvet Bridge, its heated riverside beer garden looks straight out over the water and the rowing boats to the city beyond. There is an extensive cocktail menu with happy-hour deals through the week, and the Tomahawk Steakhouse upstairs if you want to make an evening of it. It is one of the most sought-after outdoor spots in the city on a warm day.

Best for: Best for cocktails and a heated terrace right on the river.

Half Moon Inn

Just across Elvet Bridge on New Elvet, the historic Half Moon Inn hides a real gem round the back: a riverside courtyard where, in summer, you can take your pint out and enjoy views towards the cathedral. A characterful listed pub named after its crescent-shaped bar, it pairs proper traditional-pub atmosphere inside with one of the nicest suntraps in the centre outside.

Best for: Best for a traditional pub with a riverside courtyard.

The Kingslodge Inn

For something greener and more relaxed, The Kingslodge Inn sits in the woodland of Flass Vale near the railway station, a short walk from the centre. Its well-kept beer garden is a peaceful spot for a garden pint or a leisurely meal, with daily specials showcasing local produce, and rooms too if you fancy staying over. The leafy setting makes it feel a world away from the busy Market Place.

Best for: Best for a calm, leafy garden away from the crowds.

More outdoor drinking

Beyond these, the Riverwalk development is home to spots like Old Tom's Gin Bar with riverside seating, and the Swan & Three Cygnets on Elvet Bridge has a terrace with cathedral views too. Riverside gardens fill quickly on the first warm days of the year, so arrive early for the best tables, and always check current opening hours before setting out.

Run a pub with a great beer garden in Durham? Get in touch and we will take a look.