The best Cambridgeshire beer gardens with shade to enjoy a drink outside

It’s been a hot one this week – so here are the best places to enjoy a drink outside in a shady spot

It’s been an extremely hot week, as people across Cambridgeshire have had to cope in record-breaking temperatures. With temperatures reaching up to 38C across the county, stepping outside your house may feel like a sauna – and inside is probably not much cooler.

A visit to the pub in this weather might not seem as satisfying as it usually would. However, there are a number of great pubs across Cambridgeshire that offer shade in beer gardens, allowing people to enjoy a chilled drink during the extreme heatwave.

The Hartford Mill in Hartford Marina

The Hatford Mill in Wyton offers visitors a tranquil view of Hartford Marina. In weather as hot as this, the pub’s cosy beer garden offers not only pretty views, but shaded seats to enjoy a drink in comfort.

There are also some seats in the sun if people want to brave it. The beer garden also has as many seats outside as it does inside.

If parents want to enjoy a drink in the sun, they can send their kids off to the Wacky Warehouse, which features a soft play and ball pit for children of all ages.

The Plough – Fen Ditton

The Plough in Fen Ditton has a very big beer garden that backs onto the River Cam. It is the ideal place to enjoy the sunshine, but also provides shade on scorching days.

The pub is praised for its friendly staff, good menu choice and “great variety and flavour”.

The Floods Tavern – St Ives

Another pub that backs onto a river is the Floods Tavern in St Ives. This backs onto the peaceful banks of the River Great Ouse.

It has plenty of outdoor seating, and the pub building provides shade for the garden. If you’re feeling peckish, the pub has plenty of good food options on offer.

Fort St George – Cambridge

The Fort St George in Cambridge is one of the city’s most famous pubs. The pub is also popular with Royals, as Prince William and Princess Kate enjoyed a meal there in 2012.

The pub is situated on Midsummer Common and is a good place to admire the River Cam. There are plenty of benches outside the pub with umbrellas, making it a peaceful place to enjoy the sun from the shade.

The Rupert Brooke – Grantchester

The Rupert Brooke is found in the historic village of Grantchester, well known for the ITV drama. The pub has become a favourite food spot for locals.

With hot weather like this, the pub’s large terrace area is a lovely place to enjoy a crisp cold drink, especially if the umbrellas are up. It has a menu to suit all food types, with a wide range of meals on offer.