5 of the best winter terraces for alfresco dining

Words: Aobh O'Brien-Moody

In association with:

As the mercury drops and the dark nights draw in, it can be tempting to hole up at home with a good crime series and your go-to takeaway. But don’t let the wintry weather stop you from enjoying all that London has to offer. Across the capital, you’ll find winter-ready terraces replete with twinkling lights, roaring fire pits and seasonal food and drink menus. Here are five of our favourites to hunker down in this season.

With sweeping views over the London skyline, a seasonal vegetable garden and a plush lounge area, Ham Yard Hotel’s roof terrace is a year-round favourite. But the fourth floor terrace will really come alive this winter, as Ham Yard Hotel teams up with Sipsmith for a special Winter Gin Garden pop-up. From the 6th November, grab a hot water bottle and blanket, and tuck into a specially curated selection of hot and cold gin cocktails – including a fiery twist on the classic Toddy and a gin Sazerac – and fire-cooked food. What better way to warm your cockles on a frigid evening in Soho?

Every Sunday, south London locals flock to The Laundry Brixton for its legendary roast. Now, there’s even more reason to make the pilgrimage. From the 30th October, The Laundry’s Parisian bistro-inspired outdoor terrace will be getting a festive makeover, complete with cosy blankets and overhead heaters. Fully weatherproof and enclosed, it’s the ultimate way to enjoy a brisk London afternoon, minus the brisk part. Pop in with a pal for chocolate orange espresso martinis or book the entire venue for up to 70 guests.

A Covent Garden fixture for over 125 years, J.Sheekey continues to lure locals and travellers alike with its famous fish pie and elaborate shellfish platters. The J.Sheekey terrace may be compact (it seats up to 20 guests) but its intimate setting is part of its appeal. During winter, heaters and blankets are provided, and a retractable canopy means J.Sheekey diehards can enjoy their seafood on the terrace, rain, hail or shine.

Bloomsbury’s charming Dalloway Terrace gets a festive makeover during the winter months, complete with heaters and faux fur blankets. A special festive afternoon tea menu features seasonal sweet treats like hazelnut, coffee and caramel opera cake and classic mince pie, as well as buttermilk and sultana scones and savoury options like roast turkey and cranberry on onion bread and smoked salmon rillette sub roll.

The heated and covered courtyard at hidden Chelsea gem Stanley’s is the ultimate place to socialise in style come the winter months. Inspired by a quintessential English country garden, the colourful flower-festooned space reflects the vibrancy of its menu, which showcases fresh and seasonal British ingredients with dishes like burrata with squash and cavolo nero pesto, and pork cutlets with grape must and prunes.

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