The Gaggle of Geese, Buckland Newton, Dorset
Publicans Sarah and Simon Coloquon have created an enticing, entertainment rich garden at the Gaggle of Geese which is the cornerstone of the pub’s success.
The family-owned freehouse, which won this award in 2023, offers a wealth of activities in its five-acre garden including mini golf, table tennis, goat feeding, an ice cream shack with Mr Whippy machine, air stream wood-fired pizza trailer, outside bar, soft play bus, a camping and glamping field (including bell tents and shepherds hut), as well as playing host to a range of excellent community events.
New additions in the past year include another stunning shepherd’s hut and a successful partnership to offer axe throwing and archery experiences.
Investment in upgrading a double tipi tent (including installing wooden flooring), as well as offering bespoke food and drinks offers to those getting married, has also helped the Coloquons build a thriving garden wedding business over the past two years.
The Black Friar, Salford, Manchester
The stunning garden at the Black Friar, owned by Neil Burke, offers customers a wonderful city-centre oasis and the business an ever-growing revenue stream.
The pub (which has just celebrated its fourth birthday after being closed for 20 years prior) maximises garden trading throughout the seasons with its stylish heated and covered outside bar The Tavern (seasonally themed with furs and fires in winter and floral installations for spring/summer), wooden cabins and new barbecue area, which features a huge rotisserie and grill available for private events for 20 to 250 people.
The garden also features a wonderful stage area for live music and weddings, which are an ever-growing part of the business.
The stunning floral installation around the pubs’ entrance has also given this historic pub excellent kerb appeal and helps highlight the garden.
The Myrtle Tavern, Meanwood, Leeds
The two-tiered garden at the Myrtle Tavern, winner of last year’s award, is a central and ever-growing part of the pubs’ business. it offers a range of attractions and spaces which provide a year-round oasis for a range of ages and occasions.
Significant investment in the garden in the past year, both financially and with time spent in elevating the garden offer further, with all garden projects and maintenance done in-house, has helped boost business even further.
Publican Scott Westlake has created a well zoned outdoor trading space. The pub’s upper terrace features The Lodge bar, overlooking a lovely cricket pitch, wooden huts and stunning planting (including lots of pollinator friendly).
The bottom tier includes a recently revamped play area, private hire marquee with new Aspall garden, a horsebox food trailer for special events catering (housed in a new sheltered area), wildlife pond, greenhouse, potting shed, gin garden and enchanted woodland trail and rabbits for young guests to enjoy, as well as lots of hand-crafted wooden picnic benches.
The Mutton at Hazeley Heath, Hook, Hampshire
The beautiful garden at the Mutton at Hazeley Heath, created in partnership with Hortus Loci, a Chelsea Flower Show award-winning nursery, offers customers a tranquil space to relax with wonderful views across Hazeley Heath nature reserve, vibrant flowers, a wisteria covered pagoda and herb garden.
New for this summer was an outdoor kitchen with a state-of-the-art firepit which has been helping delight diners with an array of delicious dishes over the past few months such as smoked lamb cutlets and tonkatsu pork ribs.
Its wonderful shepherd’s huts also prove a popular spot for diners through the seasons, whilst its timber-made garden bar keeps guests on the terrace and in the main garden bar refreshed with drinks including signature cocktails such as The Hazy Heath crafted with local gin.
Among footfall driving events hosted at the pub is an annual Easter hunt and English wine festival.
The Hare & Hounds, Tingley, West Yorkshire
Publican Jackie and team have created a wonderful garden that’s at the heart of the pub’s success, and which caters for customers all-year around with a footfall driving programme of events and offers.
The enticing garden includes dome dining/drinking pods, a marquee with its own private garden area, bar, toilets and big screens (this becomes a cosy alpine ski lodge during the winter), lots of wooden benches with a stunning countryside view and hidden rock speakers to help create a wonderful atmosphere.
An outside food trailer ensures garden guests are well catered for, with the quality offer including woodfired pizzas. Delicious dishes to enjoy in the garden also include roasts in a box and tapas.
Four-legged friends are well catered for with their own water and snacks station.
Events include Sunday night live music and live sport screenings in the marquee, which also plays host to a range of private events including weddings, birthday and christening parties.
The Old Crown, Digbeth, Birmingham
The garden at The Old Crown, which was created on the site of an old car park, is at the cornerstone of its success and big investment in it over the past two years has seen its success develop even further.
The pub offers two spacious garden areas which can cater for around 750 people.
The addition of a striking canopy with a retractable roof has been a game changer for Birmingham’s oldest pub (657 years), enabling the pub’s garden to be a venue for all seasons, whatever the weather.
This 12 x 20m canopy garden features its own bar, lots of screens, DJs every Friday and Saturday nights and impactful events, including always sold-out quizzes featuring quizzers from ITV’s The Chase, such as a recent ‘Beat the Beast’ night, as well as open mic nights, Digbeth record fair and live sport events.
‘Garden 2’, which sits beyond the canopy garden, is also used all year, with a stretch tent providing cover during the autumn/winter.
This garden has also seen significant investment in the past year with a Guinness stage, new premium cocktail bar, striking murals and a street food hut and terrace built atop shipping containers among its attractions.
