Thanks to global warming, terraces are currently the hot (geddit) thing, so we thought we'd give you a round-up of some of the more civilised options in town, while those around you get mobbed by sweaty bodies in less salubrious surroundings.

You can't get much posher than taking the afternoon off to indulge in chocolate dipped strawberries and champagne, on the terrace at Brunello, overlooking Kensington Gardens.

Or, for something a bit more butch, head for the new Gaucho in Richmond and enjoy idyllic views of the Thames as you um and ah over which cut of beef would go best with which Malbec. While the veranda at Beauberry House is rather Great Gatsby - even if the very decent but modern Japanese food isn't.