If you're on our tip, but aren't feeling beer gardens and are tired of the usual suspects, here are some less discovered outdoor gems:

For people-watching with your pan-fried sea bass, head for Moro, whose terrace opens onto Exmouth Market; label-watchers, meanwhile, can dine al fresco until 1am at Embassy. Dockland's The Gun just gained a second sun terrace, complete with barbecue serving fabulous fresh fish from Billingsgate Market; Southerners should head for the award-winning Dusk in Battersea, whose patio comes complete with centralised ice trough, while N10's best kept secret is the new, hidden al fresco section at leading gastropub Victoria Stakes.

Those who can't score a white sofa seat at the Sanderson's terrace should head for the heights via the recently launched rooftop terraces of The Courthouse and Rockwell, which hold some of the best views in London – perfect for a scenic dose of oysters and champagne.

Sick of all those pesky strangers? For more intimate arrangements The Peasant in Clerkenwell has its own 12-seater secret garden brimming with beautiful plants, while the truly blessed of pocket can commandeer the rooftop studio of The Zetter overlooking St Paul's, which comes complete with floor-to-ceiling windows and patio.

So bundle up and get out there... There's not much time left.