You just can’t beat a pint in the sun, especially in some of the top beer gardens across Dorset.

If you’re looking for some inspiration when it comes to sitting outdoors with friends and family now the warmer months and second May bank holiday weekend is here, we have got you covered.

We asked Dorset Echo readers on Facebook what they thought were the best beer gardens in the region – here are some of your favourites.

Some of the best pub beer gardens in Dorset

Gaggle of Geese

Location: Buckland Newton, Dorset, DT2 7BS

Dorset Echo: The award-winning beer garden at the Gaggle of GeeseThe award-winning beer garden at the Gaggle of Geese (Image: Supplied)

What better to start with than a pub in rural Dorset that scooped a prestigious national award for its beer garden just last year?

The five acre garden offers crazy golf, pygmy goats, an ice cream parlour, ping pong, tipis and a wood-fired oven.

The pub also has three shepherd’s huts for people to stay in and bell tents for camping in the garden.

Wyke Smugglers

Location: 76 Portland Road, Wyke Regis, Weymouth

Dorset Echo: Beer garden at the Wyke Smugglers Beer garden at the Wyke Smugglers (Image: Supplied)

This neighbourhood pub is fully embracing summer with cider slushies for £5.50 a pint - for either a refreshing mango or strawberry Lilley’s cider.

The Wyke Smugglers also has regular meat raffles to raise money for local charities and has themed food nights including burger nights and curry nights. A new food menu is also due to be launched. 

The Sun Inn

Location: Lower Burton, Dorchester

Dorset Echo: Beer garden at the Sun InnBeer garden at the Sun Inn (Image: Supplied)

This pub, much famed for its delicious carvery meals, has expansive seating in its  beer garden and front courtyard.

It refers to itself on its Facebook page as 'the little pub with a great big offering'.

The Sun Inn describes its outdoor facilities on its website as 'ideal for both the sunny summer months with a great front courtyard, rear patio area and garden, which also has a play area for the children.'

The Belvedere

Location: 33-34 High West Street, Weymouth

Dorset Echo: The much-loved 'Narden' at the BelvedereThe much-loved 'Narden' at the Belvedere (Image: Supplied)

Drinking al fresco is a popular pastime at independent freehouse the Belvedere - and it's no wonder this hidden gem in Weymouth received multiple nominations from readers.

It sounds like the Belvedere is fully ready to embrace the bank holiday spirit -you can hear original folk rock music with Jaunty from 9pm on Saturday and Matt Taylor will be performing on Sunday afternoon from 2pm. There will be a jam session for everyone on Bank Holiday Monday.

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Red Lion

Location: Hope Square, Weymouth

Dorset Echo: Red Lion, Weymouth Red Lion, Weymouth (Image: NQ)

The Red Lion's beer garden will offer some of the best seats in the house for this weekend's Fayre in the Square.

There is plenty of outdoor seating and the beer garden is perfect for people watching. 

This pub is close to Weymouth harbour and is popular with locals and visitors alike.

It is recognised for being the pub nearest to the Weymouth RNLI and is known as the lifeboat man’s pub.