Heatwave! London's most stunning terraces to wine and dine

This weekend is set to be a scorcher in the UK. But there are plenty of fantastic places the people of London can go to soak up the glorious sunshine. Like this brand new roof terrace, Wagtail, with 360 degree views of the capital that are second to none.

Photo courtesy of Miss London Concierge, London

The restaurant has done might well attracting visitors from far and wide with its prominent Instagram feed. It was so-called after Virginia Woolf’s best-known character and will not only keep you dry but also seep you warm with heaters and fluffy blankets, and everything you need to snuggle and reminisce with your family and friends.

Photo courtesy of The Bloomsbury - The Doyle collection.

A Michelin-starred seafood restaurant perched on top of the South Place Hotel. It's heated and delicately decorated with unrivalled views of the capital's landmarks. By night you can enjoy cocktails and delicious snacks, making this the perfect place for outside evening drinks.

Photo courtesy of the South Place Hotel

At the top of The Trafalgar hotel, this rooftop shows you the very best of the city. The Gallery offers premium al fresco dining, whilst The Deck allows for cocktails and evening chats, as well as a place to soak in the Autumn rays in their 'sun-drenched' conservatory.

Photo courtesy of The Trafalgar St James

The Glass Orangery boasts distinct views of East London with floor to ceiling height sliding glass doors spanning the length of the space which open during warmer weather. A fixed glass ceiling decorated with blinds, evergreen foliage and fairy lights keeps your group dry in the event of rain, although that doesn't look like it will happen this weekend! Perfect.

Photo courtesy of The Boundary

A former fire station dating from the 1880s, the Chiltern Firehouse is a high-end hotel surrounded by bars, restaurants and shops in the fashionable Marylebone district. The awnings each cover a massive 7500mm square area and incorporate economical directional heaters. The result creates a cosy environment in which you can eat al fresco or just lounge on one of the comfy sofas enjoying a quiet drink with friends. This little gem has welcomed the likes of One Direction, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence and the Beckhams.

Photo courtesy of Chiltern Firehouse

Boasting a gorgeous terrace (complete with sheepskin blankets, soft woollen rugs and an impressive heating system) that gives you the really feel of being in an English country garden. The head chef is Liv Burt, who you might recognise from Masterchef: The Professionals.

Photo courtesy of Stanley's

At the Eccleston Yards in Belgravia, you will find a gem tucked away, Wild by Tart. They have a beautiful, brand new heated terrace and it is really becoming THE place to see and be seen. The menu features seasonal ingredients that are mostly sustainably sourced and often from the owners' farms. Much of the cooking is done in the wood-burning oven or over a charcoal grill.

Photo: Instagram @wildbytart

The restaurant that features a de Gournay wallpaper, golden swan taps, a life-size Pegasus and a 1937 Picasso, you may not know that it also features a 22-ton retractable glass and steel roof by Waagner-Biro, the engineers behind the Reichstag dome and the British Museum’s Great Court. It retracts in just 2 minutes. An incredible engineering feat that keeps all 120 capacity dry while dining. You can eat native lobster, organic Scottish salmon with watercress and caviar, black truffle risotto and foie gras au torchon. But a meal for two will set you back about £300...

Photo courtesy of Annabel's (Arabella Chi visited on 14 April 2021, photo added)

This is a new favourite for many, and certainly a new celebrity hideout. The unrivalled views of St Pauls are breathtaking and the service and cocktails aren't too shabby either! Modern and fresh, this place is swiftly becoming to the new place to be.

Photo: Instagram @sabine_rooftopbar

Set in an incredibly accessible location, 30 Euston Square is a rooftop bar perfect for party events. They have food and drinks packages including BBQs and canapés and have a range of fun outdoor party games. Although the majority of the terrace is uncovered, there are parts where you can be under cover.

Take your seat with your guests in The Nest, their rooftop bar with 360-degree views of London. It really is a spectacle and you can rejoice in the lifting of lockdown while enjoying some of the hotel’s playful cocktails and tree-themes bar bites. Should the weather turn, you can pull across their awnings.

Located in Tower Hill, Savage Garden is at the top of the Hilton DoubleTree and has two terraces, giving you the best views of the London skyline including The Shard, Tower of London, The Gherkin and St Paul’s Cathedral. The food is theatrical and plentiful with many sharing plates and cocktails to share whilst taking in the views and the fresh air. The umbrellas conceal heaters, ideal for the Autumn nights.

Skylight is the rooftop bar of the incredible Tobacco Dock and offers both exclusive and shared party packages. Tobacco Dock was built in 1812 but restored in 2012, it is seen as one of the coolest events spaces in the capital. The large capacity and plentiful outdoor (and covered) areas mean that they're the ideal venue for small and large events.

This innovative idea opened just before the world closed down due to the pandemic and were finally able to open their doors to the public earlier in the year. The market itself is made of recycled shipping containers and have a strong ethical sustainability message, meaning no waste and no single-use plastic in the entire venue. They have twenty five food traders across the market, offering pretty much every cuisine imaginable, in a relaxed and open environment.

We love the Jurema Terrace at the The Mandrake Hotel. The space won Best Outdoor Space at the Global AHEAD Awards in 2019 and features a laid-back cabana design surrounded by a lush, evergreen sanctuary of hanging passion flower and jasmine plants with a wooden shack-style bar serving fresh cocktails. With large parasols to shade you or keep you dry, the venue is truly one of a kind.

Famous for their individual dining igloos that set the ‘igloo’ trend in London, The Coppa Club offers a comfy, yummy and no-fuss experience. Enjoy a meal on the terrace or in one of the igloos within your own personal covid-free bubble.

The Ivy in Chelsea. It's a gorgeous sanctuary in the midst of the London hustle and bustle. Our suggestion would be to visit for their weekend brunch, but booking is necessary. Their stunning candlelit orangery will keep you warm and dry.

The Ham Yard offers a heated courtyard restaurant right in the heart of Soho. The entire courtyard can also be covered. Sat underneath towering oak trees, it is a little oasis in the heart of London. A real gem with ever-changing menus, depending on the season.

Located in Southwark and specialising in fresh sea food with Spanish and Portuguese inspiration, you get a real luxury experience at the Seabird. The terrace is very spacious and is beautifully decorated. Raise a glass to your friends whilst you enjoy their famous ‘Afternoon Sea’ and look out over London Town. Just like many of these terraces, this comes with an awning that can be pulled over to cover diners.

Aviary is an iconic rooftop bar and restaurant located in Finsbury Square, famous for its breathtaking view. They also have bedrooms available for overnight stays within the same building. The rooftop features the Aviary which is perfect for enjoying the London sunset.

Just a stone’s throw away from Oxford Circus, right in the heart of London, this restaurant gives you covered and heated terraces with iconic views over London. The menu features traditional Spanish dishes which work perfectly for some shared bites as you catch up with friends and celebrate the warm weather with your nearest and dearest.