WITH the sun starting to make a more regular appearance, it’s only right to start thinking about where to go to enjoy a drink or snack outdoors.

Colchester has a range of pubs and restaurants with outdoor seating to enjoy in the warmer months.

There are lots of great options including Michelin star quality spots and dog-friendly gardens.

Below is a list of the best beer gardens in Colchester, according to TripAdvisor reviews.

1. The Wooden Fender

Where: Colchester Road, Colchester CO7 7PA

The Wooden Fender in Colchester has a traditional beer garden set up.

It has lots of picnic benches, on both a paved area and a section of lawn.

The pub has a rating of 4.5 for the food, service, value and atmosphere.

2. Sun Inn

Where: Feering Hill, Feering, Colchester CO5 9NH

The Sun Inn in Feering is rated as the top restaurant in Feering.

The pub has a rating of 4.5 for the food, service, value and atmosphere.

It has a cosy outdoor area with heaters and a seasonal tipi and fairy lights set up.

3. The Court House

Where: Harwich Road Colchester, Colchester CO7 7JG

The Court House has a decent sized outdoor area with wooden bistro dining furniture on a paved area with umbrellas.

The sun trap is popular with visitors in the spring and summer as the weather gets warmer.

The establishment has been rated five out of five for its food, service and atmosphere and received a 4.5 out of five for its value.

Dogs are allowed outside and in the bar of the restaurant.

4. Donkey and Buskins

Where: Layer Road Colchester, Layer de la Haye, Colchester CO2 0HU

The Donkey and Buskins has a large beer garden with lots of sun, surrounded by trees.

The pub has a rating of 4.5 for its food, service and value and a rating of four for its atmosphere.

5. White Hart

Where: Nayland Road West Bergholt, Colchester CO6 3DD

The White Hart has a large beer garden with plenty of seating on wooden picnic benches surrounding the pub.

It has a rating of 4.5 for its food, service and value and a rating of 3.5 for atmosphere.

6. The Dog and Pheasant

Where: East Road, East Mersea, Colchester CO5 8TP

Another pub with a generous beer garden to be enjoyed this summer, the Dog and Pheasant in East Mersea has a great space to the side of the pub with lots of picnic benches.

The pub has a rating of 4.5 for its food, service and value and a rating of four for its atmosphere.

7. The Cricketers

Where: Spring Lane, Fordham Heath, Eight Ash Green, Colchester

The pub in Fordham Heath has a 4.5 rating for its food, service, value and atmosphere.

There is a large beer garden at the rear of the pub, with plenty of tables to gather around.

8. The Fox Inn

Where: Mersea Island 106 East Road, Colchester CO5 8SA

The Fox Inn is a great local pub for residents in West Mersea.

It only has a small outdoor area but it has great ratings with a 4.5 for its food, service and value.

9. The Sun Inn

Where: High Street, Dedham, Colchester CO7 6DF

The Dedham pub is on the Michelin guide for its menu and wine list.

The pub in Dedham has a paved area with seating as well as a large beer garden with benches at the rear of the building.

It has a TripAdvisor rating of four for its food, service and value and a 4.5 for its atmosphere.

10. The Layer Fox

Where: 2 Malting Green Road Layer de la Haye, Colchester CO2 0JH

The pub has a rating of 4.5 for its food and service and a four for its value.

The pub has a small paved area with picnic benches to enjoy a summer pint.