Today

With the autumn fast approaching, it's time get out there and experience the fantastic alfresco dining opportunities London has to offer.

Whilst the sun is shining grab your shades and head to one of the many cafes, bars or restaurants that have outside areas in which you can soak up the rays whilst enjoying some food and drink.

Even in central London there are a huge number of venues that are taking advantage of every outside space available to provide open-air areas for their customers.

In Leicester Square alone there are almost 1,000 seats outside the world renowned hotels, bars and restaurants where you can watch the world and the stars go by. As the home of British cinema, Leicester Square is the perfect place to catch an afternoon matinee, followed by a cappuccino and conversation outside one of the many cafes and bars.

Roof terraces offer great outdoor eating and drinking combined with fantastic views of the city. No. 5 Cavendish Square opened its new roof terrace in June. The wrap-around terrace offers sumptuous views over Marylebone and the West End and is the ideal way to escape the bustle of the streets below and enjoy a cocktail, digestif or canapés. The rooftop at The Trafalgar offers similarly impressive views but this time over Trafalgar Square and the surrounding areas.

Terraces are also a great place to while away a few hours in the sun. Chelsea Physic Garden's café has a terrace area with seating for 50 and a beautiful view across London's oldest botanic garden. Perhaps you've had a day's shopping and fancy a chilled glass of wine? The Sheraton Park Tower hotel in Knightsbridge is located just minutes' walk from Harvey Nichols, Harrods and Sloane Street and has a Parisian-style café, The Terrace at Knightsbridge, which is open from breakfast until late and has heaters, enabling guests to dine outside into the evening.

Perhaps one of the most well known terrace restaurants is the OXO Tower top floor bar, where guests can enjoy extensive views of London as well as their imaginative bar menu and drinks list.

Along the Thames are a multitude of venues that take advantage of their waterfront location and have outside areas that offer magnificent views along the River Thames. The South side of the River offers a multitude of al fresco dining opportunities. Southbank and Bankside are both teaming with restaurants, bars and cafes in which to enjoy a snack or meal with family or friends. At Bankside, The Founder's Arms pub has an outside terrace with spectacular views of the Thames. Alternative dining options in the area include Pizza Express and The Real Greek. In addition, the redevelopment of the 21 acre Southbank site has a pedestrian area bulging with bars and restaurants.

It doesn't just have to be at the weekend when you can enjoy an outdoor lunch, there are many places, for example in the City, that have open air areas where workers can have a break from the office and get some fresh air whilst having a business lunch. Dion, situated near to St Paul's underground station, boasts of an award-winning wine and champagne list and has a newly extended outside seating area where customers can enjoy views of St Paul's Cathedral. Another option within the city is the Addendum bar, at the Apex City of London Hotel.

Alternatively, you could just pack a picnic and enjoy one of London's many parks. A third of London is made up of green land so you are never too far from a patch of grass on which to stretch out on. Central London parks include Hyde Park or St James Park, alternatively try South London's Richmond Park which comes complete with herds of deer, Victoria Park in East London, which is host to various fun fairs and music events over the summer or Regent's Park in North London, which is just a stone's throw from London Zoo.

For further information on London venues as well as what to do in the capital over the summer months go to www.visitlondon.com.