I THOUGHT of this piece during the short spell of lovely weather at the beginning of April – when I hoped that summer, or spring at the very least, was finally making an appearance.

Here are a few places you might like to try out if you fancy a pint in the fresh air!

Taking the 62 Ilkley bus from Keighley, get off outside the Kings Arms in Silsden.

This has seven pumps serving a range including Saltaire, Rudgate and Wishbone, and tables tables with nice flower planters trying to keep that garden feel despite being by the busy roadside.

Over the road is the Punch Bowl – regular beers are Timothy Taylor’s Boltmaker and Wainwrights and a third guest, and whilst again not a garden as such, there are picnic style bench tables and seating at the front of the pub, well set back from the road giving a very pleasant pace to sit and sup.

Walking down into the centre of Silsden, there’s the Red Lion – four changing beers including Goose Eye, Bridgehouse and Saltaire, as well as the house brew Cobby’d Ale. There is an enclosed beer garden to the rear of the pub accessible by some steps.

A little further down the road is the Counting House – three changing beers, largely from local breweries , are in this quirkily-decorated café bar, which has a real sun trap of a small courtyard at the rear of the pub with wicker tables and seats giving a contemporary feel.

I walk out of Silsden and the bypass and find the Steeton Hall Hotel, set in mature grounds, ringed by trees. There is a landscaped grassy outdoor drinking area at the front. With a guest beer from Saltaire, it always has two ales from Taylor’s, usually Landlord and Boltmaker, and is a member of their prestigious Champions Club.

Back in Keighley, the Royal Oak on Damside serves Taylor’s (Golden Best and Landlord). This has a garden, complete with both shading and heating to cope with whatever the weather might decide to do.

The nearby Brown Cow has four picnic benches on the wide grassy area in front of the pub, and with a choice of seven beers of varying strengths, (one is always dark) as well as a real cider, this multi-award-winning local is sure to finish off a pleasant day in the sun….

Now we just have to get the sun!