The Northern Ireland beer garden named among UK's best

Lock down restrictions are set to ease over the summer months.

And when it's safe to lift the limitations on the hospitality industry - many people will be making their way back to their favourite pubs and beer gardens for a long awaited pint.

Last year, the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) unveiled its top 10 UK beer gardens.

And a Northern Ireland alehouse not only made the cut - it secured a place in the top three.

The pub was highlighted by CAMRA members who recommended its beer garden as part of its 'Summer of Pub 2019' campaign.

The Dirty Duck Alehouse, nestled on Kinnegar Road in Holywood, was described by CAMRA as 'an excellent beer garden with a stunning view of the harbour and a breakout bar in the beer garden in the summertime.'

Its highly rated outdoor area features the 'Quack Shack' where punters can order drinks and food from its friendly team of staff.

And heat lamps are turned on to keep guests cosy in area during the colder months.

The pub also holds a traditional downstairs bar and a restaurant upstairs offering panoramic views of Belfast lough.

When are the pubs set to open in NI?

Updates are yet to be announced regarding the re-opening of pubs, restaurants and other businesses within the hospitality industry in Northern Ireland.

Here is CAMRA’s full list of UK beer garden recommendations:

1. Blacksmith Arms, Bromley – a historic and picturesque pub located on high grounds amid beautiful countryside. It also has a delightful garden reflecting the landlady’s enthusiasm and is the only pub in the National Gardens Scheme 2015 Yellow Book.
2. Castle Tavern, Inverness – great views of the castle and the river, a lovely place to spend the day.
3. Dirty Duck, Holywood – an excellent beer garden with a stunning view of the harbour and a breakout bar in the beer garden in the summertime.
4. Druidstone, Haverfordwest, Wales – a stone built building that stands in 20 acres of wild garden on a cliff above the sandy beach of Druidston Haven.
5. Leggers Inn, Dewsbury – a family-friendly pub and restaurant situated in the wonderful canalside location of Savile Town Wharf in West Yorkshire.
6. New Inn, Wiltshire – a traditional thatched country inn in the heart of Kilmington boasting a lovely large beer garden.
7. Old Red Lion at Great Brickhill, Milton Keynes – a family-run country pub which has recently been refurbished with a beautiful beer garden with truly spectacular views over the Buckinghamshire countryside.
8. Sun at Coniston, Lake District – excellently located beneath the mountain of Coniston Old Man and with picturesque views over the village of Coniston.
9. Three Horse Shoes, Leek – set on the edge of Staffordshire Peak Park, it is ideally located with beautiful gardens, patios and stunning views over the surrounding countryside.
10. Woodman Inn, Durham – well-known in the region for having probably one of County Durham’s best beer gardens, this is a wonderful and generally peaceful place to relax with friends with a drink in the finer weather.