It's set to be another scorching week, and while many are now planning to jet off for the summer - most of us will still be working through it.
So what better way to motivate yourself during the weekday than planning a trip to one of Essex's many beer gardens at the end of the working day.
Essex Chronicle readers took to our Facebook page to recommend their favourites. See 27 of yours below.
O'Connors, 7 Hall Street, Chelmsford, CM2 0HG
This Irish pub has a sheltered beer garden for the summer months and monthly acoustic nights. All food is freshly prepared and free Wifi is available.
Six Bells, Main Road, Boreham, CM3 3JE
The beer garden at the Six Bells has a large outside and play area equipped with swings, slide, climbing frames and a see-saw. The menu is coeliac and gluten friendly and strives to offer good value meals.
Hurdlemakers Arms, Post Office Road, Woodham Mortimer, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6ST
There is plenty of space in the Hurdlemaker's Arms' beer garden outside both the front and back of the pub. The garden is child-friendly and there is also a barbeque area in the summer months.
The Old Ship, Lockhill, Heybridge Basin, Maldon, CM9 4RX
A traditional waterfront pub offering all pub food including fish sourced from local fishmongers. The beer garden is located right next to the lock and from here you can watch the river traffic drift past.
The Anchor, Runsell Green, Danbury, CM3 4QZ
The Anchor is a traditional country inn with the beer garden decorated with flowers and bushes.
The Prince of Wales, 2 Prince of Wales Road, Great Totham, CM9 8PX
This traditional village pub has a peaceful garden to enjoy a beer in during the summer months with a sheltered area should the sunshine not last.
The White Swan, Main Road, Bicknacre, CM3 4EX
The beer garden is located at the rear of the pub and has a lockable gate.
The Riverside Inn, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, CM2 6LJ
The Riverside Inn offers a beer garden with atmosphere during the evenings with large lanterns and fairy lights to illuminate the seating areas. During the day, it has plenty of outside sofas available alongside the river for guest to relax on.
The Black Bull, 244 Rainsford Road, Chelmsford, CM1 2PN
The Black Bull is situated in the popular west end of Chelmsford within a mile of the railway station The beer garden wraps around the pub and has a covered area in case the summer weather does not deliver the sunshine we all hope for.
Blue Boar, Silver Street, Maldon, CM9 4QE
The historic buildings which make up the Blue Boar pub span 650 years of Maldon history and the beer garden is surrounded by them in a quaint courtyard. It offers five fresh ales on-tap which are all brewed on site at the Stable Brewery.
The White Hart Inn, 107 The Street, Little Waltham, CM3 3NY
The White Hart Inn has a large beer garden attached to one of the oldest coaching inns in England.
Queen's Head, The Hythe, Maldon, CM9 5HN
This pub boasts an enviable riverside location on the Blackwater River with the famous Thames barges moored alongside it. Those wishing to get a table inside or outside in the summer months are advised to book ahead because of the pub's popularity.
OAKhouse Bar Cafe, 35 High Street, Maldon, CM9 5PF
The OAKhouse has an extensive history in this market town and only in 2002 did it adopt its chameleon-like daily schedule providing food and drinks from breakfast through until 11pm during the week and until later on Saturdays.
The Jolly Sailor, Church Street, Hythe Quay, Maldon, CM9 5HP
The modest beer garden outside of the Jolly Sailor offers some of the great views of the Hythe Quay. The rare view of old Thames river barges make this an idyllic spot.
The Dog & Gun, Boreham Road, Little Waltham, CM3 3NF
The Dog and Gun was originally a coaching inn in the 1700s and was refurbished in 2012, keeping all of its original charm. There is a terrace which is covered with umbrellas and heaters that acts as an extension of the internal dining area.
Golden Fleece, Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1JP
Located in the centre of Chelmsford, the Golden Fleece has live music in the evenings and screens live football. It has a colourful, walled beer garden sometimes decorated with a mural.
The Flyer, Dickens Place, Chelmsford, CM1 4UU
To add to a large patio beer garden and restaurant, there is also an over 18s sports bar with its own TV screen.
The Wheatsheaf, The Green, Maldon Road, Hatfield Peverel, CM3 2JF
The Wheatsheaf offers ample free parking alongside a large beer garden which has plenty of space for children to play in. There is also a patio area with seating at the front of the pub which overlooks the village green.
The Angel, 160 Main Road, Broomfield, CM1 7AH
The Angel dates back to the 15th century and was originally a hall house; it was then converted to an inn in 1702. It offers a large beer garden with both patio and grass areas in a rural setting.
The Running Mare, Running Mare Lane, Chelmsford, CM2 8PN
The Running Mare oozes rustic charm and rural character in which to enjoy hearty pub food and a selection of cask ales and fine wines. The beer garden here is surrounded by a field and trees.
The Lodge, Hayes Chase, Battlesbridge, SS11 7QT
This family-run pub prides itself on always having an event on for people to enjoy and in good weather there are extensive gardens with a playground for families to enjoy.
The Bull, Blackmore End, Braintree, CM7 4DD
A lovingly restored pub and restaurant in a grade II listed building which dates back to the 15th century.
The Viper, The Common, Mill Green Road, Ingatestone, CM4 0PT
Although a smaller-sized pub, The Viper has a large beer garden at the back with seating available on the grass and also a patio with seating outside the front of this country pub.
The Compasses Inn, Littley Green, Chelmsford, CM3 1BU
This pub maintains a cellar boasting real ales and is not just a hot-spot for summer drinking.
The Fox Inn, The Green, Finchingfield, CM7 4JX
This pub is a renovated 16th century coaching inn overlooking the village green and duck pond. It offers food made with local produce and also a selection of real ales.
The Railway Tavern, 182 The High Street, Kelvedon, CO5 9JD
This pub boasts a riverside seating area where patrons can admire the variety of wildlife on the River Blackwater which runs alongside them. The Railway Tavern also offers afternoon tea.
The Bakers Arms, Common Road, Stock, CM4 9NF
Not only is there a large patio area and beer garden at the front of this pub, but a small garden attached to the restaurant at the back for al fresco dining.
