Britain's best rooftop bars for summer

<p>Forget punting down the river: the spectacular <a href="http://www.thevarsityhotel.co.uk/roof-garden.php" target="_blank">Roof Terrace at the Varsity Hotel &amp; Spa</a> offers unrivalled views of the ancient city of Cambridge. Most of the&nbsp;University colleges can be seen from the roof garden, pimms in hand.</p>

<p>An a achingly cool urban utopia, the&nbsp;<a href="http://www.bootstrapcompany.co.uk/1_home" target="_blank">Dalston Roof Park</a>&nbsp;is covered in solar panels, allotments and grass, complete with mismatched chairs and a communal BBQ. The park is open daily with a cafe on site and the bar opens from 5pm weekdays and 3pm on weekends.</p>

<p>The only way to appreciate the architectural and historical delights of Edinburgh better than tramping through its ancient streets is to survey the city with a drink in hand from <a href="http://www.pointhoteledinburgh.co.uk/point-hotel-edinburgh/bars-at-the-point-hotel-edinburgh.html" target="_blank">The Sky Bar Edinburgh</a> at The Point Hotel. It's only open on the first thursday of every month so <a href="http://www.pointhoteledinburgh.co.uk/point-hotel-edinburgh/sky-bar.html" target="_blank">book in advance online</a>.</p>

<p>Set 100&nbsp;feet above Kensington High Street, <a href="http://www.roofgardens.virgin.com/en/the_roof_gardens" target="_blank">The Roof Gardens and Babylon Restaurant</a> are an oasis in the middle of London. Wander through the three themed gardens that are spread over 1.5 lush acres with a gin in hand and admire the stream, flowers and resident flamingos before heading to the 7th floor Babylon to take a look at the city skyline.</p>

<p>Aspers Casino brands its&nbsp;<a href="http://www.aspersstratford.co.uk/bars.html" target="_blank">Sky Bar</a> in Stratford as: &quot;Spacious, stylish, glamorous and unique&quot;. Sip cocktails and survey the impressive views out over east London and the remains of the olympic park or party to the wee hours at one of Sky Bar's regular live music events.</p>

<p>The architectural behemoth that is The Cube dominates the Birmingham city skyline and tempestuous chef <a href="http://www.theclubandspabirmingham.co.uk/marco-pierre-white" target="_blank">Marco Pierre White's Steakhouse Bar &amp; Grill</a> can be found right at the top. This ultra modern restaurant and bar combines exceptional food with panoramic 360 degree views courtesy of its 25th floor location and glass fronted alfresco balcony.</p>

<p>This impressive&nbsp;triangular building used to house the first radio broadcasts of the BBC back in 1922 and has now been revamped into the swanky <a href="http://www.melia.com/" target="_blank">ME Hotel and Radio rooftop bar</a>. The lofty lookout&nbsp;offers gorgeous views over all of London's most iconic sights, from St Paul's to The Royal Opera House and Waterloo Bridge and the bar has its own themed cocktails to match. Try the Mile High Margherita or the AM/FM.</p> <p></p>

<p><a href="http://www.eclectichotels.co.uk/great-john-street/roof-garden-playground.aspx" target="_blank">The Great John Street Hotel</a> used to be a Victorian school house and still has the separate staircases for boys and girls, only now a days they don't lead to a school playground, now they lead to an impressive rooftop bar. This secluded, south facing terrace gives visitors a bird's eye view of the Manchester city skyline and features a hot tub, sun loungers and a glass veranda. Hire it exclusively for the perfect cocktail event or private party.</p>

<a href="http://www.theglasshousehotel.co.uk/glasshouse/home" target="_blank">The Glasshouse</a>, with its striking architecture, central Edinburgh location and boutique vibe, is&nbsp; set at the foot of Carlton Hill behind the 150-year-old facade of the Lady Glenorchy Church. The hotel is also home to a one-of-a-kind two acre roof garden where the view of Edinburgh stretches as far as the eye can see.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.thetrafalgar.com/vista-homepage/">Vista at the Trafalgar Hotel</a>, which opens during the spring and summer months,&nbsp;offers incredible views over London, from the curve of the river Thames as is sweeps past the&nbsp;<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">spires of Westminster</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">&nbsp;to the arch of the London Eye. </span>From here,<span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">&nbsp;it feels as though you can almost reach out and shake Nelson's hand on top of his column.&nbsp;</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">Booking is now open</span><span style="font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">, so grab your perch in the sky now before the infamous British weather lets us down.</span></p> <p></p>