Sitting within an illustrious mid-century block in Dulwich, south-east London, is a beautiful one-bedroom apartment with almost unlimited treetop views – namely from its south-facing terrace. Built by Austin Vernon & Partners between 1957 and 1963, the design thoughtfully incorporated communal gardens into the estate, offering a sea of green below this home. As well as providing a sight for sore eyes, however, this top-floor pocket of outdoor space is planted with an abundance of sweet-smelling jasmine and has enough space for alfresco dining with a number of guests. Dinner with a view? Oh, go on then.

This third-floor one-bed flat located near the base of Hampstead Heath in Gospel Oak, north-west London, has a cosy balcony that doubles as a haven for those who like to enjoy their morning coffee in peace. Offering shelter from the elements, it can be enjoyed come rain or shine; if the sun is out, however, make a beeline for the building’s large communal roof terrace, which provides ample outdoor space. With its extensive views of greenery beyond – spot the heath in the distance – it’s the ideal place for getting a healthy helping of vitamin D.

Next to a grand weeping willow on the banks of the river Thames – not too far from Richmond Park and Kew Gardens, two of south-west London’s most beautiful green spaces – lies a former Victorian pub and hotel, which was repurposed as a residential block in the 1970s. This three-storey, three-bedroom apartment within it comes with a sun-soaked wraparound roof terrace laid with charming red brick underfoot – a secluded nest of sorts overlooking the surrounding wildlife, greenery and water. The home also has access to a quaint courtyard on the first floor, which is big enough for those with green fingers to pot plenty of plants.

Fancy yourself as a host with the most? This impressive three-storey renovation in Clerkenwell might just take your fancy, which has a pair of neatly laid terraces. One can be found on the first floor and is encircled by lush planted walls. It’s reached via floor-to-ceiling sliding glazed doors, which create a seamless sense of flow from the kitchen and dining room. The current owners have kitted it out with an outdoor kitchen too, ideal for BBQ season. And when that food coma hits, curl up in front of the fire pit on the second-floor terrace – or finish with a digestif in the hot tub…

Right in the heart of Hackney Wick, east London, stands a contemporary building home to a collection of warehouse-style apartments. This one in particular has a sophisticated private balcony, which has a retracting glass façade and offers refuge all year round. Here you can draw back the windows to feel that sweet breeze in summer or cosy up with a cup of tea and watch the rain pour down during the cooler months. But the pièce de résistance is the communal roof terrace, with its undisturbed views of the city’s skyline.   

A neighbour of the South Bank and Tate Modern, Bankside Lofts has an unmistakable golden exterior that shines bright in the thick of the city. A relic of the post-modernist movement and designed by Piers Gough, this remarkable building has unspoiled vistas, which can be appreciated from this apartment’s private bamboo-decked balcony – a prime spot to watch the buzz of daily life in London go by. For those seeking additional outdoor space, there is access to a lovely communal garden, dotted with trees, shrubs and plenty of seating to sit together with fellow residents.