BBC Gardeners World Magazine https://www.gardenersworld.com Fri, 16 Oct 2026 10:09:48 GMT en hourly 1 Win a three-day trip for two to IGA 2027, worth £1,000 https://www.gardenersworld.com/win/three-day-trip-for-two-to-iga-2027/ https://www.gardenersworld.com/win/three-day-trip-for-two-to-iga-2027/ Enter now for your chance to enjoy unique garden shows, industrial culture and memorable moments with a loved one in Germany’s Ruhr region Want to discover gorgeous gardens and striking landscapes next year? From 23 April to 17 October 2027, the International Garden Exhibition (IGA) is returning after ten years, and this time it’s opening its gates to the entire German region of Ruhr, instead of a single location.

Exploring the theme “How do we want to live tomorrow?”, IGA 2027 will bring together ideas for greener cities, beautiful open spaces and parks designed with the future in mind.
Former industrial sites, river landscapes and urban spaces will be transformed into places to explore, relax and enjoy – with changing seasonal displays and a programme of cultural events adding to the experience.

At the heart of the spectacular event are five Future Gardens, where you can discover imaginative approaches to landscape and horticultural design. There will be plenty of inspiration to take home, too, from planting combinations and garden design ideas to approaches that support wildlife and biodiversity in your own outdoor space.

Around 6,000 events are planned over the 178 days of the exhibition. View the full events programme here, find out more about the Future Gardens here, or if you’re already eager to start planning your visit, book your tickets here.

Prize details

One lucky winner will receive a two-night trip to IGA 2027 for two people, including flights, accommodation and entry tickets, worth £1,000.

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below correctly by 23:59 on 14 December 2026. The winner will be notified, and the prize arranged after this date.

Please read our competition rules before you enter. Entrants must be UK residents, aged 18 or over.

View Riddle on the source website

Terms and conditions

1. The Promoter is Immediate Media Company London Limited (company number 06189487).
2. The BBC Code of Conduct for competitions can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/competitioncode/ and all BBC magazines comply with the Code.
3. The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members.
4. The closing date for entries is 23:59 on 14 December 2026.
5. By entering the promotion, the participants agree:
   a) to be bound by these terms and conditions; and
   b) that their surname and county of residence may be released if they win a prize;
6. Entrants should enter by entering the relevant competition on gardenersworld.com by answering the correct answer to the competition question. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered.
7. Entrants must supply to Immediate their name, email address and telephone number. The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (https://www.immediate.co.uk/privacy/).
8. Only one entry will be permitted per person, regardless of method of entry. Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted.
9. The prize is a 2-night & 3-day trip to the IGA 2027 for 2 people, valued at £1000, to be taken at any time between 23 April 2027 and 17 October 2027 (inclusive). The prize includes:
   1. Flights to and from any major UK airport to either Düsseldorf, Dormund or Weeze, (depending on availability, at the promoter’s discretion).
   2. Accommodation for two nights in a 4-star hotel (at the promoter’s discretion), including breakfast, in proximity to the IGA 2027;
   3. Entry tickets to three consecutive days of the IGA 2027, between 23 April 2027 and 17 October 2027; and
   4. Public transport tickets in Germany, for transport from the hotel to the IGA 2027.
10. The winning entrant will be the first correct entry drawn at random from all the correct entries after the closing date. The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize.
11. The winner will be notified within 7 days of the close of the promotion by email. If the winner cannot be contacted or fails to respond within 28 days of such notification being sent, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to a runner up, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion.
12. There is no cash alternative and the prize will not be transferable. Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred. The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of the same or greater value.
13. The surname and county of residence of the winner will be available upon request by sending an SAE to IGA Competition, Vineyard House, 44 Brook Green, Hammersmith, London, W6 7BT within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winner before releasing this information and provide the winner the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared.
14. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control.
15. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility for lost, delayed or fraudulent entries.
16. The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to the winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize.
17. The promotion is subject to the laws of England.

]]> Explore the gardens of Dublin & the Wicklow Mountains https://www.gardenersworld.com/garden-offers/travel-and-events/gw-holiday-explore-the-gardens-of-dublin/ Tue, 13 Oct 2026 15:44:46 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/garden-offers/travel-and-events/gw-holiday-explore-the-gardens-of-dublin/ Immerse yourself in the beauty of gardens of Dublin & the Wicklow Mountains, from £2999pp, 18-24 August, 2027. Join our tailor-made tour as we open the gates to private venues, historical estates and botanical collections, plus enjoy six nights at the 4-star Killashee Hotel.

Book your place now

Tour dates: 18-24 August, 2027 Price: From £2999pp* Book online Or call to book, quoting code GWDBNOV26 on 020 7553 6945 PLEASE NOTE: This is a busy itinerary involving a large amount of walking, with little or no access to assistance. Please bear this in mind when booking.

Your holiday includes

• Six dinners with wine at the four-star Killashee Hotel, based on a shared occupancy of a twin/double room
• Light lunches at Tinode Gardens and Patthana Garden
• Welcome drink and presentation by tour expert David Hurrion
• Transfers and full touring itinerary
• Company of gardening expert David Hurrion throughout the trip

Your itinerary

• WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST Fly from London Heathrow to Dublin and transfer to the Killashee Hotel, where you can unwind amid the 55-acre Killashee Hotel Gardens and woodland before a welcome drink, David’s opening presentation and dinner with wine.
• THURSDAY 19 AUGUST Discover the exuberant exotic planting and wild valley landscape of Hunting Brook on a private tour with Jimi Blake, then explore the vivid colour, rare plants and sculptural grasses of June Blake’s Tinode Garden, with a light lunch included. The day concludes at Russborough, where grand parkland, lakes and a restored walled garden surround one of Ireland’s great historic houses.
• FRIDAY 20 AUGUST Begin at Trudder Grange Garden, a mature private garden of rare shrubs, herbaceous planting, wildflower meadow and productive spaces. Continue to Mount Usher, a celebrated Robinsonian garden flowing naturally beside the River Vartry, before a private tour of Kilmacurragh, famed for its extraordinary rhododendrons, magnolias, conifers and rare botanical collections.
• SATURDAY 21 AUGUST Explore Airfield Estate, an inspiring working estate where ornamental gardens, organic growing, farming and food come together, with time to browse the Farmers’ Market. Later, enjoy privileged access to Danesmoate, a private garden rich in magnolias and rhododendrons, with its developing walled garden and new glasshouse.
• SUNDAY 22 AUGUST Step into the colourful, imaginative world of Patthana Garden, artist T.J. Maher’s deeply personal creation, followed by a light lunch. Then travel to Huntington Castle Gardens, where a lime-tree avenue, Italian parterre, rose walk, water gardens and the ancient Yew Walk evoke centuries of garden history.
• MONDAY 23 AUGUST Experience the sweeping terraces, lakes, woodland and mountain views of Powerscourt, with time to discover its Italian, Japanese and walled gardens. Continue to Corke Lodge, a secret and romantic retreat of Gothic follies, woodland planting, Mediterranean cypresses and beautifully framed vistas.
• TUESDAY 24 AUGUST Conclude the tour at Ardán, a dynamic mountainside garden overflowing with eclectic plants, richly planted borders and intimate garden rooms, followed by Medina Garden, an award-winning coastal oasis with a tropical spirit, filled with palms, tree ferns, bamboo and architectural planting. Transfer to Dublin Airport and return flight to London.

Book your place now

Tour dates: 18-24 August, 2027 Price: From £2999pp* Book online Or call to book, quoting code GWDBNOV26 on 020 7553 6945 PLEASE NOTE: This is a busy itinerary involving a large amount of walking, with little or no access to assistance. Please bear this in mind when booking.

Terms and conditions

Organised by and subject to booking conditions of Travel Editions Tours Ltd. All timings are approximate and may be changed. Joining instructions sent 14 days prior to departure. Experts/locations may be substituted. Price excludes: transport to the hotel, holiday insurance, meals other than those stated, items of a personal nature such as drinks, laundry, calls, etc, porterage and gratuities. *Double room for sole use from £499pp, subject to availability at time of booking. Danesmoate tour with head gardener is subject to confirmation. Full terms and conditions at traveleditions.co.uk

]]> Win a HOTBIN composting bundle https://www.gardenersworld.com/win/hotbin-composting-bundle/ https://www.gardenersworld.com/win/hotbin-composting-bundle/ Enter now for your chance to turn food and garden waste into nutrient-rich compost at home in just weeks Autumn is the ideal time to clear away fallen leaves and prepare your garden for winter. But it’s also the perfect opportunity to make more of your kitchen scraps – and HOTBIN is here to help two lucky winners do just that.

With a HOTBIN composter, you can recycle food and garden waste, including cooked food, small bones and weeds, turning it into nutrient-rich compost in as little as 30 days. Its insulated design helps keep the composting process active all year round, so you can reduce household waste while creating peat-free compost for your garden, season after season.

HOTBIN has also been named a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for being the fastest composter tested, as well as the best choice for small spaces. So, whether you’re an experienced gardener or completely new to composting, it makes it easier to waste less, grow more and keep your garden looking its best.

Prize details

Two winners will each receive their choice of one of the following:

- HOTBIN Mini 100-litre Essentials Bundle, worth £243

- HOTBIN 200-litre Essentials Bundle, worth £313

Each bundle is packed with everything you need to get started with hot composting at home, including the HOTBIN, a HOTBIN Plinth and a HOTBIN Garden Kneeler.

The HOTBIN Plinth raises your composter off the ground, making it easier to collect liquid fertiliser, while the HOTBIN Garden Kneeler provides comfort when gardening or harvesting compost.

How to enter

To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the question below correctly by 23:59 on 9 November 2026. The winners will be notified and their prizes arranged after this date.

Please read our competition rules before you enter. Entrants must be UK residents, aged 18 or over.

View Riddle on the source website

Terms and conditions

1. The Promoter is Immediate Media Company London Limited. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with Facebook/Instagram.
2. The BBC Code of Conduct for competitions can be found at www.bbc.co.uk/competitioncode/ and all BBC magazines comply with the Code.
3. The promotion is open to all residents of the UK, including the Channel Islands, aged 18 years or older, except the Promoter’s employees or contractors and anyone connected with the promotion or their direct family members.
4. The closing date for entries is 23:59 on 9 November 2026.
5. By entering the promotion, the participants agree:
   a) to be bound by these terms and conditions; and
   b) that their surname and county of residence may be released if they win a prize; and
   c) that should they win the promotion, their name and likeness may be used by the Promoter for pre-arranged promotional purposes.
6. Entrants should enter by inputting the correct answer to the below multiple choice question.
   Which bird builds a mound of decaying vegetation and uses the heat generated by it to help incubate its eggs?
   A. Egyptian plover
   B. Robin
   C. Australian brush-turkey
7. Entries received after the closing date of the promotion will not be considered.
8. Entrants must supply to Immediate Media Company Limited their full name, email address and daytime telephone number.  The Promoter will use entrants’ personal details in accordance with the Immediate Privacy Policy (www.immediatemedia.co.uk/privacy-policy).
9. Only one entry will be permitted per person, regardless of method of entry.  Bulk entries made by third parties will not be permitted.
10. The winning entrant will be the first correct entry drawn at random from all the correct entries after the closing date.  The Promoter’s decision as to the winner is final and no correspondence relating to the promotion will be entered into. The Promoter may share the details of the winner with the prize provider for the purposes of fulfilling/delivering the prize.
11. The winner will be notified within 14 days of the close of the promotion by email. If the winner cannot be contacted, or fails to respond within 10 days of such notification being sent, the Promoter reserves the right to offer the prize to a runner up, or to re-offer the prize in any future promotion.
12. There is no cash alternative, and the prize will not be transferable.  Prizes must be taken as stated and cannot be deferred.  The Promoter reserves the right to substitute the prize with one of the same or greater value.
13. The surname and county of residence of the winner will be available upon request by sending an SAE to creative@immedite.co.uk within two months of the closing date of the promotion. The Promoter will contact the winner before releasing this information and provide the winner the opportunity to object or limit the amount of information shared.
14. The Promoter reserves the right to amend these terms and conditions or to cancel, alter or amend the promotion at any stage, if deemed necessary in its opinion, or if circumstances arise outside of its control.
15. The Promoter does not accept any responsibility for lost, delayed or fraudulent entries.
16. The Promoter excludes liability to the full extent permitted by law for any loss, damage or injury occurring to the participant arising from his or her entry into the promotion or occurring to the winner arising from his or her acceptance of a prize.
17. The promotion is subject to the laws of England.

]]> What to do now https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/what-to-do-now-2/ Thu, 24 Sep 2026 16:50:50 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/how-to/grow-plants/what-to-do-now-2/ Gardens of the Year 2026 – Best of the Best – winner revealed! https://www.gardenersworld.com/news/gardens-of-the-year-2026-best-of-the-best/ Tue, 15 Sep 2026 10:33:36 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/news/gardens-of-the-year-2026-best-of-the-best/ Thank you to everyone who voted in our Gardens of the Year 2026 competition. After showcasing your top three gardens in our June issue we can now reveal our ultimate winner – Nadine Mitschunas and her Oxfordshire allotment. Congratulations to passionate gardener and expert ecologist Nadine, who beat 20 fellow finalists and then a people’s vote ‘top three’ to be our ‘Best of the Best’ for her stand-out garden, now spanning three adjoining plots and a shared space wildflower meadow at Fir Tree Allotments, Wallingford.

The competition was judged by BBC Gardeners’ World presenter, Arit Anderson; garden designer and author, Ann-Marie Powell; BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Director of Brand Voice, Kevin Smith, and Head Gardener at Crocus, Ashley Edwards, all of whom praised Nadine for her naturalistic design, biodiverse planting, sustainable approach and immersive atmosphere.

• To read more about Nadine’s garden then and now, and what the judges had to say, plus practical tips and advice on planting for wildlife, grab a copy of the October issue or subscribe here.

• For a full tour of Nadine’s allotment garden with presenter Ashley Edwards, head over to our YouTube channel

• For more inspiration from a truly shared space for plants, pollinators and people, tune into our podcast.

• For a reminder of all 20 gardens in our Gardens of the Year 2026 ‘Best of the Best’ competition, from 2016-2026, scroll down.

About our partner

Let Crocus help you create your dream garden. Enjoy 20 per cent off full-price plants with code GOTY20

We’re proud to partner with Gardeners' World for the Gardens of the Year 2026 competition and help bring your dream garden to life.

For over 20 years, we’ve offered the UK’s widest range of plants, trees and shrubs, plus high-quality gardening tools and expert advice. Discover more on our website or download our free gardening app, Iris.

Why choose Crocus?

• Rated Excellent by 50,000+ customers
• Named Best Ethical Buy by the Good Shopping Guide
• Working with the country’s leading Garden Designers at RHS Chelsea Flower Show and beyond

Best of the Best - meet our finalists

Congratulations to all 20 finalists in our Gardens of the Year 2026 ‘Best of the Best’ competition. For a reminder of each fantastic garden, see the full line-up below. Thanks also to everyone who voted for their favourite garden, with a special shout-out to Jo and Andi Butler and Pam Woodall, who, along with Nadine, made it into the top three.

2016

Steve Moodey, Abingdon, Oxfordshire
Winner – Small space category

View Gallery on the source website

Taking advantage of microclimates within his south-facing plot, Steve transformed a small, overlooked, clutter-filled garden into a tropical hideaway using dense structural evergreen foliage for privacy and to add to the tropical feel, and some tall exotic plants for scale and drama. A curved path through the various vistas also added movement and a sense of journey.

Magda D’Ingeo, Reigate, Surrey
Winner – Family Plots

View Gallery on the source website

The arrival of Magda’s daughter made her see her new build through fresh eyes, inspiring the creation of a natural playground that would entice her family outdoors, stimulate the senses and share her love of plants. Areas for play included a scented bower and rope swing, a vine-covered treehouse, and multi-tasking features such as decking and a sandpit doubling as a coffee table.

Pam Woodall, Poole, Dorset
Winner – Wildlife Gardens

View Gallery on the source website

Opening up what appeared to be an impenetrable jungle of brambles and fallen trees, Pam then multiplied useful plants by seed and division to create a lushly vegetated garden. Adding a pond, vibrant flowers, log-edged paths for a woodland feel and keeping mature trees, the space then attracted a host of wildlife, including birds, amphibians, insects, squirrels, badgers and deer.

2017

Caroline Cassell, Waltham Abbey, Essex
Winner – Small Space and Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Dividing a traditional cottage garden into a series of rooms, Caroline was able to add multiple spaces in which to enjoy the romantic and exuberantly planted borders, including a circular dining area and lawn, and a patio and deck placed to catch the afternoon sun. Climbers such as fragrant honeysuckle, small trees and box balls helped to blur boundaries, draw the eye upwards and add structure.

Helen Rushton, Inverurie, Aberdeenshire
Winner – Wildlife Friendly

View Gallery on the source website

What started as a derelict croft and rough farmland slowly evolved into a bucolic, biodiverse haven for wildlife with sweeping meadows, native shrubs and hedging, three ponds, and dozens of boxes for bats and nesting birds. The compost heap attracts pygmy shrews while roe deer roam among the wildflowers. The whole garden teems with bees, butterflies and invertebrates.

Caroline Critchlow, Mainland, Orkney
Winner – Challenging Plot

View Gallery on the source website

Battling with storm-force winds, Caroline and husband Kevin transformed their derelict plot using stone walls to create pockets of shelter, raised beds with staked plants and mesh-centred windbreaks, charming sculptures and a spectacular linear pond. The setting’s fantastic view of the Scapa Flow inspired a colour palette of resilient plants that would reflect the sea, with the design drawing the eye to what lies beyond.

2018

Wayne Amiel, South London
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Wayne took his narrow, north-facing site, full of builder’s rubber and on a different level to the ground-floor of the house and turned it into a little slice of his Jamaican childhood. The whole thing was done on a shoestring budget, using bold exotic foliage for a jungle feel, an intimate seating area of painted chairs, pots of vibrant blooms, and small trees and obelisks of climbers for height and shelter.

Richard Small, Tyne and Wear
Winner – People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Visualising his small concrete yard as a plant-filled oasis, Richard painstakingly assembled a calming vista of containerised evergreens and a restrained palette of all-white flowers, including alliums, foxgloves, lobelia and lupins. Terracotta-coloured tiles and gravel were also employed to create a link to the house, with lighting bringing the garden to life in the evenings.

2019

Frank Bowdler, Wigan
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Frank’s garden was originally dominated by a long side lawn with leylandii hedging and patches of sparse planting. Over several decades, he filled it with hundreds of plant species, clever topiary, an old well covered with clematis, and meandering paths through the packed borders. A circular brick patio provided a focal point at which to stop and enjoy the abundance.

Annette Eales, Hampshire
Winner – People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

This lawn-to-cottage garden project was as much about gardening as therapy as it was about creating a peaceful sanctuary for Annette and her family. The immersive and artistic space included a potting shed, pathways and pergolas, pollinator-friendly plants and wildflowers that complemented the meadow view beyond, a sheltered seating area and repurposed furniture serving as pots.

2020

Elizabeth and Malcolm Schofield, Buckie, Moray
Winner – Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice 

View Gallery on the source website

Given the task of turning a steep hill above a public footpath on the north-east coast of Moray, Lizzie, Malcolm and their daughters created a flower-filled paradise for all to admire, combining tropical planting and a gravel-pathed coastal aesthetic. Small, raised beds were added for growing vegetables, wildflowers sown on the bank, and the kids took full advantage of the slope via a built-in slide.

2021

Thomas Jose, South Yorkshire
Winner – People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

After developing a series of hidden shelves on which to show off his beloved collection of Japanese maples, Thomas then crammed every space with plants for year-round interest, but also to enhance the colourful autumn display provided by the acers. Many of the plants are in pots, so an extensive but sustainable irrigation system was needed to keep the garden at its best.

Nadine Mitschunas, Oxfordshire
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Nadine took on a sunny, weed-choked allotment site and created a paradise bursting with blooms and buzzing with wildlife. Working across three plots, hundreds of ornamental species grow alongside an abundance of fruit and vegetables, and, through her work as a pollinator ecologist, she has included stunning naturalistic planting that encourages a host of wildlife to visit.

2022

Vicky Ward and Maxine Stringer, Cornwall
Winner – People’s Choice 

View Gallery on the source website

Steep inclines, exposed conditions and a truly remote location were some of the challenges Vicky and Maxine overcame as they gardened their allotment-style plot by the sea. Stone, reclaimed wood, found objects and a host of tropical but resilient plants were brought along the coastal path to be integrated into what is now a garden in which to also enjoy the sea.

Nicola House, Kent
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Designing a holiday-at-home sanctuary where her family could truly feel rested was a big impetus behind the creation of Nicola’s naturalistic idyll. Taking a relaxed approach to planting meant mixing ornamentals, wildflowers, veg and herbs, while almost every structure has been donated, upcycled or repurposed. The shed is a particularly important place to gather around a fire and enjoy the view.

2023

Clive-Johnson Cooper, Edinburgh
Winner – Judge’s Choice and People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

When Clive moved into his house, there was no garden, just a makeshift extension that the previous owners used as a living room. Having gardened since childhood, he used his passion to create a courtyard oasis just streets away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, focusing on the careful positioning of structured and tropical foliage to create a private and immersive green space.

2024

Sara Faulkner, Raynes Park, London
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Sara’s small, urban back garden is now a nature-loving haven for family and wildlife with several seating areas, a summerhouse, and vintage furniture and pots to give it a boho, lived-in feel. Dividing the plot into three interwoven sections and planting multiple small trees, shrubs and climbers around the boundaries to create depth and privacy, plus colourful perennials, this layered garden now provides year-round interest.

Andi and Jo Butler, Telford, Shropshire
Winner – People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Jo and Andi were largely inspired to create their lushly planted tapestry of creatively designed garden ‘rooms’ by their travels in Asia, using upcycled materials and propagated plants and flowers, and working around several mature trees. It includes multiple innovatively lit seating areas, a greenhouse and a grow-your-own area, an extensive collection of roses and hostas, and an abundance of wildlife-friendly planting.

2025

Simon Richards, Folkestone, Kent
Winner – Judge’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Simon’s beautiful gravel garden was partly inspired by attempts to upkeep a traditional lawn over recent hot summers. With recycled turf and soil and added structure from two interlinked, wildlife-friendly ponds, a drought-tolerant prairie-style planting palette was introduced throughout the bed, borders and pots. Places to sit and take shade completed the picture.

Kamal Hussain (Kaan), Saltaire, Yorkshire
Winner – People’s Choice

View Gallery on the source website

Creating a colourful, flower-filled garden that brings joy to passersby while providing for pollinators and other beneficial wildlife was the inspiration behind Kamal’s transformation of this tiny canal-side space. A bijou seating area surrounded by containerised plants, flowers and climbers provides a place to read, relax, and watch the world go by. It’s also a haven for passersby who stop to share the joy.

]]> Want to boost your garden's privacy? Try any of these 37 perfect plants https://www.gardenersworld.com/premium/want-to-boost-your-gardens-privacy-try-any-of-these-37-perfect-plants/ Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:20:15 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/premium/want-to-boost-your-gardens-privacy-try-any-of-these-37-perfect-plants/ Want privacy FAST? These 37 ridiculously fast-growing trees, climbers and shrubs will block the view in no time. Nosy neighbours or unsightly views spoiling your garden? These trees, climbers and shrubs are the perfect solution, providing privacy and interest throughout the year.

1: Italian cypress (Cupressus sempervirens)

A go-to choice for vertical drama and privacy in the garden, the Italian cypress’s tall, slender form is ideal for screening out neighbours. It fits neatly into small spaces with minimal spread, yet can reach impressive heights of up to 45m in its lifetime. The evergreen foliage provides year-round coverage, giving you privacy whatever the season. With regular watering during establishment and occasional trimming, it's an effective green barrier, even in exposed spots.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 15m x 2.5m (in 20 years)

2: Holly (Ilex aquifolium)

Holly is a classic evergreen that's invaluable for adding more privacy, offering dense, prickly foliage that forms an impenetrable barrier. Its glossy, dark green leaves and bright red berries provide year-round interest and security. Plus, it’s hugely valuable for wildlife, offering shelter and food in winter months. Holly tolerates both sun and shade, thriving in a variety of soils, and can be clipped into formal hedges or left to grow naturally. Its robust nature and adaptability make holly a long-lasting solution for privacy.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 15m x 4-8m (depends on variety)

3: Photinia x fraseri ‘Red Robin’

Photinia ‘Red Robin’ is a vibrant evergreen shrub or small tree, prized for its striking red young leaves and dense growth. It creates an effective privacy screen with foliage that forms a thick barrier, blocking views and softening boundaries. Left unpruned, it produces clusters of white flowers in summer. Photinia is well-suited to urban gardens, coping with pollution and responding well to regular trimming to maintain shape and density. Its colourful new growth brings brightness to screening, offering privacy with a splash of colour and interest throughout the year.

Type: Tree/small shrub

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 6m x 4m

4: Holm oak (Quercus ilex)

This robust evergreen tree is perfect for year-round privacy. Its leathery, dark green leaves are dense enough to block unwanted views, while its rounded crown can be clipped into formal shapes or grown naturally for a softer look. Holm oak can cope with salt-laden winds and urban pollution, making it a reliable choice for coastal and city gardens alike. It can also act as a windbreak in exposed gardens. It provides a permanent green backdrop and can even be used as a large hedge. With its resilience and longevity, holm oak offers enduring privacy, structure and shade, especially in gardens exposed to the elements. Holm oak is harmful to pets, particularly dogs, if eaten. It can become invasive in the wild, so it shouldn't be planted near ancient semi-natural woodlands.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 5/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 8m x 6m (in 20 years)

5: Cherry laurel (Prunus laurocerasus)

Cherry laurel is a popular choice for dense, evergreen screening. Its large, glossy leaves form a thick, impenetrable barrier that remains lush throughout the year. Fast-growing and tolerant of pruning, cherry laurel quickly creates privacy, making it ideal for new gardens or when rapid cover is needed. It thrives in sun or shade, and produces upright clusters of white flowers in spring, followed by fruits in autumn. But plants should be clipped before the berries develop, as cherry laurel can be invasive if the seed is spread by birds into the wild. Whether clipped into a formal hedge or left to grow more freely, cherry laurel is a stalwart for reliable, green privacy. Cherry laurel is harmful to humans and pets if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 2/5

Height x spread: 6m x 5m (in 20 years)

6: Japanese privet (Ligustrum japonicum)

This versatile evergreen has long, pointed leaves and an upright habit which creates a narrow yet effective visual barrier, ideal for small spaces. The dense foliage of Japanese privet blocks unwanted views, plus in autumn, it bears clusters of white flowers. Hardy and tolerant of most soils and aspects, it provides privacy with minimal fuss. Harmful to humans and pets if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Shrub/tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

7: Strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo)

The strawberry tree is a handsome evergreen shrub or small tree, valued for its year-round privacy and ornamental appeal. Its dark green, leathery leaves form a dense canopy, and in autumn it delights with clusters of white, bell-shaped flowers and striking red fruits, which appear at the same time as the fruits from the previous year are ripening. The rough, reddish bark and bushy habit add interest as well as privacy to the garden. Hardy and wind-resistant, the strawberry tree is an excellent choice for coastal gardens or exposed sites.

Type: Shrub/tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 5m x 4m

8: Tree fern (Dicksonia antarctica)

With a tall, fibrous trunk and dramatic crown of arching fronds, the tree fern is a great choice for garden privacy. It can create an effective screen, particularly in shady or damp corners where other plants may struggle. The wide, spreading fronds provide dappled shade and seclusion, making it ideal for creating intimate seating areas or screening patios. In mild areas, it remains evergreen; in colder regions, it's deciduous, and the crown should be protected over winter.

Type: Tree fern

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 5/5

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

9: Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Cornubia’

This semi-evergreen shrub or small tree is perfect for informal privacy screens. Its arching branches are clothed in glossy green leaves, which remain for much of the year, and its growth habit creates a natural, sheltering barrier. In early summer, clusters of white flowers attract pollinators, followed by a profusion of red berries in autumn that provide a source of food for birds. The older leaves turn bronze before falling, adding seasonal interest. Cotoneaster frigidus ‘Cornubia’ is a good choice for wildlife-friendly gardens needing an attractive screen that offers privacy without harsh lines or dense, formal hedging.

Type: Shrub/small tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 6m x 4m (in 20 years)

10: Hornbeam (Carpinus betulus)

Hornbeam is a native deciduous tree, often used for pleaching or as a formal hedge. Its dense, apple-green foliage forms a solid screen in spring and summer, providing privacy when it’s most needed. In autumn, the leaves turn yellow and orange, many remaining on the tree through winter in sheltered spots, giving continuous privacy. Hornbeam is tough and adaptable, coping with exposed sites and damp soils. Its natural columnar habit can be enhanced with pruning, making it suitable for both traditional and modern gardens. Hornbeam is a reliable, attractive choice for seasonal privacy and structure.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 10m x 6m (in 20 years)

11: Ornamental pear (Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’)

With its naturally upright, pyramidal habit forming a neat, dense screen, the ornamental pear is ideal for smaller gardens where space is at a premium. Early into leaf in spring and among the last to lose foliage in autumn, it offers a long season of cover. In spring, the tree is covered in white blossom, and the glossy green leaves turn attractive shades of red and purple in autumn. Tolerant of pollution, ‘Chanticleer’ is a reliable option for urban gardens. The fruits of Pyrus calleryana ‘Chanticleer’ are not intended to be eaten.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 5m x 3m (in 20 years)

12: Silver birch (Betula pendula)

This is the go-to tree for those seeking a light, airy screen that doesn’t cast dense shade. Its delicate, fluttering foliage allows dappled sunlight through, making silver birch perfect for providing privacy without feeling hemmed in. The striking white bark provides year-round interest, particularly in winter when leaves have fallen. Birches can be planted in groups to create a naturalistic grove, which not only screens out unwanted views but also creates a tranquil atmosphere. Their modest root spread and upright habit mean they’re suitable for medium gardens. Silver birch attracts wildlife, offering food and habitat for birds and insects.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 25m x 10m

13: Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia)

Rowan, or mountain ash, is a slender tree that’s ideal for screening in smaller gardens or exposed sites. Its upright growth habit makes it easy to slot into tight spaces, while the feathery foliage provides a soft, natural screen. In spring, it bears creamy white blossoms, followed by bright red or yellow berries in autumn, which are a magnet for birds. The light canopy allows some sunlight through, preventing a garden from feeling closed in. Rowan’s tolerance of wind and poor soils, along with its wildlife value, makes it an excellent all-rounder for adding privacy and seasonal interest.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 2/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 15m x 7m

14: Field maple (Acer campestre)

Field maple is a native British tree with a rounded crown and dense, lobed foliage, making it an excellent choice for screening. It’s well-suited to medium or larger gardens, forming a thick, leafy barrier that blocks out unwanted views. The leaves turn a glowing yellow in autumn, providing a burst of seasonal colour. Field maple is tolerant of urban pollution and a wide range of soils, making it a practical option for many gardens. Its modest size and manageable growth rate mean it can be kept in check, while its wildlife value is a bonus for nature lovers.

Type: tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 15m x 8m

15: Snowy mespilus (Amelanchier lamarckii)

This beautiful small tree is covered in a froth of star-shaped white flowers in spring, just as the coppery pink young leaves unfold. Later in the year, the tree develops dark berries, and the foliage turns vivid shades of red and orange in autumn. Its moderate size and bushy habit make it ideal for screening in smaller gardens, while the seasonal changes provide year-round interest. Amelanchier lamarckii is tolerant of most soils and thrives in sun or partial shade, making it a versatile privacy option.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 12m x 4m

16: Hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna)

This versatile plant can be used as a hedging plant, a clipped shrub or left to grow into a small tree. The thorny stems will help to deter thieves, and the plant itself helps wildlife with spring blossom and autumn berries. In spring, hawthorn is covered in white or pink blossom, followed by glossy red fruits in autumn, both of which support wildlife. The compact size and tough nature of hawthorn mean it copes well with exposed conditions and poor soils.

Type: Shrub/tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 8m x 6m

17: Crab apple (Malus spp.)

Crab apples are valued for their dense, rounded crowns, which make them effective for screening and adding privacy to the garden. In spring, they are smothered in blossom, creating a showy display and providing a feast for pollinators. The foliage forms a leafy barrier through summer and, in autumn, colourful fruits appear, attracting birds and adding further interest. Many varieties grow to a compact, manageable size, making them well-suited to smaller gardens. Crab apples are tolerant of most soils and can be grown as standards or multi-stemmed trees, offering flexibility in creating a natural, beautiful screen.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 10m x 5m

18: Golden rain tree (Koelreuteria paniculata)

Golden rain tree is a deciduous tree with a broad, rounded canopy providing effective screening, while the pinnate leaves create a lush, textured backdrop. In summer, it produces bright yellow flowers, followed by decorative, lantern-like seed pods. The pretty foliage is pink-bronze in spring and yellow in autumn. This medium-sized tree has a rounded crown and does best in a sunny spot. Golden rain tree is tolerant of pollution and copes well in urban settings, making it a practical choice for screening patios or seating areas. Its ornamental qualities mean it doubles as a feature tree as well as a screen.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 10m x 10m

19: Yew (Taxus baccata)

With its dense, dark green foliage that forms an impenetrable barrier, yew is perfect for formal hedges or as a standalone specimen. It's slow-growing but responds well to clipping, allowing it to be shaped and maintained at the desired height and width. It thrives in most soils, except waterlogged ground, and is happy in sun or shade. Yew’s longevity and ability to regenerate from old wood make it a long-term investment in privacy. The red berries add a splash of colour in autumn and provide food for birds. Yew is toxic to humans and pets. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 5/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 20m x 10m

20: Copper beech (Fagus sylvatica Atropurpurea Group)

Copper beech is a striking choice for garden privacy, with its glossy, deep purple leaves forming a dense, elegant screen. As a hedge or specimen tree, copper beech offers both height and structure, making it suitable for large gardens. Its upright growth and thick foliage block out noise and unwanted views, while the changing leaf colour adds a dramatic touch to the landscape. Copper beech is tolerant of most well-drained soils and can be clipped to maintain a neat, formal appearance. It's harmful to dogs if eaten.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 25m x 15m

21: Garden privet (Ligustrum ovalifolium)

Privet is a classic choice for creating privacy in gardens, forming a dense, long-lasting hedge that acts as a robust green boundary. Ligustrum ovalifolium is fast-growing, making it ideal for screening. Privet is semi-evergreen, so it retains much of its foliage through winter, ensuring year-round cover. It tolerates a range of conditions, including urban pollution, coastal winds, and poor soils. Once established, privet can be clipped into neat, formal shapes or left to grow more informally, providing shelter and privacy as well as a haven for wildlife. Harmful to humans and pets if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Tree

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 2/5

Height x spread: 4m x 3m

22: Berberis

Berberis is a versatile shrub well-suited for privacy screens and hedges. Its colourful foliage, spring flowers and autumn berries make it an attractive addition whilst its dense, thorny branches create an effective barrier, deterring unwanted access and providing excellent cover. Many Berberis species are evergreen or semi-evergreen, ensuring privacy throughout the year. Berberis thrives in a range of soils, including poor and dry sites, and is tolerant of urban conditions. Its dense structure also provides valuable shelter for birds, making it a practical and attractive choice for privacy in the garden.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: Depends on species and variety

23: Firethorn

Pyracantha, also known as firethorn, is an evergreen shrub prized for its ability to form dense, impenetrable screens. Its thorny branches create a tough barrier, ideal for privacy and security along boundaries or against unsightly structures. Pyracantha can be trained as a hedge or grown against walls and fences, adapting well to shaping. In addition to privacy, it offers seasonal interest with creamy-white flowers in summer and a profusion of bright berries in autumn, attracting birds. The shrub tolerates shade and various soil types, making it a reliable choice for year-round screening in both sunny and shady gardens.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: Around 4m x 4m, but it depends on the variety

24: Camellia japonica

This evergreen shrub provides elegant, year-round privacy in the garden. Its glossy, dark green foliage forms a dense screen, perfect for blocking views and creating secluded spaces. It will thrive in shaded or partially shaded spots in acid soils. In early spring, it produces showy, long-lasting blooms that add a touch of glamour and seasonal interest to privacy plantings. Camellias can be grown as informal hedges or grouped together for a living wall of foliage and flowers, delivering both beauty and privacy without sacrificing ornamental value.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: Typically around 2m x 3.5m, but depends on variety

25: Viburnum (Viburnum tinus)

This evergreen shrub is valued for its ability to provide reliable privacy in the garden. With dense, bushy growth that forms an effective screen, it’s perfect for boundaries or as a backdrop for other planting. Viburnum tinus produces clusters of white or pink-tinged flowers in winter and early spring, followed by blue-black berries. It will tolerate shade and a variety of soils, making it suitable for challenging sites. The year-round foliage ensures continuous privacy and shelter for wildlife.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

26: Hydrangeas

Hydrangeas are popular for their lush, leafy growth and impressive flower heads, making them superb for informal privacy screens. Hydrangea macrophylla and Hydrangea paniculata are deciduous but provide dense seasonal cover, while Hydrangea seemannii is an evergreen climber, offering year-round screening. Their large leaves and abundant blooms create a sense of enclosure and seclusion, with the added bonus of long-lasting summer colour. They thrive in moist, well-drained soil and cope well in both sun and partial shade. Hydrangeas are a skin allergen, so wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling, and they're harmful to pets if eaten.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 5/5

Height x spread: varies

27: Skimmia (Skimmia japonica)

This compact evergreen shrub is perfect for providing year-round privacy in smaller gardens or shaded areas. Its dense, glossy foliage forms a neat, low hedge or screen, ideal for front gardens, patios or as underplanting for taller hedges. Skimmia is valued for its clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers in spring, followed by bright red berries on female plants, adding seasonal interest. The shrub thrives in partial to full shade and tolerates a variety of soils, making it a reliable and attractive choice for discreet privacy where space is limited.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 2/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 1.5m x 1.5m

28: Pieris japonica

Sometimes known as ‘lily-of-the-valley shrub’, this evergreen plant brings privacy and ornamental value to the garden. Its compact, bushy growth creates an effective screen or low hedge, especially suitable for shaded or partially shaded areas. Pieris japonica is renowned for its striking young foliage, which emerges in shades of red or bronze before maturing to green, and its cascading clusters of scented white flowers in spring. The plant prefers acidic soils and benefits from a sheltered position. With its year-round leaves and seasonal colour, Pieris is a striking option for privacy planting. It's harmful to people and pets if eaten.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 2/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 4m x 4m

29: Sarcococca confusa

Also known as sweet box, this shade-loving evergreen shrub is ideal for creating privacy in smaller or shaded gardens. Its dense, glossy foliage forms a compact mound, perfect for low hedges or boundary planting. Sarcococca is particularly valued for its winter flowers, which are small but highly fragrant, providing unexpected scent during the colder months. The shrub thrives in deep shade and tolerates dry soils once established, making it a practical choice for awkward corners or beneath trees. Its evergreen leaves ensure year-round coverage and privacy, even in challenging sites.

Type: Shrub

Privacy rating: 2/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 1.5m x 1.5m

30: Star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides)

Star jasmine is an evergreen climber that excels at providing vertical privacy on fences, trellises or walls. Its glossy, dark green leaves form a dense screen, while in summer, the plant is covered with clusters of star-shaped, fragrant white flowers. Star jasmine is suitable for both sun and partial shade, and it can be trained to cover unsightly boundaries or used to create a living green wall, offering year-round cover. Its manageable growth and ornamental value make it a favourite for screening in smaller spaces.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 5/5

Height x spread: 9m x 3m

31: Ivy (Hedera helix)

Ivy is a classic evergreen climber, renowned for its ability to provide privacy and cover in the garden. Rapid-growing and adaptable, it clings to fences, walls, and trellises, forming a dense, leafy barrier that blocks views and softens hard boundaries. Ivy thrives in deep shade as well as sun, making it ideal for north-facing walls or tricky corners. Its year-round foliage ensures continuous privacy and shelter, while also providing valuable habitat and food for wildlife. Ivy can be clipped to keep it in check, making it a practical and reliable screen. Harmful to pets and people if eaten, and is a skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 5/5

Beauty rating: 3/5

Height x spread: 8m x 4m

32: Clematis

Clematis are versatile climbers that can be used to create seasonal privacy on trellises, fences, or pergolas. Varieties such as Clematis tangutica, Clematis alpina, Clematis viticella and Clematis x durandii offer a range of flower shapes and colours, bringing a long season of interest. While most are deciduous, their vigorous growth and abundant foliage provide excellent summer screening, ideal for seating areas or temporary divides. Clematis can be combined with evergreen climbers for year-round effect, and their ability to grow in sun or partial shade makes them suitable for a range of gardens. Skin irritant: wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling. Harmful to rabbits if eaten.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 5/5

Height x spread: varies

33: Common honeysuckle (Lonicera periclymenum)

Honeysuckle is a vigorous climber, ideal for providing privacy and scent in the garden. It can quickly cover fences, arches, or pergolas with twining stems and lush foliage. In summer, honeysuckle produces clusters of fragrant, tubular flowers, attracting pollinators. Common honeysuckle is deciduous, giving dense summer coverage and some winter structure. Honeysuckle thrives in sun or partial shade and is well-suited for informal screens.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 8m x 4m

34: Passion flower (Passiflora caerulea)

These exotic-looking climbers provide rapid, decorative privacy on trellises, fences or pergolas. Their vigorous growth and dense, lobed leaves create a leafy barrier ideal for screening. In summer, passion flowers produce distinctive, intricate blooms, adding a tropical touch to the garden. Many species are evergreen in mild areas, offering year-round cover, though they may lose leaves in colder climates. Passion flowers are best grown in a sheltered, sunny spot, where they can quickly create a living screen and provide a focal point as well as privacy.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: 10m x 2m

35: Wisteria

Wisteria is a robust deciduous climber, famed for its spectacular cascades of scented flowers in late spring and early summer. Its vigorous, twining stems can rapidly cover pergolas, fences or house walls, creating a dramatic and effective privacy screen. The dense foliage provides summer cover, while the woody framework gives winter structure. Wisteria is best suited to larger gardens or strong supports, as it can become heavy with age. Regular pruning is required to maintain shape and encourage flowering, but the rewards are a striking, long-lived screen with seasonal impact. Wisteria is harmful to pets and humans if eaten.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 4/5

Beauty rating: 5/5

Height x spread: 8m x 4m

36: Chinese Virginia creeper (Parthenocissus henryana)

Chinese Virginia creeper is a fast-growing, self-clinging climber ideal for covering walls, fences, or sheds to provide privacy and soften boundaries. Its attractive, velvety leaves are dark green with silvery veins, turning brilliant shades of red and crimson in autumn. The dense foliage offers effective seasonal screening, while the plant’s rapid growth makes it suitable for quickly disguising unsightly structures. Chinese Virginia creeper thrives in sun or partial shade and is particularly useful for adding colour and privacy to north or east-facing walls. Harmful to pets and people if eaten and is a skin allergen. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 2/5

Height x spread: 12m x 4m

37: Rambling and climbing roses

Rambling and climbing roses are classic choices for privacy, combining dense, often thorny growth with spectacular seasonal displays. They can be trained over fences, arches, or pergolas, where their abundant foliage and long arching stems provide summer screening, and the thorns offer security. Roses bring seasonal colour with fragrant blooms and, in many cases, autumn hips for wildlife. They are well suited to both formal and informal gardens, offering privacy, beauty and habitat all in one package.

Type: Climber

Privacy rating: 3/5

Beauty rating: 4/5

Height x spread: Varies

]]> Gardening is tough on your joints – here are 10 supplements to support mobility and flexibility https://www.gardenersworld.com/promotions/joint-supplements-for-gardening/ Tue, 01 Sep 2026 14:00:45 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/promotions/joint-supplements-for-gardening/ Love gardening but hate the aches after? These are the best joint health supplements that can help you feel more comfortable after long days in the garden. Gardening is one of the best ways to stay active, spend time outdoors and keep your garden looking its best, but it can also take a toll on your body. Hours spent kneeling, digging, lifting compost bags and bending over flower beds can all place extra pressure on joints, especially during busy gardening periods.

If you’ve noticed more stiffness after a day in the garden, adding joint health supplements to your routine may help support mobility, flexibility and everyday comfort. From glucosamine and collagen to omega-3 and turmeric, there are several commonly used ingredients designed to support active lifestyles. 

iHerb stocks a wide range of trusted brands, making it easy to compare ingredients, strengths and formulas all in one place. Whether you’re looking for everyday mobility support or the best joint health supplements for long-term use, there are options to suit every gardening routine. 

Sponsored by iHerb

Save up to 30% on selected joint health supplements at iHerb

Long weekends in the garden can take their toll, leaving joints feeling stiff and tired. The right supplements can help support mobility and everyday comfort, so you can keep planting, pruning and pottering throughout the season.

Use code IHERB30 at checkout to unlock your exclusive reader discount.

Get 30% off selected products at iHerb

Terms and conditions apply. Offer subject to availability and exclusions. See iHerb website for full details.

What supplements are good for joint health?

When people ask what supplements help with joint health, there’s no single answer. The best option depends on your lifestyle, activity levels and the type of support you’re looking for. 

Some of the most popular joint health supplements include: 

• Glucosamine and chondroitin, commonly used to support cartilage and joint function

• MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), often included in mobility-focused formulas

• Omega-3 fatty acids, widely used to support normal heart and joint function

• Collagen supplements, designed to help support connective tissues and flexibility

• Turmeric and boswellia, plant-based ingredients commonly used in joint support blends

• Hyaluronic acid, which is naturally found in connective tissue and joints

Choosing supplements from a trusted retailer such as iHerb makes it easier to compare ingredients and discover the best joint health supplements for your routine. 

These are the best joint health supplements from iHerb

Thorne Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate

Good for: Everyday support for active gardeners 

Long hours spent digging, weeding or carrying heavy pots can put extra strain on joints over time. This straightforward formula combines two of the most used joint-support ingredients into one daily supplement. 

It provides glucosamine and chondroitin sulphate, ingredients commonly used to support cartilage and joint structure. These nutrients are often taken to help maintain flexibility and comfort during regular movement. 

Buy Thorne Glucosamine and Chondroitin Sulphate for £32.97 

21st Century Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex Plus MSM

Good for: Stiffness after long days outdoors 

After hours spent bending over borders or working on an allotment, joints can sometimes feel tired and less flexible. This triple-strength blend combines glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM in one formula. 

The formula combines three ingredients often used together in joint health supplements. MSM is commonly included alongside glucosamine and chondroitin to support mobility and flexibility. 

Buy 21st Century Glucosamine Chondroitin Complex Plus MSM for £14.58 

Life Extension ArthroMax Advanced

Good for: Supporting flexibility and mobility

If repetitive gardening tasks leave joints feeling less flexible, this advanced formula combines collagen and botanical ingredients designed to support comfortable movement. 

It contains NT2 Collagen and ApresFlex alongside other ingredients commonly used in mobility-focused supplements. 

Buy Life Extension ArthroMax Advanced for £20.53 

Swanson Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM

Good for: Heavy garden jobs and regular maintenance 

From moving compost bags to trimming hedges, larger garden jobs can place extra pressure on joints. This high-strength combination is designed for everyday support. 

It combines glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM in one supplement to help cartilage and joint function as part of an active lifestyle. 

Buy Swanson Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM for £11.31 

California Gold Nutrition Sport Joint Health

Good for: Full-spectrum joint support 

If your gardening routine includes everything from digging vegetable patches to mowing lawns, a broader joint-support blend may help support recovery and flexibility. 

This formula combines glucosamine, chondroitin, MSM, turmeric and boswellia, ingredients commonly used to support joint comfort and movement. 

Buy California Gold Nutrition Sport Joint Health for £7.39 

Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM

Good for: Long-term daily use 

Regular gardening can become harder on joints over time, especially during peak growing season. This large-format supplement offers long-lasting daily support. 

It combines glucosamine, chondroitin and MSM to support cartilage, connective tissue and joint mobility. 

Buy Doctor’s Best Glucosamine Chondroitin MSM for £47.57 

California Gold Nutrition Omega-3 Premium Fish Oil

Good for: Supporting joints alongside heart health 

Gardening keeps you moving, but supporting overall wellbeing matters too. Omega-3 fatty acids are commonly used as part of a healthy lifestyle routine. 

It provides omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, nutrients that contribute to normal heart function and are widely used in joint health routines. 

Buy California Gold Nutrition Omega-3 Premium Fish Oil for £11.23 

Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Chocolate

Good for: Recovery after active weekends in the garden 

After a full weekend outdoors, recovery can be just as important as activity itself. This collagen powder offers an easy way to add collagen into your routine. 

It provides collagen peptides in a chocolate-flavoured powder that can be mixed into drinks or smoothies. Collagen is a protein naturally found in connective tissue that can help support with hair, nail, skin, bone, joint, muscle and ligament health.

Buy Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Chocolate for £30.45 

Sports Research Alaskan Omega-3 Fish Oil

Good for: Everyday mobility support 

General stiffness can sometimes become more noticeable after repetitive movements such as pruning or raking. Omega-3 supplements are commonly used as part of mobility-focused routines. 

It delivers omega-3 fatty acids sourced from Alaskan fish oil to support overall wellbeing, joint health, and active lifestyles.

Buy Sports Research Alaskan Omega-3 Fish Oil for £30.88 

California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP

Good for: Supporting connective tissue and flexibility 

If you spend hours crouching, lifting and stretching in the garden, supporting connective tissue can become increasingly important over time. 

This formula combines hydrolysed marine collagen peptides with hyaluronic acid and vitamin C. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of cartilage and connective tissue. 

Buy California Gold Nutrition CollagenUP for £34.16 

References

• What is Collagen? Get to know the body’s most abundant protein

• Joint Health: Best Supplements for Pain Relief, Cartilage Repair, and Inflammation

• Glucosamine: Benefits, Forms, Joint Health, And More

• What Does The Research Say About Omega-3 Fatty Acids and Heart Health?

• Collagen Supplements: Benefits, Types, And Signs Of Deficiency

Health disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting any new supplement routine.

This is a sponsored article in partnership with iHerb. iHerb is ASA regulated.

]]> The best bird feeders for your garden in 2026 https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-feeders/ Mon, 03 Aug 2026 08:19:39 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/product-guides/nature/best-bird-feeders/ From RSPB approved to easy clean, recycled and squirrel proof, here's our pick of best bird feeders for your avian visitors Well-stocked bird feeders help to supplement birds’ food when it's in short supply. Plus, if you're regularly topping up your bird feeder, the same birds will continue to return as they learn your garden is a good source of food.

Specialist bird cakes, seeds and food like mealworms and flaked maize are all good options and supplying a variety of foods is a good way of attracting a wider range of bird species to your garden.

There's a wide range of bird feeders on the market in a host of different styles and designs. Some offer additional features such as squirrel proofing and such as a larger cage around the central feeder to stop squirrels and larger birds reaching the bird food. 

However, following a study in conjunction with the BTO and the Institute of Zoology, the RSPB has confirmed that trichonomosis spreads more easily in summer and autumn, and on flat surfaces, such as bird tables and at bird baths. It has now changed its bird feeding advice as follows:

Feed safely. Feed seasonally. 

Feed seasonally – it’s important to adjust what we feed our garden birds during the summer and autumn months when there’s a higher risk of disease spreading.

• From 1 May to 31 October: pause filling your bird feeders with seed and peanuts to prevent too many birds gathering in one place. It’s okay to keep offering small amounts of mealworms, fat balls, or suet year-round.

Feed safely – just one infected bird can turn your busy feeder into a disease hotspot. To help keep birds healthy, we need to prioritise hygiene.

• Get into the habit of moving and giving your feeders a good clean at least once a week. Follow good hygiene practice while cleaning to protect yourself and the birds. If possible, place your feeders in a different spot after each clean to prevent the build-up of contaminated debris underneath. Any existing debris should be cleared up
• Change water daily: only offer water if you’re able to change it every day and make sure it’s tap water. Water baths should also be cleaned weekly
• Retire flat-surfaced feeders: research has confirmed that there’s a higher risk of the disease spreading on flat surfaces, where contaminated food can collect for other birds to eat. This means bidding a fond farewell to feeders that have any flat surfaces – including bird tables

For other ways to look after the birds in your garden, read our guides to growing your own bird food, or buying bird seed and bird baths. If you'd like to watch birds, check out our guides on wildlife cameras and bird box cameras.

And if you want to encourage more wildlife to visit your garden, take a look at our selection of bat boxes and hedgehog houses, or be inspired by our guide to wildlife gifts.

Jump to:

• How to choose a bird feeder
• Where to put a bird feeder

Browse our pick of bird feeders, below:

The best bird feeders

Peckish 100% recycled woodland feast multi feeder

Available from Amazon

Part of a new collection of wild bird feeders made from 100% recycled materials and sustainably sourced wood, this holds around 500g of seed plus two suet cakes. The slate effect roof and sturdy mesh to hold the suet are made using approximately 125 recycled food and drink cartons. It’s easy to clean and comes in plastic free packaging.

Price: £29.99

Buy Peckish 100% recycled woodland feast multi feeder from Amazon

Eco-Blu bird feeder

Available from Wildlife Community

Crafted from recycled ocean plastic that also protects against harmful bacteria, fungi and microbes, this lantern style feeder has a transparent hopper so you can easily see when it needs refilling. With a simple locking system it's easy to take apart for cleaning and is suitable for sunflower hearts, seeds and kibbled nuts to attract a range of wild birds to your garden.

Price: £17.99

Buy Eco-Blu bird feeder from the Wildlife Community

Finches Friend Cleaner Feeder 1

Available from Finches Friend

Created to help prevent the spread of avian diseases such as Trichomonosis, responsible for the decline in populations of chaffinch and greenfinch, this easy clean feeder is simple to take apart, robust and fully recyclable. It holds 1.79l of food, more than a standard feeder, and it always stays clean and dry.

Price: £44.99

Buy Finches Friend cleaner feeder from Finches Friend

Roamwild Pest Off Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Available from Roamwild

To stop squirrels and large birds eating the food, the hatch automatically moves down blocking it off when they land on the perch. Once they leave, the perch returns to normal. The 1.5 litre feeder from Roamwild also has a built-in rain guard to prevent seeds clogging.

Price: £32.99

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Ch-eco recycled bird feeder

Available from Welland Valley Feeds

Crafted in the UK in six cheerful colours these eco-friendly feeders are made from recycled plastics and upcycled chewing gum. All plastics can be fully recycled and a bag of bird food is included.

Price: £6.95

Buy Ch-eco recycled bird feeder from the Welland Valley Feeds

RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian

Available from RSPB

The guardian on this suet feeder ensures that only small birds get to enjoy up to 10 suet balls. Measuring 30cm tall and 24cm wide, this feeder is small enough to find a place in any garden.

Price: £28

Buy RSPB Suet Feeder and Guardian at RSPB

Cleaner Peanut feeder

Available from Finches Friend

Also from the Finches Friend team comes a peanut feeder, a covered, sealed container to keep the nuts dry that's designed to ensure they're moved to the feeding area rather than staying stuck in the centre of the feeder. The hopper is removable for easy cleaning and it's made from recyclable, UV-stabilised polycarbonate so it won't weaken in the sun. Remember to only use Aflatoxin tested peanuts in your feeder.

Price: £34.95

Buy the Cleaner Peanut feeder from Finches Friend

RSPB Easy-clean Seed Feeder

Available from RSPB

Made from a combination of durable zinc alloy and a polycarbonate tube, the RSPB guarantee it will not crack or discolour in the sun. Available in three sizes, with the largest able to hold 1.5 litres of feed.

Price: £13

Buy RSPB Ultimate Easy-clean Seed Feeder at RSPB

How to choose a bird feeder

Choosing a bird feeder largely depends on two elements; what birds you are looking to attract and the size and layout of your garden. 

There are three main types of garden feeders you can buy. 

• Seed feeders: A hanging seed feeder can attract a range of small birds including sparrows, tits and finches. These can come in a variety of sizes and are typically made of plastic or metal.
• Nut feeders: Known to attract tits and woodpeckers, nut feeders are made from metal mesh. This mesh needs to be a specific size (approximately 6mm) to be safe. If it is too small, it can damage birds’ beaks but it needs to be small enough to stop birds removing large peanut chunks.
• Suet feeders: Popular with tits and starlings, suet feeders are made from wide metal mesh to give the birds purchase while they eat. Available in a range of sizes, the feeders will hold either suet cakes or balls.

If you’re in need of more advice on how or what to feed the birds in your garden, head to the RSPB website or take a look at more of our bird feeding content. 

Where to put a bird feeder

Keeping away predators will be your main consideration when hanging your feeder in the garden. Bird feeders need to be kept out of reach from squirrels and cats for birds to feel safe. 

Aim for a quiet and sheltered area and away from any tree, fence or shrub that could be used as a jumping point for either animal. At eye level, or a little above, is best. 

Grey squirrels are not only known for eating the food, but can also damage feeders by chewing through the plastic. Some feeders now claim to be squirrel proof as they are either covered in a metal casing the animals cannot chew through or surrounded by a large cage, which is placed around the central feeder.

This Product Guide was last updated in August 2026 and we apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best pizza ovens to buy in 2026 – as tested by our experts https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/barbecues/best-pizza-ovens/ Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:56:09 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/barbecues/best-pizza-ovens/ We team up with Good Food Magazine to find the best pizza ovens for your garden

Jump to our 3 top-rated pizza ovens, under £300

Jump to our 4 top-rated pizza ovens, £300+

A restaurant-quality pizza can be hard to replicate in your own kitchen, let alone garden. Authentic pizza usually needs a large, purpose-built, wood-fired oven that’s beyond most budgets, but enter the domestic pizza oven. Thanks to compact portable designs that cook in minutes and are easy to use, outdoor pizza ovens are now readily available, so you can have your own taste of Italy that’s indistinguishable from the real thing. Because they cook at such a high temperature, you can have restaurant-quality pizza in only a minute. Just the thing if you have a few guests over – it’s a brilliant party trick to quickly turn out some of the best pizza this side of Naples in your own back garden.

We tested a range of portable, wood- and gas-fired pizza ovens, teaming up with our colleagues at Good Food to ensure our tests were as accurate, fair and as useful as possible. With their culinary knowledge and our reviewing expertise, we’ve found the best pizza ovens for every garden.

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Our best pizza ovens to buy at a glance

Our 3 top-rated pizza ovens, under £300

• 4.8 stars: Our best pizza oven for camping – Delivita New Diavolo Gas Fired RRP £199
• 4.6 stars: Our best basic pizza oven – ProCook Outdoor Pizza Oven RRP £249
• 4.8 stars: Our best value pizza oven – Dellonda Portable Wood-Fired 14-inch pizza oven RRP £280

Also recommended, under £300

• 4.5 stars: Our best budget gas pizza oven – Cozze 13-inch gas pizza oven RRP £199
• 4.5 stars: Our best portable pizza oven – Ooni Karu 12 multi-fuel pizza oven RRP £299
• 4.5 stars: Our best pizza oven for couples – Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven RRP £299

Our 4 top-rated pizza ovens, £300+

• 5 stars: Our best pizza oven for small spaces – Gozney Arc Lite RRP £349.99
• 4.8 stars: Our best portable pizza oven – Gozney Tread RRP £499.99
• 4.9 stars: Our best multi-fuel pizza oven – Ooni Karu 2 Pro RRP £699
• 4.6 stars: Our best large pizza oven – Ooni Koda 2 Max RRP £899

Also recommended, £300+

• 4.5 stars: Our best pizza oven for versatility – Solo Stove Pi Prime Pizza oven RRP £319.99
• 4.3 stars: Our best pizza oven for beginners –  Gozney Roccbox pizza oven RRP £399.99
• 4.5 stars: Our best gas pizza oven – Morso Forno Spin pizza oven RRP £465
• 4.5 stars: Our best pizza oven for big families – Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven RRP £499

Comparison table: best pizza ovens

Our expertise

Getting the right pizza oven for your garden means assessing the correct size for your needs, your preferred fuel and the budget you can afford. Together with Good Food Magazine we tested a range of wood, gas and charcoal fuelled pizza ovens, setting them up and using them just as you would in your garden, cooking a range of different pizzas. Each oven has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to assembly and storage, ease of use, cooking results and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on pizza ovens that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to the best pizza ovens:

• Our 3 top-rated pizza ovens, under £300
• Also recommended: pizza ovens, under £300
• Our 4 top-rated pizza ovens, £300+
• Also recommended: pizza ovens, £300+

Jump to pizza oven advice:

• How does a pizza oven work?
• What's in the box?
• What can you cook in a pizza oven?
• How much is a pizza oven?
• How should I choose a pizza oven?
• How we tested pizza ovens
• Meet our testing panel

Our 3 top-rated pizza ovens, under £300

1: Delivita New Diavolo Gas Fired

Our best pizza oven for camping

RRP: £199

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: John Lewis & Partners (£179.10) and Amazon (£199)

Reasons to buy:

• No assembly needed
• Fully portable
• A range of accessories included
• Gas canister included

Reasons to avoid:

• Not enough details on cooking pizza for a beginner

The Delivita Diavolo offers a more portable take on the traditional pizza oven, designed with travel and smaller spaces in mind. It’s sturdy and well-made, but lightweight enough to pop it in the included carry bag and take it with you to whichever beach, campsite, or garden you like. It’s ready to use straight out of the box, just unfold the legs, connect the gas and you’re good to go. It comes with two gas regulators (one for a gas bottle and one for the included gas canister), plus a foldable peel, and a thermometer gun. There’s a single dial to control the temperature, the oven heats up quickly, and adjusting it is easy. In testing, it produced great pizzas with crisp bases and bubbling cheese, while also handling flatbreads and a vegetable ragu well.

There are a couple of drawbacks: the lack of flame guard means food around the edges can catch more easily, and the instructions could be clearer, particularly for beginners. But at only £199 with this level of kit and portability, it’s a compelling package overall. Elaine Lemm

• Buy the Delivita New Diavolo Gas Fired from John Lewis & Partners (£179.10) and Amazon (£199)

2: ProCook Outdoor Pizza Oven

Our best basic pizza oven

RRP: £249

Our rating: 4.6/5

Available from: ProCook (£249)

Reasons to buy:

• Very easy to assemble and use
• Excellent value
• Solid build quality

Reasons to avoid:

• No storage cover included
• No cleaning tools provided

The ProCook Outdoor Pizza Oven is a straightforward, gas-powered option that does the basics well and offers good value for money. Assembly is simple, requiring little more than attaching the gas hose, and the instructions are clear, although they don’t specify a preheat time. We found that around 30 minutes worked well, bringing the stone to roughly 300°C. There’s no built-in thermometer, so you’ll need a temperature gun if you want to be precise.

The oven feels solid and well-made, with a stable base and a premium finish that belies its lower price point. In use, the manual 360°C turning dial is a real asset, allowing you to rotate the pizza stone easily and achieve a more even bake, as the front of the oven runs cooler than the back. There’s no pizza peel or storage cover included, but with a two-year warranty and a price of £249, this is a well-built, entry-level gas pizza oven for anyone wanting simplicity over bells and whistles. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best basic pizza oven in 2025.

• Buy the ProCook Outdoor Pizza Oven from ProCook (£249)

3: Dellonda Portable Wood-Fired 14-inch Pizza Oven

Our best value pizza oven

RRP: £280

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£179.98), B&Q (£179.98) and Robert Dyas (£177.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Fantastic value
• Long, safe handles
• Delicious pizza
• High-quality parts

Reasons to avoid:

• Hot exterior
• Needs lots of fuel
• Short warranty

The Dellonda Portable Wood-Fired 14-inch Pizza Oven is a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best value pizza oven, thanks to its low RRP and included pizza peel. This compact, stylish tabletop pizza oven is fuelled by charcoal or sustainable hardwood pellets, and despite its remarkably low price, it feels high-quality. The pizza peel accommodates a 12-inch pizza, and all the oven's handles are long and wooden to keep your hands well away from the hot metal. Though it's a large pizza oven, the legs flip down, and you could easily store the chimney inside. You can also buy this model with a storage case to keep it rust-free and take it on the go. It made delicious pizza with a well-browned underside and golden, bubbled cheese. Crucially, it also created very little smoke, so this is a good oven to use if you live on a terrace and don't want to annoy your neighbours.

Though it's easy and safe to add fuel, thanks to the long handles, we found that the exterior of this pizza oven gets very hot. It took half an hour to cool down, and though the heat distribution is quite good, it's noticeably hotter on one side. We also discovered that this oven isn’t as efficient as others on test, as you need to keep it topped up with pellets throughout the entire cooking process. It also has a short warranty of only a year.

• Buy the Dellonda Portable Wood-Fired 14-inch Pizza Oven from Amazon (£179.98), B&Q (£179.98) and Robert Dyas (£177.99)

Latest Deals

Also recommended, under £300

Cozze 13-inch gas pizza oven

Our best value gas-fuelled oven

RRP: £199

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: BBQ World (£199) and Amazon (£158.39)

Reasons to buy:

• Simple to use
• Excellent pizza
• Heats up and cools down fast

Reasons to avoid:

• Tricky to turn and see the pizza
• Accessories not included

Ready to go straight from the box, this excellent value, gas-fuelled oven just needs the cannister attaching, a battery slipped in, and it takes 25 minutes to heat up. It has a modern look and is compact and stout, so it's ideal if you lack space, although it doesn't fold down, so for storage, what you see is what you get. It also doesn't come with any accessories, but Cozze sell everything you need from a case and peel to a bamboo pizza board. It's very easy to light, just connect it up to propane gas and click the ignition button as you turn the dial, just as you would a gas hob. Pizzas are delicious, with a crisp base and mottled top and cook in a couple of minutes.

It is easy to use, but the entrance is very slim, too narrow for anything but pizzas, and if you're not used to cooking pizzas, you might find this tricky at first. To turn your pizza, you need to take it out of the oven completely, rather than turning it within, as you can with most others. With a bit of practice, however, you'll have delicious, evenly cooked pizza every time. We gave it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best value gas-fuelled oven.

• Buy the Cozze 13-inch gas pizza oven from BBQ World (£199) and Amazon (£158.39)

Latest Deals

Ooni Karu 12 multi-fuel pizza oven

Our best portable oven

RRP: £349.00

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Ooni (£349), John Lewis (£349) and Lakeland (349.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Fully recyclable packaging
• Easy to set up and use
• Compact and portable
• Cooks quickly and well

Reasons to avoid:

• Takes time to heat and needs regular refuelling
• Uses specific types of wood and charcoal
• No accessories included

This latest version of the Karu 12 pizza oven from Ooni boasts a new, ‘clear view’ glass door, a larger fuel basket and better fuel efficiency – the 12 requires only 1.1kg of fuel to cook 10 pizzas, while the original Karu 12 needs 1.5kg to cook the same number. It’s also easy to set up, with very little assembly needed and clear instructions and diagrams to follow. It’s compact and reasonably light, weighing only 12kg, and once built, it just needs the legs folding and the chimney storing inside the body of the oven, and it’s packed neatly away. For fuel, you have the choice of wood sticks or lumpwood charcoal for that flame-cooked taste, or gas, although this is possible only if you buy the Ooni gas burner for an additional cost. We tested it with both wood and charcoal, and it’s easy to both load with fuel and light, although it does take a good half an hour to reach a temperature high enough for cooking.

It has a large opening that’s easily big enough to allow you to see what’s going on and to reach in and turn a 12-inch pizza, but it’s also roomy enough for a roasting tin full of veg or a spatchcock chicken. There’s a temperature gauge on the side, so you can keep an eye on the heat, plus a handy baffle in the chimney helps you control the draw of air through the oven for faster or slower cooking. The oven is fully insulated, so the exterior stays just warm throughout cooking, and all the handles are cool to the touch, so it’s easy to use even at 500 degrees. A stay-clear glass door keeps the heat in and allows you to see exactly when your dough is ready, and in our test, this took just 90 seconds with near-perfect results. Our pizza had a crisp base, bubbling centre and leopard spotting to the crust.

This is an impressive oven for its size and versatility, and is ideal for packing up and taking camping or down to the beach, and we awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best portable oven. Note, though, that its price is bumped up by the fact that you have to buy every single accessory or extra separately, including a pizza peel, a necessity to ensure safe and simple cooking of your pizza, and the handy carry bag, which is a must to make this compact oven truly portable.

• Buy the Ooni Karu 12 pizza oven from Ooni (£349), John Lewis (£349) and Lakeland (349.99)

Latest Deals

Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven

Our best pizza oven for couples

RRP: £299

Our rating: 4.5 /5

Available from: Ooni (£299), John Lewis (£299) and Lakeland (£299.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Lightweight
• Portable
• Collapsible legs
• Good price

Reasons to avoid:

• Tricky to turn pizza
• Need to pay extra for essential tools

If the 16-inch pizza capacity offered by the Koda 16 is overkill, check out its smaller, less expensive sibling. A BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best pizza oven for couples, we found that the gas-powered Koda 12 has the same advantages as the 16, but in a more compact appliance. It’s easy to set up and use, just flip out the legs and attach the pizza stone and gas canister. The heat control dial means it’s easy to control, and the flame burner that runs along the back of the oven makes for delicious, flame-cooked, picture-perfect pizzas. For £200 less than the 16, it’s worth considering if you aren’t feeding a crowd. However, the caveats of the Koda 16 apply here, too. There’s no thermometer on this oven, and you’ll have to shell out extra for the essential pizza peel. We also found that because it’s smaller than the Koda 16, it’s a little harder to put your pizza in and turn it so that it cooks evenly.

• Buy from Ooni Koda 12 pizza oven Ooni (£299), John Lewis (£299) and Lakeland (£299.99)

Latest Deals

Our 4 top-rated pizza ovens, £300+

1: Gozney Arc Lite

Our best pizza oven for small spaces

RRP: £349.99

Our rating: 5/5

Available from: Gozney (£349.99) and Lakeland (£349.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Ready to use practically straight from the box
• Stylish good looks
• Heats rapidly to 500oC
• Compact for smaller spaces
• Easy to carry at only 12kg

Reasons to avoid:

• Doesn’t come with any accessories
• Only cooks one pizza at a time

The Gozney Arc Lite is the smallest oven in the brand’s range, weighing just over 12kg and taking up little more space than a typical air fryer. Despite its compact size, it feels solid, well-made and it’s tastefully understated with just a simple operating button; it would make an attractive addition to any outdoor setup. Its size makes it particularly well suited to balconies, patios and smaller gardens, and the light build means it’s easy to move and store.

It arrives fully assembled out of the box; you just have to slot in the pizza stone and connect to a propane gas supply, and you can get cooking. During testing, it was ready to light within five minutes and had reached up to 500oC by around 20 minutes. While it’s limited to cooking only one 12-inch pizza at a time, it’s not really an issue when pizzas can be turned around in as little as 60 seconds. Beyond pizza, it’s versatile enough to cook dishes such as steak, potatoes, and roasting dishes for fish and vegetables. Overall, it’s a compact, well-designed oven that delivers very strong performance. Elaine Lemm

• Buy the Gozney Arc Lite from Gozney (£349.99) and Lakeland (£349.99)

2: Gozney Tread Pizza Oven

Our best portable pizza oven

RRP: £499.99

Our rating: 4.8/5

Available from: Amazon (£499), Gozney (£499.99) and John Lewis (£499.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Easy to set up
• Relatively lightweight
• Looks good
• Cooks well and cools quickly

Reasons to avoid:

• Expensive - all accessories extra

At 13.5kg, the Tread is lightweight enough to pick up and move around. It’s simple to set up and use, with clear instructions, and a helpful recipe booklet is also included. The temperature dial on the side is intuitive to operate and reaches 500 °C, and although on first use the pizza stone needs curing for 30 minutes, after that it takes just 25 minutes to reach temperature. Once there, a delicious, mottled pizza is ready to eat in just 90 seconds. The oven holds a 12-inch pizza, but there’s also room for a spatchcock chicken or a small roasting tray, which increases the range of food you can cook.

We love the rugged design of this oven, with its sturdy roof-rack style handles, and it feels durable and built to last, just what you need if you're taking it out and about. It's also a good size for storage and easy to put away on a shelf or in the corner of the shed. The oven itself is good value, it’s just a shame that every accessory is an extra cost, as some, like the telescopic Venture stand and the travel bag, are very handy. There’s also a mantel that attaches to the front of the oven to extend the working area and help with adding or removing food and turning the pizza, and a roof rack that provides an extra work surface, chopping board and serving area. A peel is also available. It also comes with a one-year warranty that’s extendable to five years when registered. This pizza oven is portable enough to take out and about for picnics and is also ideal for a small courtyard, balcony or garden.

• Buy Gozney Tread pizza oven from Amazon (£499), Gozney (£499.99) and John Lewis (£499.99)

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3: Ooni Karu 2 Pro

Our best multi-fuel pizza oven

RRP: £699

Our rating: 4.9/5

Available from: Ooni (£699), Amazon (£699), and Lakeland (£699.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Flexible fuel options
• Quick cooking time
• Large capacity with fold-in legs
• Includes temperature probe for cooking meats
• Five-year warranty when you register with Ooni

Reasons to avoid:

• Some non-recyclable packaging
• Essential extras need to be bought separately

The Karu 2 Pro sits at the premium end of Ooni’s range and includes several upgrades over its predecessor, the Karu 16. Most notably, a larger glass door to keep an eye on your pizza as it cooks, a food probe for roasting meats and remote temperature monitoring when you pair it with the Ooni app. Like the Karu 16, it can be operated using wood, charcoal, or gas (though the gas burner does need to be bought separately), which offers impressive versatility and the potential to comfortably cook more than just pizza.

As with other Ooni models, its assembly and use is straightforward. The wide opening and increased height make launching and rotating pizzas easy, particularly for beginners, while also allowing space for larger dishes such as joints of meat or roasting trays. Necessary extras like a pizza peel aren’t included in the price, but Ooni does offer an essential and ultimate bundle with additional accessories like a pizza peel and all-weather cover. Natalie Bass

• Buy the Ooni Karu 2 Pro from Ooni (£699), Amazon (£699), and Lakeland (£699.99)

4: Ooni Koda 2 Max

Our best large pizza oven

RRP: £899

Our rating: 4.6/5

Available from: Ooni (£899) and John Lewis & Partners (£899)

Reasons to buy:

• 24-inch cooking area
• Clear digital temperature display
• Fully recyclable packaging
• Quick to set up & use

Reasons to avoid:

• Legs don’t fold in for storage

The Koda 2 Max, Ooni’s largest and most expensive pizza oven in the range, is built for pizza enthusiasts who love to entertain. Its supersized 24-inch cooking area is one of the largest we’ve seen and it can cook up to three 10-inch pizzas at a time – or one 20-inch pizza if you’re up for the challenge.  As expected, it’s a substantial piece of kit. Assembly is fairly straightforward, taking only around 10 minutes, though you’ll need two people because of its size.

The digital display is user-friendly and clear to read, and there are two separate dials to control the left and right cooking zones, allowing you to cook foods that require different cooking temperatures simultaneously. In testing, we were able to sear a steak in a cast-iron pan on one side while cooking a pizza on the other, both with very strong results. It’s a little cumbersome when it comes to storing as the legs don’t fold inward, but this is a small trade-off for an oven with such impressive capacity and crowd-pleasing capability. Natalie Bass

• Buy the Koda 2 Max from Ooni (£899) and John Lewis & Partners (£899)

Also recommended, £300+

Solo Stove Pi Prime pizza oven

Our best pizza oven for versatility

RRP: £319.99

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: John Lewis (£399.99) and Solo Stove (319.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Comes with lots of accessories
• Excellent mottled crust
• Lifetime warranty on manufacturer defects
• Wide opening for sliding in pizzas

Reasons to avoid:

• Gas hose and regulator came unattached
• Non-recyclable packaging

This neat pizza oven comes essentially preassembled; all you need to add is the pizza stone, and you’re ready to cook. However, unlike most of the ovens we’ve tested, the regulator needs attaching, which is quite fiddly and can take time, unfortunately. Other than that, it’s easy to use, with intuitive controls, and for the first use, it takes 45 minutes to get this oven ready for cooking. It fits a 13-inch pizza inside and has a generous opening, which makes launching the pizzas onto the stone simple and also means you could roast a chicken inside with ease. It takes just a minute and a half to cook a pizza, and ours were evenly cooked with a crisp crust and good mottling.

In use, the oven gets hot only around the front and top, as you would expect, but the sides are all right to touch, and the plastic base is completely cool and safe to touch. It takes approximately an hour to cool down, and although this oven is quite chunky with no folding parts, it’s ideal for a small garden and a neat, if quite big, shape for storage. It also comes with a protective cover, a heatproof mat and a paddle as standard and has a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defects. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for versatility.

• Buy the Solo Stove Pi Prime pizza oven from John Lewis (£399.99) and Solo Stove (319.99)

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Roccbox pizza oven

Our best pizza oven for beginners

RRP: £399.99

Our rating: 4.3/5

Available from: Amazon (£319), Gozney (319.99) and John Lewis (399.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Easy set-up
• Excellent pizza
• Five-year warranty
• Safe - cool to the touch
• High-quality materials

Reasons to avoid:

• Small oven space
• Weight

If you’re new to homemade pizza, this BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for beginners is ready to go straight from the box. It’s utterly foolproof, hitting temperature in 20 minutes and has an inbuilt thermometer so you always know if you’re at the right temperature. Anyone can achieve a truly restaurant-quality pizza. The matte silicon shell means the exterior is a lot cooler than other ovens here, so it’s safer too. If you want a wood-fired pizza, you can also buy this pizza oven as a dual-fuel version, giving you the option of cooking with either gas or wood fuel. We love the remarkably high-quality materials of this oven, and the generous five-year warranty, plus it comes with a pizza peel included.

However, bear in mind that this is a pretty hefty oven. Weighing in at 20kg, it’s not particularly portable, though Gozney claims it is. Price-wise, it sits towards the more expensive end of the market for tabletop ovens, and it has quite a small oven space for its size. Although it has a larger footprint than the Koda 12, it only cooks pizzas up to 12 inches.

• Buy Gozney Roccbox pizza oven from Amazon (£319), Gozney (319.99) and John Lewis (399.99)

Latest Deals

Morsø Forno Spin pizza oven

Our best gas pizza oven

RRP: £489

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Amazon (£465), B&Q (£549) and Direct Stoves (£465)

Reasons to buy:

• Quick to assemble
• Compact design
• Rotating pizza stone
• Excellent pizza results

Reasons to avoid:

• Some unnecessary plastic packaging
• Accessories need to be bought separately

This futuristic-looking pizza oven from Danish brand Morsø is a solid choice for those seeking a fuss-free pizza-making experience, as with the innovative rotating pizza stone, there's no need to manually turn the dough as it cooks. At 17kg, the oven itself is robust and feels built to last, and while its wide, egg-like shape means it’s perhaps not the easiest to store, it’s still relatively compact and ideal for a small-to-medium-sized garden. Minimal assembly is required: simply insert the stone into the oven’s wide opening, attach the gas, and ignite using the dial on the front; however, the rotating mechanism does require plugging into the mains, so you will need an outdoor power source with this pizza oven.

The instruction manual advises preheating for 15-25 minutes prior to cooking, but we found it hit temperature surprisingly quickly, reaching 400°C in just under 10 minutes. Our 12-inch pizza was bubbling within two-and-a-half minutes, and had a crisp base, evenly browned toppings, and oozing cheese. The lack of accessories is inconvenient, especially as it bumps up the overall price – though items like a pizza peel and a protective cover can be bought via the Morsø website. On the plus side, it does come with a five-year warranty (with two years for discolouration), and the very fact that it’s so enjoyable to use makes it feel like a worthy investment for pizza lovers. We awarded it a BBC Gardeners' World Magazine Best Buy for the best gas pizza oven.

• Buy from Amazon (£465), B&Q (£549) and Direct Stoves (£465)

Latest Deals

Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven

Our best pizza oven for big families

RRP: £499

Our rating: 4.5/5

Available from: Ooni (£499), John Lewis (£499) and Lakeland (£499)

Reasons to buy:

• Quick to assemble
• Huge capacity
• Perfect pizzas
• High-quality materials

Reasons to avoid:

• Need to pay extra for essential tools

Ooni is the most famous brand in the pizza oven industry, and the Koda 16 wins the BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy for the best pizza oven for big families. This gas-powered pizza oven has an enormous capacity, which means you can cook a whopping dustbin lid pizza of up to 16 inches. Despite this size, we cooked a simple margherita in just 60 seconds. This is thanks to the unique L-shaped flame, which covers the whole pizza and makes for the best pizza on test - a perfect pizza with charred bubbles in the crust and wonderfully golden mozzarella. It's incredibly easy to use and is ready to light in just five minutes out of the box. Once you attach the oven to your gas source, it's as quick and easy to use as switching on a hob, and you can precisely control the temperature, which can reach a blistering 500°C after 20 minutes. If you register your oven with Ooni, you can get a three-year warranty, too.

However, we have two quibbles with the design. The first is that this pizza oven has a relatively shallow opening, which is fine for pizza, but you could struggle with other dishes. The second is that there's no thermometer on the pizza oven itself. Also, bear in mind that not only is this oven expensive, but you will need to pay extra for any accessories such as a pizza peel, thermometer and cover.

• Buy the Ooni Koda 16 pizza oven from Ooni (£499), John Lewis (£499) and Lakeland (£499)

Latest Deals

The best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have great features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Ninja Artisan Electric Outdoor Pizza Oven & Air Fryer

RRP: £299.99

Our rating: 4.4/5

Available from: Ninja (£299.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Very easy to set up
• Extremely versatile

Reasons to avoid:

• Design won’t suit everyone
• Not for traditional pizza cooking
• Cover not included (but can be bought)

If convenience and versatility matter more to you than pizza purism, the Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven and Air Fryer is a strong contender. Setup is simple: slot in the 12-inch pizza stone, plug the oven in at the mains, and wait around 20 minutes for it to preheat; it beeps when it’s ready, which is a nice touch. The range of pre-set cooking modes can feel slightly overwhelming at first, but the five dedicated pizza settings – including Artisan, Thin Crust and New York – are genuinely useful.

Pizzas cooked in around two minutes, with puffy, evenly baked bases and even a touch of charring. Beyond pizza, this oven’s real strength is flexibility: accessories for air frying and baking mean it can handle fish, gratins and even a small roast chicken with ease. Solidly built and relatively compact, the Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven and Air Fryer is a practical, low-fuss outdoor oven that’s ideal for those who value versatility and reliability over traditional pizza-making theatrics.

• Buy the Ninja Artisan Outdoor Pizza Oven and Air Fryer from Ninja (£299.99)

Ooni Koda 2

RRP: £399

Our rating: 4.4/5

Available from: Lakeland (£399) and Ooni (£399)

Reasons to buy:

• Simple gas setup
• Good pizza performance
• Solid build quality

Reasons to avoid:

• Limited versatility
• No cleaning tools included

The Ooni Koda 2 is a compact, gas-powered pizza oven that combines strong performance with an eye-catching, slate-blue design. Weighing just 16kg, it’s easy to move and store, which is extremely important for a product that will be endlessly picked up, taken in and out of sheds and garages, and moved around to different spots in the garden. It takes around 30 minutes to heat up and cooks pizzas in roughly 90 seconds, with a 14-inch stone offering plenty of room for large or lop-sided, messy pizza creations.

One drawback that comes with this excellent price point for a high-quality product is the lack of a built-in temperature gauge, but it’s easy enough to get by with a separate temperature gun instead. That said, this is a powerful, well-built piece of kit, and is ideal for anyone wanting a portable, dedicated gas pizza oven without moving up to a larger, more expensive model.

• Buy the Ooni Koda 2 from Lakeland (£399) and Ooni (£399)

Ooni Koda 2 Pro 2nd Generation

RRP: £599

Our rating: 4.2/5

Available from: John Lewis (£599), Lakeland (£599) and Ooni (£599)

Reasons to buy:

• Large cooking area
• Suitable for bigger trays and dishes

Reasons to avoid:

• Difficult to move and store
• No cover included
• No cleaning tools

The Ooni Koda 2 Pro is a powerful, larger-than-average gas pizza oven with a generous 18-inch cooking space. The oven can comfortably handle bigger items, including large roasting trays, giving it more flexibility than smaller pizza-only models. That extra capacity does come with trade-offs, though. It’s very heavy and isn’t designed to be left outdoors year-round, with no cover included. It also doesn’t function as a barbecue or smoker, and no cleaning tools are supplied.

If you have the outdoor space to store it properly and want a high-capacity gas pizza oven, perhaps with an eye on having a few impromptu pizza parties over the course of a summer, it’s a strong option — but it is less suited to those with limited space or portability in mind.

• Buy the Ooni Koda 2 Pro from John Lewis (£599), Lakeland (£599) and Ooni (£599)

Igneus Classico pizza oven

RRP: £999

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: Igneus (£999) and The Pizza Oven Shop (£999)

Reasons to buy:

• Large cooking area
• Cooks two pizzas at once
• Thermometer included
• High-quality materials

Reasons to avoid:

• Price
• Warranty
• Essentials not included

With a whopping 24 x 24-inch internal area, this beast will tackle two 12-inch pizzas at once. The BBC Good Food team reckon that you could even cook an entire roast in the Igneus Classico, so if you’re getting the whole clan together for a family reunion, this is the oven for you. It’s high-quality and has an inbuilt thermometer marked with the perfect temperature range of 350°C to 410°C, so you’ll always know if you’re at the right temperature for your pizza. It made beautiful pizzas, and it’s easy to insert, turn, and remove them thanks to the roomy capacity.

However, this is a very big appliance. With all four of the pizza stones loaded it comes in at a weighty 45kg. It’s also one of the most expensive pizza ovens we tested, and the most expensive in this article. Despite this high price, it only has a one-year warranty and, like the Ooni products featured in this article, it doesn’t come with essential accessories like a pizza peel.

• Buy Igneus Classico pizza oven from Igneus (£999) and The Pizza Oven Shop (£999)

Latest Deals

Fresh Grills Premium pizza oven

RRP: £279.99

Our rating: 4/5

Available from: The Range (£279.99), B&Q (£279.99) and Robert Dyas (£353.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Good for storage
• Long handles
• Includes peel and case

Reasons to avoid:

• Needs lots of fuel
• Logo cut-out lets out some of the heat
• Slow to heat
• Poorly designed door

The Fresh Grills Premium Pizza Oven is just right for new pizzaiolos to entertain. Though it has a big footprint, this oven is excellent for storage. The legs are foldable, and the chimney is removable for easy storage in winter. It sits high off the table, which is a good safety feature to avoid injuries. The handles are long to keep you safe from hot metal, and it also comes with a convenient carry case and pizza peel. We loved that it produces very little smoke, and it made some of the tastiest pizzas on test. It has a two-year warranty.

However, we found that there were a few drawbacks in the design. We found a lip in the door where you could easily snag your wrist, and the screws to attach the handle and thermometer stick through the back of the door, so you could catch yourself on those, too. The logo on the door is cut out, rather than printed. While it looks fantastic to see the flames flickering through the logo, it lets a lot of heat out – this grill took 45 minutes to get to temperature and needed a lot of fuel. This cut-out logo is also on the pizza peel, and we found that delicate dough could snag on this, too.

• Buy Fresh Grills Premium pizza oven from The Range (£279.99), B&Q (£279.99) and Robert Dyas (£353.99)

Latest Deals

More pizza oven ideas

For more help, our friends at Olive Magazine have looked at pizza oven favourites Gozney vs. Ooni to help you see which brand might be best for you and your space. To help create the right atmosphere in the garden, see our review of the best solar lights and our guides to the best firepits, parasols and the best garden furniture sets.

How does a pizza oven work?

A domestic pizza oven is a small oven that sits on a stand or a garden table and cooks traditional pizza. There are three main fuels for a pizza oven.

The first is wood, usually wood pellets, which give an authentic flame-cooked taste. Make sure your wood is food-grade, so you don’t cook with toxic fuels, and keep an eye out for FSC-sourced wood pellets, which are more sustainable than other wood fuel. If your oven runs on wood pellets, you can also use charcoal - unlike the larger briquettes you use to light a charcoal barbecue, these are small chips of lumpwood.

Propane gas is another source, and the same gas you would use to fuel a gas barbecue. Available in canisters, it's attached to the oven by a regulator. Wood and gas take about the same time to heat up - the shape of the pizza oven makes the difference here. Wood pellets do give a smokier taste, however.

Finally, you can also buy barbecue-top pizza ovens that use the heat of a charcoal or gas barbecue to cook your pizza.

What’s in the box?

The most basic pizza ovens will come in two parts - the main body of the oven, and the pizza stone, which is what your pizza cooks on. A good pizza oven should come with a few extras included. The most important of these is a pizza peel, which is the little metal paddle you use to insert your pizza into the oven. A good extra feature is a cover or carry case, to keep your oven dry and make it easier to move around, and if you have a gas oven, make sure it comes with a regulator, which you’ll need to attach your oven to your gas. They're often ready to use straight out of the box, but some models need more assembly than others.

There are three main types of pizza oven:

Portable pizza ovens

The classic domestic pizza oven. They’re small enough to sit on a garden table while you cook and to store in a shed, and should be light enough to move around the garden easily, as and when you need them. You might have heard of Ooni or Gozney, which make a wide range of ovens with a variety of features, but they're also increasingly available from DIY stores, supermarkets and online brands.

Barbecue-top pizza ovens

As basic as it gets. These handy stones or boxes sit on top of a grill and use the heat from your gas or charcoal barbecue to cook, so you can turn out a pizza alongside burgers and sausages. However, because they mostly cook from the bottom up, they’re not as fast as other pizza ovens and can be trickier to master. They usually don't cook as well as classic portable or freestanding ovens, so we’ve stuck to portable pizza ovens in this article, but check out BBC Good Food’s review of the La Hacienda BBQ pizza oven for more information.

Freestanding pizza ovens

These permanent ovens are big and expensive. Think of the oven at the back of a pizzeria - a large oven designed to cook lots of pizza very quickly. They look impressive as a focal point on a patio or as part of an outdoor kitchen, but they can cost you thousands of pounds.

What can you cook in a pizza oven?

You aren’t limited to pizza. The high temperatures in a pizza oven are just the thing for quick homemade flatbreads like roti, naan, pitta and tortilla. You can also quickly cook nachos, jacket potatoes, melanzane, sea bass, and baked camembert. Nor are you limited to savoury foods – you can also have a go at cinnamon rolls or tarte tatin.

How much is a pizza oven?

Prices vary depending on the type of pizza oven. For the average-sized portable pizza oven, set aside £300-600. Barbecue-top pizza ovens will set you back £40-£100, and you’ll have to fork out £1,000-£2,000 for top-line freestanding pizza ovens.

How should I choose a pizza oven?

Bear in mind space, oven capacity, and cost. When it comes to oven capacity, couples probably won’t need a big 16-inch pizza oven, but if you’re frequently cooking for a bigger family, a 12-inch oven might not cut it. If you love a true, flame-grilled taste, opt for a wood-fired oven, but if you have a garden in a terrace or semi-detached house, be mindful that the smoke might be an issue. Consider all of these, as well as your budget, and you’ll find the right oven for your space.

How we tested pizza ovens

We tested a range of portable pizza ovens, fuelled by gas and wood. Using BBC Good Food’s basic pizza dough recipe on test and the manufacturer’s instructions, we built and used each oven exactly as you would in your garden. We also tested with different pizza recipes where oven capacity allowed for this. The ovens were assessed according to the following criteria, with equal marks attributed to each:

• Assembly and storage: Looked at the ease of assembly, clarity of instructions, and how long it took to build the oven. We also noted any storage features and how easy it was to pack up and put away
• Ease of use: Pizzas require incredibly high temperatures to cook, so we looked for excellent insulation and safety features to make the pizza oven easy to use. We assessed how quickly we could get cooking, how easy it was to add and control fuel and how quickly the oven cooled down. We also looked at the portability of the ovens
• Cooking results: Assessed the look, texture, and taste of the pizzas
• Value for money: Considered all of the above, including quality, design, any special features, plus RRP and warranty

For more information on our testing process, see How we Review

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in February 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

]]> The best charcoal BBQs in 2026 https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/barbecues/best-charcoal-barbecues/ Sat, 18 Jul 2026 19:56:07 GMT https://www.gardenersworld.com/reviews/barbecues/best-charcoal-barbecues/ We teamed up with Good Food magazine to find you some of the best charcoal BBQs

Jump to best charcoal barbecues, under £200

Jump to best charcoal barbecues, £200-500

Jump to best charcoal barbecues, £500+

It’s a classic British summertime scene: the sun's just peeked out from behind the clouds, the temperature's barely in double digits, but all along the street there’s the delicious smell of smoky, charcoal cooked food.

And why not cook over charcoal this summer? Though gas barbecues are quick, clean and easy to control, they're also comparatively expensive and require unwieldy tanks of propane. The best charcoal barbecues cook just as well as gas, giving food a woody, smoky flavour that simply can’t be matched.

We teamed up with our colleagues at Good Food Magazine to put a range of charcoal barbecues through their paces. With their exceptional gastronomic knowledge and our expertise in all things gardening, we’ve selected the best charcoal barbecues that will cater for a wide range of gardens.

View Affiliate Playlist on the source website

Best charcoal barbecues to buy at a glance

Our 3 top-rated charcoal barbecues, under £200

• 4.5 stars: Our best portable charcoal barbecue 2025 – Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable RRP £84.99
• 4.3 stars: Our best barrel charcoal barbecue – Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal BBQ RRP £79.99
• 4.5 stars: Our best portable charcoal barbecue – Lotus Grill G340 RRP £175

Our 5 top-rated charcoal barbecues, £200-500

• 4.3 stars: Our best charcoal barbecue with user-friendly features – Napoleon 22" Charcoal Kettle Grill Barbecue RRP £229.99
• 4.3 stars: Our best budget kettle charcoal barbecue – Weber Classic Kettle E5710 RRP £239
• 4.3 stars: Our best family charcoal barbecue – Char-Broil Kettleman RRP £259.99
• 4.5 stars: Our best kettle charcoal barbecue – Weber Master-Touch GBS E-5755 RRP £335
• 4.5 stars: Our best charcoal barbecue for Japanese-style barbecuing – Kasai Konro Grill RRP £399

Our 2 top-rated charcoal barbecues, £500+

• 4.8 stars: Our best charcoal smoker barbecue – Big Green Egg RRP £1,495
• 4.8 stars: Our best premium charcoal barbecue – Kamado Joe Series III RRP £2,899

Comparison table: Best charcoal BBQs

Our expertise

To help you find the right charcoal barbecue for your garden, we tested a range of new and consistently popular models cooking a range of food on each. Every barbecue has a detailed list of pros and cons for clarity and has been rated according to assembly, ease of cooking, cooking results and value for money. From 2026, you’ll only see newly awarded Best Buy badges on cordless mowers that score 4.5 out of 5 or higher. Anything rated 3.5 or above will still feature in our ‘Best of the rest’ list.

Jump to best charcoal barbecues:

• Our best charcoal barbecues, under £200
• Our best charcoal barbecues, £200-500
• Our best charcoal barbecues, £500+

Jump to barbecue-buying advice:

• How to choose a charcoal barbecue
• Charcoal barbecues fuel and lighting
• How we test charcoal barbecues
• Meet our panel of testers

Our best charcoal barbecues, under £200

Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable

Our best portable charcoal barbecue 2025

RRP: £84.99

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£119.99) and Napoleon (£79.99)

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Reasons to buy:

• Portable & sustainable
• Lid, which locks in place to carry
• Sturdy design
• Good value

Reasons to avoid:

• Fiddly to assemble
• Not for a crowd

This portable kettle barbecue is light with a sturdy handle which makes it ideal for carrying either in the garden or out and about. The 14-inch grill is big enough for a family of four and unlike most portable barbecues it also has a lid with two air vents to help you effectively control the temperature. A dual zone charcoal basket allows you to use both direct and indirect grilling for the best results and there are clear instructions on how to use this.

This is a great alternative to a disposable barbecue. You can use proper lumpwood charcoal with it and a bag of charcoal fits neatly under the lid, so you can then lock and use the carry handle to store it away or take it all to the park, beach or the back of the car for trips away. Alex David

Dimensions: 96 x 89 x 90cm
Grill area: 910cm²

• Buy the Napoleon Premium 14 Charcoal Portable from Amazon (£199.99) and Napoleon (£79.99)

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Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal Barbecue

Our best barrel barbecue

RRP: £79.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: B&Q (£99.99), Robert Dyas (£79.99) and Vonhaus (£79.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Very high quality
• Cooked very well
• Big cooking surface
• Perfect height

Reasons to avoid:

• Poor quality wheels

Offering an efficient cooking surface that’s just right for catering to large crowds, the Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal Barbecue has a big grill that delivers delicious and quick results - we thoroughly cooked an entire spatchcock chicken in just 15 minutes. This was charred and crispy but not dry, remaining juicy throughout.  This barbecue was easy to load and quick to heat up, reaching cooking temperature in just 20 minutes.

Its cooking surface is 79cm off the ground, which suits most users. It has a handy warming rack, and its carry handle can double as a rest for barbecue tongs. Its lid is weighty but not heavy, with a very smooth opening action, and it fits snugly over the grill to seal in heat. There’s also a thermometer on the front of the lid, which makes it easy to see the temperature. The only drawbacks are its large size and the low-quality wheels, but these are minor issues. Alex David

Dimensions: 96 x 89 x 90cm
Grill area: 2,485cm²

Read the full Vonhaus Barrel Barbecue review

• Buy the Vonhaus Barrel Charcoal Barbecue from B&Q (£99.99), Robert Dyas (£79.99) and Vonhaus (£79.99)

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Lotus Grill G340

Our best portable charcoal barbecue

RRP: £175

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: LotusGrill (£175)

Reasons to buy:

• Very easy to use
• Super quick to light
• Smoke free
• Parts can be cleaned in dishwasher
• Simple design that stays cool to touch

Reasons to avoid:

• Needs batteries, lighting gel & charcoal chips
• Grill size limited, although larger models are available

The Lotus Grill is unlike any other charcoal barbecue we tested. As it's assisted by an electric fan, it takes only a few minutes to get up to cooking temperature. It’s simple and well thought out, offering easy, fuss-free cooking. It takes up hardly any space, produces no smoke and can even sit on top of the table; great for small gardens and courtyards. It’s perhaps not for barbecue aficionados but is ideal for anyone new to charcoal grilling. The safe, cool sides also make it great for introducing teens and older kids to barbecuing. Alex David

Dimensions: 23.4 x 35 x 35cm
Grill area: 804cm²

Read the full Lotus Grill review

• Buy the Lotus Grill from LotusGrill (£175)

Latest Deals

Our best charcoal barbecues, £200-500

Napoleon 22-inch Charcoal Kettle Grill Barbecue

Our best charcoal barbecue for user-friendly features

RRP: £229.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£249.99) and BBQ World (£218.49)

Reasons to buy:

• Compact & portable
• Easy to use
• Nifty hook to hang lid whilst cooking
• Hinged grill
• 10-year warranty

Reasons to avoid:

• Fiddly to assemble
• Exterior gets hot

The Napoleon 22-inch is a simple, well-designed kettle-style barbecue, ideal for newbies or those who appreciate a hassle-free cooking experience. It offers plenty of practical features, such as an integral hook so you can hang the lid off the side of the barbecue when you’re checking food, chunky wheels for good manoeuvrability, hinged grills for topping up fuel, removable ash catcher and a temperature gauge on the lid with helpful temperature zones.

It distributes heat evenly, which makes cooking easy. The outside of this grill is cool, offering useful indirect heat so you can cook food slowly, or keep it warm. Courgettes and potatoes cooked well with nicely defined grill lines. Thanks to being able to control the temperature, the kebabs were well-cooked, and the buns were nicely crisped and charred, but not burned. It also comes with a cover and a reassuringly generous 10-year warranty. However, it’s fiddly to assemble and the exterior gets hot. Alex David

Dimensions: 112 x 59 x 70cm
Grill area: 2,551cm²

• Buy the Napoleon 22" Charcoal Barbecue from Amazon (£249.99) and BBQ World (£218.49)

Latest Prices

Weber Classic Kettle E-5710

Our best budget kettle barbecue

RRP: £239

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Argos (£150), John Lewis (£169.99) and Weber (£239)

Reasons to buy:

• Good, well thought out features
• Easy to use
• Temperature gauge
• Handy lid hook
• Great accompanying handbook

Reasons to avoid:

• Takes up room in storage
• Lacks tool hooks

This classic kettle charcoal grill is sturdy with a simple intuitive design and is ideal for new users and anyone who wants tasty results easily. Big enough to feed up to six people, it’s easy to move in and out of storage and has handy features including easy cleaning, ash collection and a hook on the hood for tucking it out of the way whilst you’re turning the burgers. The helpful handbook ensures great cooking results. Alex David

Dimensions: 100.3 x 57.2 x 63.5cm
Grill area: 2,342cm²

Read the full Weber Classic E5710 review

• Buy the Weber Classic E5710 Kettle Barbecue from Argos (£150), John Lewis (£169.99) and Weber (£239)

Latest Prices

Char-Broil Kettleman

Our best charcoal barbecue for families

RRP: £259.99

Our rating: 4.3 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£159.99) and Robert Dyas (£159.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Generous size
• Storage rack at base
• Latch to lock lid
• Vents provide good temperature control

Reasons to avoid:

• Unclear instructions
• Tools not provided
• Not a lot of space between grill & coals

With enough grilling space to feed a family of four this sturdy and robust kettle barbecue is a reliable choice for summer grilling. It has an attractive design, smooth opening action and sturdy wheels that make it easy to move around the patio, decking or lawn. The Char-Broil Kettleman offers precise temperature control: the vents provide good airflow, allowing you to adjust the heat and smoke to your liking, plus, there’s a responsive temperature gauge on the lid.

However, we found the manual a little unclear owing to the diagram-only instructions and this, coupled with the many component parts to this barbecue, made assembly a bit of a challenge. It wasn’t entirely clear where the coals should sit either. Despite the difficulties with assembly, once the Kettleman was up and running, we enjoyed a fantastic grilling experience. The grill is generously sized and produced even and consistent browning across all of our test recipes. This model does lose heat quickly when opened, however, meaning some foods took longer than expected to cook. Alex David

Dimensions: ‎66 x 66 x 99.1 cm
Grill area: 3,421cm²

• Buy the Char-Broil Kettleman Barbecue from Amazon (£159.99) and Robert Dyas (£159.99)

Latest Prices

Weber Master-Touch GBS E-5755 Charcoal Barbecue

Our best kettle charcoal barbecue

RRP: £335

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: John Lewis (£335) and Weber (£335)

Reasons to buy:

• Very easy to assemble
• Large grilling area
• Distinct hot & cool areas for precision cooking
• Large ash catcher
• Easy to move around

Reasons to avoid:

• On the expensive side
• Exterior gets very hot
• Handle hard to hold

The Weber-Master Touch E-5755 is a generously sized charcoal barbecue is not only designed for traditional grilling but can also smoke, and Weber offers additional accessories including a pizza stone, wok, poultry smoker and more, making this one of the more versatile barbecues we’ve tested. It was the easiest barbecue to assemble, thanks to the App Bilt which gives you a 3D step-by-step guide to the building process.

Grilling is a joy on the Master-Touch GBS E-5755. It quickly reaches searing temperatures in the middle of the barbecue that are perfect for burgers, while also offering a cooler ring of indirect heat around the edge, for sides like corn on the cob that need slower, more controlled cooking. It’s a fabulous all-rounder that’s ideal for entertaining, but bear in mind it’s a little more expensive than other barbecues. We also didn’t like the wedge-shaped handle, but this is a minor criticism. Alex David

Dimensions: 118 x 65 x 76cm
Grill area: 2,342cm²

• Buy the Weber Master-Touch GBS E-5755 from John Lewis (£335) and Weber (£335)

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Kasai Konro Grill

Our best charcoal barbecue for Japanese-style barbecuing

RRP: £399

Our rating: 4.5 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (from £319.20) and John Lewis & Partners (£319.20)

Reasons to buy:

• Portable (handles on either side)
• Not overly heavy (about 11kg)
• Very stylish & great for Japanese-style yakitori cooking
• Speedy set up

Reasons to avoid:

• Pretty small, even for two to four people
• No lip/edge means sausages can roll off the grill

The Kasai Konro Grill is a compact, Japanese-style barbecue that’s both stylish and relatively accessible. We tested the Little Grill, though it is available in a range of sizes from Nano for £299 right up to XL for £799. Set-up takes less than five minutes from the box, and its brushed stainless-steel frame and vermiculite help keep the exterior cool so it’s safe to use on most surfaces.

The cooking area is on the smaller side but still sufficient for feeding two to four people, provided you don’t overload it, and there’s no raised edge so you need to keep an eye on anything that can roll. What it lacks in size, though, it more than makes up for in performance. In testing, it delivered consistently juicy, well-charred results across a range of foods from meat to fish to vegetables, all with a distinctive smoky flavour. Lydia Anderson

Dimensions: 21 x 40.5 x 26.5cm
Grill area: 1,040cm²

• Buy the Kasai Konro Grill from Amazon (from £319.20) and John Lewis & Partners (£319.20)

Our best charcoal barbecues, £500+

Big Green Egg

Our best charcoal smoker barbecue

RRP: £1,495

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: Big Green Egg (£1,495)

Reasons to buy:

• Superb cooking
• Easy to use

Reasons to avoid:

• Build is down to you

Perfect for those looking to treat themselves and experiment with outdoor cooking beyond traditional grilling, the Big Green Egg offers impressive versatility for ambitious home cooks. This large ceramic grill multitasks effortlessly as a barbecue, smoker and oven, making it easy to experiment with a wide range of outdoor cooking styles. It can reach intense searing temperatures or maintain a steady, low heat with notable precision, even over long cooking sessions.

Barbecuing remains a standout feature; it’s ready to cook after around 20 minutes and consistently produced some of the best results on test. There is a wide range of accessories available (though these will push the price up even further), including extra racks, baking stones and the option to have the Egg delivered fully assembled, which we would highly recommend. Kay Maguire

Dimensions: 80 x 56 x 69cm
Grill area: 1,662cm²

• Buy the Big Green Egg from Big Green Egg (£1,495)

Kamado Big Joe Series III

Our best premium charcoal barbecue

RRP: £2,899

Our rating: 4.8 out of 5

Available from: John Lewis (£2,209)

Reasons to buy:

• Very high quality
• Very versatile
• Great for smoking & low, slow cooking
• Comes with a lifetime warranty

Reasons to avoid:

• Heavy to move at 30kg
• Needs a little getting used to
• Expensive

This is a huge (130kg) egg-shaped ceramic charcoal grill with a hood. It has a thermometer and a system of vents to easily control airflow and temperature, making it easy to achieve a scorching 400°C (752°F). It's incredibly efficient; with the lid on it can maintain heat for hours, and can be used to slow cook.

It has a unique smoker - the Slōroller - which circulates smoke around the inside of the grill, with delicious results. It can even be used to roast a Christmas turkey, and you can buy a rotisserie attachment as well.  It’s very versatile for all sorts of cooking, scoring near-perfect marks in our cooking tests. This is a very high-end barbecue, and all of its parts - even hinges - are heavy-duty and of the highest quality. However, at over £2,000, this is a lifetime investment for serious barbecuers. Alex David

Dimensions: 148 x 136 x 91cm
Grill area: 2,992cm²

Read the full Kamado Big Joe Series III review

• Buy the Kamado Joe Series III from John Lewis (£2,909)

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The best of the rest

Although some models didn’t quite achieve a BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine Best Buy award, they still have features that make them worth recommending. Browse our pick of the best of the rest.

Cobb Premier Air

RRP: £190

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£189.98)

Reasons to buy:

• Easy set up
• Light & very portable
• Effective vents on the lid
• Lots of accessories available

Reasons to avoid:

• Hard to light Cobb cobblestone
• Slow to cook & limited space
• Food slides on the flat grill grid & no char lines
• Moat stains & very difficult to clean

Weighing just 4kg, this neat little barbecue is designed for portability, and comes with a great zip up bag to carry it around in. There are no instructions in the very lengthy manual but once you’ve worked out the order how all the pieces go together, it's ready to go in less than five minutes. It uses charcoal briquettes or its own Cobb cobblestones, which are smoke-free and provide up to two hours of fuel. However, we found them extremely tricky to light and needed firelighters underneath a cobblestone to get it going. Once lit, though, it burned efficiently and well, and the barbecue took just five minutes to heat up. It’s easy to control the temperature with the vents on the lid, which you adjust via the handle to create hotter temperatures with a wider gap and cooler with a narrow gap.

Unlike many charcoal barbecues, you can only cook on direct heat, and because the grill grid has an almost solid surface, you get no char lines and some food, like sausages, has a tendency to slide around like they would in a frying pan. Although this barbecue is similar in size and design to the Lotus, this standard cooking surface included with the Cobb, is nowhere as good and although you can purchase other grills and griddles these come at an extra cost. The Cobb also has a moat that sits around the fuel basket and allows you to add flavourings such as wine or cook vegetables etc alongside whatever’s on the grill grid, but after cooking, we found this extremely difficult to get clean. Ours stained after the very first use and although it’s not dirty it detracts from the shiny stainless steel appearance the Cobb had when it first arrived.

The potatoes and vegetable kebabs we cooked, did so reasonably quickly but we found uneven heat across the grid. The chicken we cooked had a layer a burn rather than charring. This barbecue is easy to transport and solid and stable once going but, as a barbecue we found it disappointing. With its effective lid and temperature control it‘s more like a mini camping oven and may be best for foodies keen to experiment on the go rather than easy, successful barbecuing. It comes with a two-year warranty. Alex David

Dimensions: 35 x 33cm
Grill area: 855cm²

• Buy the Cobb Premier Air Charcoal Barbecue from Amazon (£189.98)

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Minimax Big Green Egg

RRP: £925

Our rating: 4 out of 5

Available from: Big Green Egg (£925)

Reasons to buy:

• Sturdy, durable design
• Easy to assemble
• Safe to use

Reasons to avoid:

• High heat may take some getting used to
• Heavy, not portable without assistance
• High price tag

The smallest, and most affordable charcoal barbecue released by Big Green Egg, the Minimax  is a good choice for couples, or small families willing to pay more for reliability and ease of use. It comes partially pre-assembled and with helpful instructions that are accompanied by  a video guide accessible via QR code. Compact and attractively designed, this ceramic barbecue takes up little space, and is easy to fit in a garden or shed for storage - however, it's heavy, despite the carry handle on either side and needs two people to lift it. Its sturdy, insulated body, heatproof handles, and four rubber-tipped feet also make it a safe choice to use on a table or lawn.

The Minimax is easy to light, getting to temperature within just ten minutes, and this initial load of charcoal is all it needs, as it burns fuel very efficiently. It has a temperature gauge and vents in its base and lid, which allow you to monitor and manage the cooking temperature by changing its airflow, and it cooks vegetables and meat well and with good char, but it cooks quickly enough to mean vegetable skewers should be watched to prevent burning. Cleaning the Minimax Big Green Egg is simple, too; just remove all residual coal and brush its internal components down. Its premium price tag may be enough to put some people off, but those willing to pay more for will find this model a powerful and easy-to-use little barbecue. Alex David

Dimensions: 50 x 56cm
Grill area: 855cm²

• Buy the Big Green Egg Minimax Charcoal Barbecue from Big Green Egg (£925)

Latest Deals

Everdure by Heston Blumenthal CUBE charcoal BBQ

RRP: £136

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Amazon (£109)

Reasons to buy:

• Attractive
• Compact
• Easy to transport
• Cool-touch handles
• Deceptively large surface area for cooking

Reasons to avoid:

• Limited space for coal
• No temperature gauge
• No lid
• Exposed to the elements as it’s left open during cooking

Those with limited outdoor space will be well served by this compact box barbecue. Available in three colours, it comes with integrated storage and handy bamboo chopping board for speedy food prep on the go and at home. Despite its robust build, the porcelain enamel firebox is impressively lightweight and comes with cool-touch handles on either side, so you can easily pick it up and carry it around. Set-up is also straightforward, and though the instructions lack some detail, no actual assembly is required.

In testing, getting this barbecue to light and retain heat without a lid was difficult, and without a temperature gauge there was no way of knowing how hot it was. Once it got going though, we found it produced good results. The vegetable skewers were unevenly charred but flavoursome, and our potato slices had a crisp bite with grill lines. The hefty price tag comes down to the name attached to it, but if you've the budget and eye for style, the Everdure Cube is certainly worth considering. Alex David

Dimensions: 23 x 42.5 x 34.7cm
Grill size: 670cm²

• Buy the Everdure by Heston Blumenthal CUBE charcoal BBQ from Amazon (£109)

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Boss Grill The Egg XS

RRP: £250

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Appliances Direct (£199)

Reasons to buy:

• Easy to assemble
• Reasonably priced
• Small, table-top size
• Temperature gauge

Reasons to avoid:

• Heat-proof handles gets hot
• Hard to control heat & grill gets very hot

This barbecue promises to be an eye-catching addition to the garden yet there’s more to this model than good looks, as it also offers great value and plenty of versatility. Capable of grilling, roasting, baking, smoking and even cooking pizza, the Boss Grill Egg XS is easy to build and use, taking just 20 minutes to get up to temperature. The materials are good quality, it feels solid and sturdy once it’s on its stand, and the hood is spring-loaded and closes firmly. The Boss Grill Egg XS is an ideal size for a small family, allowing you to cook four burgers at a time. However, we found that its excellent heat-retention means that it gets so hot it scorches food.

On test, the courgettes and kebabs cooked well with clear grill lines, but the potato slices burnt before they cooked through, and the buns toasted unevenly, as there are a few cool spots above the ceramic tiles. Unlike other models we tested, it doesn’t have lots of features, but does include a temperature gauge and thick, sturdy wooden handles. Designed to be a table-top BBQ, it doesn’t have wheels and needs to be placed on a heat-proof surface.

Though small, this is a heavy barbecue, so it’s not the obvious choice if you’re looking for a truly portable option, and the handles get quite hot, despite being heat-proof. It comes with a one-year warranty, which is disappointingly short, but does come with a cover and a pizza stone. Alex David

Dimensions: 62 x 55 x 54cm
Grill area: 1,122cm²

• Buy the Boss Grill XS Charcoal Barbecue from Appliances Direct (£199)

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Vonhaus Compact Charcoal Barbecue

RRP: £114.99

Our rating: 3.8 out of 5

Available from: Vonhaus (£114.99) and Amazon (£107.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Adjustable smoke/temperature control
• Lots of features

Reasons to avoid:

• Small grill area
• Poorly defined grill lines

This cheap but cheerful charcoal barbecue and smoker is packed with plenty of features for the price. It comes with a thermometer, two side tables, inbuilt storage, a bottle opener and handy wheels for moving around. The most notable feature is an adjustable firebox, so you can choose the height of your charcoal or smoking wood and adjust the temperature. It also has a front door, so you can easily add more wood while smoking. It offers a surprising number of features for a barbecue of this price and compact size. It’s great if you’ve got a little garden or courtyard, but beware if you’ll be catering to a crowd - this barbecue had an even smaller grill area than a camping barbecue that we had to hand as we tested.

As with many of the parts of this barbecue, the grills were poorly machined, and didn’t quite fit. The grill also has wide gaps, so smaller ingredients like halloumi fell onto the coals. This also meant that grill lines were poorly defined. Though it’s simple to assemble, it’s very fiddly. All the parts need to be screwed into each other, so assembly took us about an hour. While it’s a great price, it feels wobbly and cheap. We think this barbecue suits couples and small families on a budget - you could comfortably stretch it to four people, but not more. Alex David

Dimensions: 120.5 x 108.5 x 50cm
Grill area: 1,312cm²

• Buy the Vonhaus Compact Charcoal Barbecue from Vonhaus (£114.99) and Amazon (£107.99)

Latest Prices

Weber Go-Anywhere charcoal barbecue

RRP: £114.99

Our rating: 3 out of 5

Available from: Argos (£115) and John Lewis (£114.99)

Reasons to buy:

• Friendly grill size for both direct & indirect cooking
• Well fitting lid with two vents
• Stay-cool ergonomic handle

Reasons to avoid:

• No temperature gauge
• Exterior and surface beneath get very hot
• Legs not sturdy
• Food quickly burns if not watched

This simple, box barbecue from Weber is portable and easy to use, with a grill big enough for a couple or small family. Well designed for use at home or on the move, it's quick to set up and pack down and most of the materials are sturdy and robust and come with a 10 year warranty. Once lit, it heats up and cooks fast, so food like vegetables will need watching to ensure they don't burn, but despite its small size, the grill is large enough for cooking on both direct and indirect heat, with room to heat food in the centre and then move it to the side to stay warm.

Vents in the lid can help you control the heat, but there's no  temperature gauge, which can make it tricky to know exactly how hot it's getting. The outside of the barbecue also got ferociously hot and even though the grill is raised off the ground, heat builds up underneath, so wherever you use it, care must be taken to only cook on a heat proof or concrete surface. Alex David

Dimensions: 37 x 53 x 31cm
Grill area: 1,092cm²

• Buy the Weber Go-Anywhere Charcoal Barbecue from Argos (£115) and John Lewis (£114.99)

Latest Deals

Getting ready to entertain this summer? Check out our reviews of the best pizza ovens and the best gas BBQs, both in collaboration with Good Food Magazine, and our guides to barbecue accessories and fire pits.

To help set the scene see our test of the best solar lights, or our guide to parasols and to help keep your barbecue in tip top condition, our experts have put the best pressure washers through their paces, so you can buy with confidence.

How to choose a charcoal barbecue

Consider the following points when choosing a charcoal barbecue for your garden:

• Size: Bigger isn’t always better – if you’re only entertaining a few, a small kettle barbecue is all you need. Make sure your barbecue fits comfortably in your garden, away from fire hazards
• Special features: Some of the best charcoal barbecues come with extras as standard – look out for warming racks that will keep food hot until you’re all ready to eat, thermometers to gauge cooking times precisely and heat vents in the lid to help control the temperature when you’re cooking. Side tables for keeping plates and sauces close at hand and tool racks are also very handy
• Extra functions: If you’re a keen cook or just fancy giving something new a go, keep an eye out for charcoal barbecues with multiple functions. Lots of the best charcoal barbecues can also be used as smokers, ovens and even tandoors

Charcoal barbecue fuel and lighting

Although it's easy to pick up charcoal online, in garden centres, even supermarkets, sustainable charcoal is now easy to find, and while it can be more expensive, you should need less of it because it burns more slowly, and gives out better heat, which will offset some of the cost. Look for the FSC logo of the Forest Stewardship Council, the global certification scheme of wood products, on the pack to ensure charcoal is sourced from properly managed forests.

Avoid briquettes and self-lighting charcoal that contain chemicals and give off strong odours  as they’ll affect the flavour of your food and never use petrol, chemicals or firelighters intended for coal fires to light your barbecue. Instead look for natural firelighters, which are widely available.

How we tested charcoal barbecues

Together with our colleagues at Good Food Magazine, the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine reviews team tested a range of charcoal barbecues. Each was unpacked, assembled, used to cook a variety of food and then cleaned and packed away. We assessed according to specific criteria with Good Food putting particular emphasis on how well each barbecue cooked while we assessed the barbecues within a garden context, including how easy they are to assemble, move around and store. They were assessed according to the following criteria with equal marks attributed to each:

• Assembly: Looked at the ease of assembly, clarity of instructions, warm-up time and how easy the barbecue is to store
• Ease of use: Focused on comfort and ease of use, how easy it is to move around the garden, and to light and cook
• Cooking results: We cooked a variety of common barbecue food to assess the non-stick ability of each grill, its grid-cooking capabilities, and how well it chars, softens, and seals food. We also checked for defined lines, even cooking, sticking and hot spots. Above all, we tested how long it took to cook each dish and how well each dish tasted
• Value for Money: Considered all of the above as well as quality, design, warranty and price

For more information on our testing process see How we review.

Design tips for your BBQ area

A BBQ is the perfect addition to your garden, making it the perfect space for entertaining friends and family. Here are some more tips on how to make your garden the ideal spot for hosting this summer:

Choose some furniture
Think about how much space you have and how many people you’d like to host when choosing your garden furniture. Take a look at our favourite garden furniture sets.

Design the area around your BBQ
If you’re designing a new area in your garden, think about how the BBQ fits into that design. Do you want to make a feature of it, or keep it hidden when not in use? Barbecue ideas for all types of gardens offers all sorts of inspiring design ideas.

Create a patio area
A patio is the perfect spot for a BBQ, providing a level surface for the BBQ as well as space for a table and chairs, ideal for hosting dinner parties. See our patio ideas feature for tips on making the most of your patio.

Create an outdoor kitchen
If spending time cooking and eating outside is a big part of your life, you might even like to build an outdoor kitchen.

Add lighting
For evenings when your outdoor entertaining lasts beyond sunset, you might like to choose some lighting. See our review of the best solar lights for ideas. Just be wary of your neighbours and wildlife if entertaining into the night!

Meet our testing panel

Oliver Parsons, Strategic Projects Editor
Oliver is a gardener and magazine journalist of 20 years’ experience. He trained as a professional horticulturalist at RHS Garden Hyde Hall in Chelmsford and has also worked for Gardening Which?, as a freelance gardener and with the gardening team at Down House in Kent. He is now Strategic Projects Editor at BBC Gardeners’ World Magazine and GardenersWorld.com, heading up our reviews desk, Apple News output and weekly newsletter.

Kay Maguire, Magazines Editor
Kay trained at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and has been writing and making films about gardening ever since. She has written for websites and magazines, including The Garden and Amateur Gardening, was Horticultural Editor on BBC Gardeners' World Magazine for five years, and has also written several books on a range of gardening topics from growing house plants to making the most of a small space. After several years as Reviews Editor, building up our reviews section into a leading resource for UK gardeners, she has now become Magazines Editor for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, responsible for all print output.

Harry Duncton, Freelance Powered Tools Tester
Harry has a wealth of experience, from being a language teacher to a tree surgeon, and has built this into a career writing about all things DIY and gardening. A passionate believer in self-reliance, his aim is to inspire others to give it a go themselves and not worry about making a few mistakes along the way. A regular contributor to popular DIY blogs and a recent addition to the BBC Gardeners' World Magazine team, he loves tracking down the best new tools and writing about them.

Sue Fisher, Freelance Garden Writer
Sue’s extensive horticultural career spans over 40 years, starting with a decade in the garden centre and nursery industry before developing into an accomplished gardening writer, designer and speaker. Sue writes regularly for BBC Gardeners' World Magazine, GardenersWorld.com and Garden Answers magazine. She has written 10 books on subjects including container gardening, plants for small gardens and designing with colour, and she has co-authored other books with some of the biggest names in gardening.

Emma Crawforth, Horticulture Editor
Emma holds the Kew Diploma in Horticulture and has been working in horticulture for 18 years, including roles in public gardens, a plant nursery supplying plants for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and a training college for young horticulturists. She looks after an ornamental, fruit and veg garden at home and regularly undertakes trips to see plants growing in their natural habitats. She is the author of the Kew Publications book, Things to Do with Plants.

Jane Moore, Freelance Garden Writer
In a horticultural career spanning 30 years, Jane has been a head gardener at a Benedictine Abbey, a writer for national gardening magazines and newspapers, a researcher on BBC gardening programmes and a TV presenter on BBC Gardeners’ World. Among her many accolades are a Chelsea Flower Show medal, several awards from the Garden Media Guild and her books are published worldwide. She has spent 30 years working as a hands-on head gardener, using tools on a daily basis.

This review was last updated in July 2026. We apologise if anything has changed in price or availability.

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