The best garden parasols and umbrellas to keep your garden shaded this summer
Garden parasols are the ultimate accessory for transforming your outdoor space into a chic, shaded haven. As sunny days will (hopefully) soon make an appearance, it's time to equip your patio set-up with some stylish and functional shade overhead. Whether you're seeking a cantilever parasol to hover gracefully over your decking, or a classic garden umbrella to pair with your luxe new sun lounger, the choices are endless.
Parasols are more than just sun shades; they're pivotal pieces of garden furniture that enhance both the aesthetics and comfort of your outside space. If you're hosting outdoor dining under a sturdy, UV-resistant polyester canopy, protecting you from harmful rays, your guests will thank you for it. And with options like heavy-duty parasols built to withstand strong winds, you can sit back and relax, knowing your investment is both durable and reliable.
For those who love a bit of versatility, a tilting garden parasol with a crank mechanism is perfect. These freestanding designs can be adjusted with ease, thanks to their convenient crank handle, ensuring optimal sun protection throughout the day. And let's not forget the allure of LED lights, or even Bluetooth speakers integrated into your parasol, adding a touch of glitz to evening gatherings around the garden table – and putting the fun into functional.
Cantilever parasols, with their sleek designs and impressive functionality, are ideal for providing ample shade over larger areas like expansive dining tables. These products often come with a robust parasol base, ensuring stability even on windy days. Plus, their water-repellent and water-resistant canopies make them highly practical for the most unpredictable British weather.
Whether you're setting up a patio umbrella for casual garden lounging or choosing a portable beach parasol for your seaside adventures, these sun shades offer unmatched style and protection. Stainless steel frames and resistant canopies are built to last, while features like a pulley or tilt mechanism provide ease of use. For those with limited space, a wall-mounted parasol can offer the perfect solution, giving you the shade you need without taking up valuable ground space.
From octagonal designs to large parasols that cover expansive areas, these versatile pieces are must-haves for anyone who lives for being outside. So, whether you're lounging solo or entertaining guests, make sure your garden is equipped with the best garden parasol to enjoy sunny days in ultimate comfort and style.
The best garden parasols – at a glance
- Best luxury garden parasol: Riviera Parasol, Multicolour, £249, Raj Tent Club
- Best retro garden parasol: Larna Patterned Fringed Parasol, £120, La Redoute
- Best value garden parasol: 2.7m Macrame Parasol, £79, Dunelm
- Best Chinese-inspired garden parasol: Kyoto Parasol, Cream, £180, Cox & Cox
- Best block-printed garden parasol: Blue Coral Fabric Garden Parasol, £195, Oliver Bonas
What is the best garden parasol to buy in 2024?
Taking style, practicality, craftsmanship, durability, and affordability all into account, our top buy for 2024 is Dunelm's 2.7m Macrame Parasol. At under £80, it proves our best value parasol overall – this is a product that looks and feels much more expensive than it is. We love its understated, timeless style, complete with long tassels that give it movement in the summer breeze. All that's missing is a large jug of Pimm's and some excellent company.
After more outdoor content? We've found the best picnic blankets for gatherings in the park, the best picnic bags for transporting your boxed wine and the best umbrellas to keep you dry if the rain makes an appearance. Head this way for the best pizza ovens for al fresco dining, over here for the best BBQs for the ultimate garden party feast and over here for the best patio heaters so you can kick back and never get cold. We've even got fire pits for a Love Island-style garden makeover, the best hanging egg chairs for your patio and the best garden furniture sets. You are most welcome.
Scroll down for our edit of 17 stylish – and practical – garden parasols to buy for sublime shade this summer
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 214cm x Dia. 183cm.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
There's nothing we don't love about this retro-inspired garden brolly – except perhaps its relatively high price. But it is so worth the investment. The premium parasol is adorned with ecru cotton fringing, combines printed polyester/cotton canvas with UV, mould, and water-resistant treatment, and it features marine-grade aluminium fittings and a reclaimed timber wood pole with a chestnut finish.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 216cm x Dia. 2m.
- Weight: 15kg.
- Base included?: No.
Fresh as a daisy, and channeling serious 70s vibes, the Larna features a vibrant floral print, a fringed finish, and boasts water-repellent properties. Crafted from a durable polyester canvas, it boasts an adjustable aluminium pole with a chic wood-look finish. It also comes with a cute matching storage bag. Perfect for sunny days.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 237cm x Dia. 274cm.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
Consider your outdoor space instantly elevated with Dunelm's offering. It boasts an understated cream colourway, macrame fringing, wood effect pole, and an easy push-up mechanism, combining timeless sophistication and convenience. We love the way the deep fringed edge dances gracefully in the breeze, bringing a touch of whimsy to the patio.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 2.57cm x Dia. 3m.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
This serene and timeless beauty from Cox & Cox has us swooning. It's crafted from premium all-weather material with UV 50+ protection, and features a ribbed canopy that mimics traditional paper and bamboo designs. Boasting a clever crank and tilt function, it ensures perfect positioning for casual lounging or long garden lunches. A must-have for stylish sun protection.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 247cm x Dia. 193cm.
- Weight: 5.6kg.
- Base included?: No.
Sometimes all you need is a little bit of shade to cover your bistro table for two, or your garden swing seat while you curl up with a good book. And this diminutive number from Oliver Bonas more than does the job. Without doubt our prettiest pick, the parasol features a block-printed blue coral pattern with a contrasting yellow tassel trim – and it is giving us serious Bridgerton vibes.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 245 x Dia. 270cm.
- Weight: 4.2kg.
- Base included?: No.
This contemporary garden parasol features an easy wind-up mechanism and tilt adjustment for targeted sun protection. With its UV50+ shower-resistant canopy, corrosion-resistant aluminium pole, and shock-resistant ribs, it proves both stylish and sturdy. Designed to beautifully blend into the natural colours of your garden, it comes in calming neutrals of grey, green, or oyster.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 230cm x Dia. 190.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
This striking Balinese-inspired number will be the envy of garden party guests. The orange russet canopy, adorned with a gold lotus pattern and complemented by peach fringing and green tassels, brings a touch of the exotic, and a whole lot of whimsy to outside spaces. Crafted in 20 meticulous stages with brass fittings and a hand-carved pole, it's available in 2m and 3m widths.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 254cm x Dia. 263cm.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
Chic, clean-lined, and highly practical, this M&S number has you – and your al fresco dining guests – covered. Its sturdy cantilever design puts paid to annoying poles upsetting your sightline, or your tablescaping schemes, while its protective fabric (think UPF50+) ensures you're fully safe from the sun's harmful rays.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 2.55m x Dia. 3m.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
This classic beige umbrella is ideal for increasing your shade coverage in the day – and it doubles up as a light source at night with its inbuilt LED lights that are cleverly solar powered. The umbrella provides a large area of shade, but with its cantilever design, your garden won't be taken up by the base, which can be kept out of the way.
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Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 261cm x Dia. 3m.
- Weight: 5kg.
- Base included?: No.
Looking to host a luau this summer? La Redoute's offering will bring exotic flair to your outdoor space. Decorative and practical in equal measure, it features a striking fringed design, UPF50+ protection, and a durable steel pole with a natural wood effect. The 100% polyester canvas and fibreglass ribs ensure longevity, too.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 215cm x Dia. 2m.
- Weight: 3.1kg.
- Base included?: No.
We love this fuss-free affordable option from John Lewis's design-led but purse-friendly ANYDAY range. Featuring a shower-resistant canopy with UV50+ protection and a sturdy steel pole, it allows you enjoy the outdoors safely and comfortably – without breaking the bank. Choose between grey and blue colourways.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 205cm x Dia. 2m.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
Garden parasols can be expensive – and cumbersome. This dotty number from George at Asda is neither of those things. As much at home on the beach as it is in the back garden, the parasol features an arresting black and white print, a cream fringe finish, sleek white pole, and a nifty carry bag for effortless transport and storage, making it your ideal summer companion.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 245cm x Dia. 250cm.
- Weight: Unspecified.
- Base included?: No.
With its chic Chinese-inspired design, this decorative parasol is pleasing on the eye whether it's up or down. The neat circular canopy boasts multiple ribs that create a striking shape and elegant drape. Choose grey or sage for a tonal blend in your back garden, or go pink or teal for a vibrant colour pop. On the practical side, it offers an impressive UPF50+ UV protection.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 200cm x Dia. 180cm.
- Weight: 2.2kg.
- Base included?: No.
We do love a nautical stripe, and this parasol brings vintage charm to the garden by the boat-load. On the practical side, The UPF50+ fabric canopy ensures excellent sun protection, while the anti-rust powder-coated steel pole and aluminum tilt mechanism provide targeted shade and durability. It's also pleasingly compact and easy to set up, and it comes with a matching carry bag and beach anchor.
Specifications:
- Dimensions: L90 x W10 x H4.6cm.
- Weight: 12kg.
- Base included?: Yes.
This modern cantilever umbrella is a great investment for your outdoor space. Made from water resistant terylene fabric, it provides both UV protection and is water resistant in case of an unexpected downpours. Its hanging design makes it easy to open, close and reposition, so you'll get maximum use out of it.
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Specifications:
- Dimensions: H 250cm x Dia. 3m.
- Weight: 12kg.
- Base included?: Cross base included, weights not included.
If you're committed to having an umbrella, this heavy duty wall mounted parasol is a great option. It has a strong aluminium frame and arm that extends out from your wall, saving space that you would usually need for a sizeable base; plus it comes in the perfect neutral grey tone.
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Specifications:
- Dimensions: H235cm x Dia.270cm.
- Weight: 5kg.
- Base included?: No.
A veritable party parasol, this one boasts an integrated Bluetooth speaker and LED lights. Solar-powered and easily controlled via a switch, it pairs seamlessly with devices up to five metres away. The adjustable height and crank tilt mechanism ensure perfect shade and coverage, too. Who says you have to go in when the sun goes down?
