Best garden arbours for an outdoor sanctuary

By Dan Fauzi

Published: Thursday, 29 September 2022 at 12:00 am

Arbours can be used in a number of ways, whether it’s as a seating area or as an archway on a garden path. They can also work similarly to pergolas, providing a floral canopy above a chosen area of the garden.

Most garden arbours are made from wood but metal options, quite often hardened steel, are becoming increasingly popular as a way to add a splash of modernity to your outdoor space.

We’ve found the best and most stylish arbours that can wonderfully add to a variety of garden styles.

Best garden arbours to buy in 2022

Noah’s Arbour

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If you’re looking for something particularly eye-catching, this arbour can be a significant feature or centrepiece of the garden. More specifically, this garden arbour can be used as a dining table, sitting up to four adults in a sheltered, self-contained furniture piece.

The trellis panels above the benches are perfect for growing climbing plants, giving you the opportunity to personalise the arbour to suit your garden’s style. It’s constructed from timber with a 10-year guarantee against rot, so the structure should be built to last.

Rowlinson Winchester

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In a softer colour that’s bound to blend with the natural tones of the garden, the Winchester arbour from Rowlinson can help create a beautiful outdoor space. The colour pictured is its natural finish, so you can leave it as is or paint to better suit your style.

It’s made using FSC-certified timber with a metal roof, and there’s underseat storage for any blankets or goods that you might need to hand.

Blooma Chiltern Round Top Arbour

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With its lattice panels and rounded top, this garden arbour from B&Q can be as decorative as it is functional. The structure can be adorned with climbing plants and hanging lights, while the bench below would make a wonderful place to spend a lazy, sunny afternoon.

Gothic Arbour Bench

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In a powder-coated aluminium, this Gothic Arbour Bench from Cox & Cox is beautifully minimalist. The black frame is suited to growing certain plants like honeysuckle, roses or clematis, although without any greenery the frame works as a bold way to add structure and definition to your garden.

Cottage Arbour

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This wooden cottage garden arbour is a sturdy structure, made from smooth redwood timber that’s pressure treated. The size of the roof should provide some comfortable shelter in all weather conditions, whether that’s from the sun or the rain.

Rowlinson Wrenbury

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This round arch from Rowlinson is perfect for blending modern features into a natural setting. It’s made using hardened steel and can be a fantastic base frame for a floral display, well-suited to roses, jasmine and honeysuckle.

Charlbury Rose Arch

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This garden arch is wonderfully minimal to allow you to create your own array of flowers. The steel frame is light and elegant, where you can use it as the archway of a path or as the setting for a cosy seat.

Parcel in the Attic Jerez Arbour

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Parcel in the Attic have six different arbour designs available, including the Jerez Arbour with its pointed arch and cosy seating area. It’s made using pressure-treated, FSC-certified timber, in a natural, light brown finish.

There’s storage space underneath the seating for any items that are essential to your gardening or outdoor lounging. The trellis panels make great frames to grow climbing plants, too, like common hops and hydrangeas. The garden arbour comes with a ten-year guarantee against rot.

Shire Rose Arbour

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Made from pressure-treated, FSC-approved pinewood, this arbour is full of charm, with trellis details and a pointed arch. Although it’s painted in a sage green above, the arbour comes in its natural pinewood finish, allowing you to customise it if needed. It also comes with a one-year guarantee.