WITH spring upon us and warmer weather (hopefully) around the corner, our thoughts turn to spending more time outdoors – and the best garden gazebos enable us to do just that.
There’s something about eating al fresco, enjoying a glass of wine with friends outside, or simply relaxing in the garden that is part of summer.
And, even though we can’t always rely on great weather in the UK, if you've got a gazebo that doesn’t matter so much.
Plus, if the weather is scorching, then the best gazebos will also protect you from the sun’s rays.
There are many types of gazebo available, from compact pop-up styles perfect for travel, to high-end sturdy wooden gazebos that won't budge; the choice is vast.
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A stylish, statement way to spruce up your outdoor area, gazebos are also an excellent way to extend your entertainment space for lawn parties and BBQs, allowing guests to enjoy alfresco dining and socialising while sheltering from the sun, wind and rain.
When it comes to budget, gazebos are available at every price point. Simple, affordable designs start at around £50 and, depending on the material and size of gazebo you're after, at the top end of the market, permanent gazebos can reach into the thousands.
Extras to look out for when purchasing your gazebo are built-in LED lights, pockets and shelving, which are ideal for outdoor grilling.
Whatever you need your gazebo for – whether as an extra shelter during camping, a place to enjoy outdoor dining, a designated garden play space for kids, or as an all-weather cover for your hot tub – we've got it covered with our selection of the best garden gazebos available to buy right now.
Best gazebos at a glance:
- Best overall: ABCCANOPY
- Best pop-up gazebo: Leedor
- Best pergola: The Range
- Best for price: Argos
- Best for festivals: Janvey
- Best investment: Palram
- Best BBQ gazebo: bigzzia
- Best for hot tubs: KEXM
ABCCANOPY 3x3m Pop-Up Gazebo
- ABCCANOPY 3.6x3.6m Pop-Up Gazebo, £269.99 from Amazon - buy here
For a functional, sturdy, yet aesthetically-pleasing gazebo that doesn't cost the earth, this product is the one to beat.
Offering approximately 169 square feet of coverage, it easily has enough room for 12 people and its tie-back curtain panels give you the option of how enclosed you want your social gathering to feel.
Made with a premium steel frame, it's solidly built and rust-resistant, plus the two-tier roof allows air to circulate and makes the gazebo more stable against a strong summer breeze.
While it's windproof and offers UV protection, it's not waterproof, and although many shoppers say it shields the rain well, it's worth considering before buying.
Dimensions: 2.44 x 2.44 x 3.43m, Materials: Steel, Assembly: Pop up, Colours: Grey, royal blue, khaki, brown, white, and forest green
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Leedor Pop-up Gazebo
- Leedor Pop Up Gazebo, £603.16 for the 10-panel version from Amazon - buy here
For a lightweight pop-up gazebo with a difference, this design from Leedor requires no assembly and the smallest size weighs just 15lbs.
It's at the higher end of the price spectrum and the cost increases depending on how much space you require – there are three sizes to choose from, including 10ft, 12ft and 15ft – so get out that tape measure to be sure you're getting the right size for your garden.
However big you decide to go, the gazebo opens up swiftly and simply in the same way as a pop-up tent, then folds down into a bag for storage. Satisfied reviewers say it is incredibly simple to put up, with even elderly shoppers and lone campers stating they did it on their own.
The waterproof ceiling will keep the rain out and shelter you from the sun while the surrounding mesh is great for preventing bugs from getting in.
Dimensions: 4.57 x 4.57 x 2.59m, Materials: Fibreglass, alloy steel, iron Assembly: Pop up, Weight: 25lbs, Colours: Grey
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The Range Outsunny Steel Pergola Gazebo
- The Range Outsunny Steel Pergola Gazebo Backyard Porch Awning, £269.99 from The Range - buy here
A higher-priced option, this Steel Pergola Gazebo from retail giant The Range is also arguably one of the most stylish in our line-up.
With a beautifully chic design, it's made from sturdy anti-rust steel and has a gorgeous canopy roof that opens and closes with ease – so you can control how much sunshine you'd like to let in. Handy drainage holes also stop any water build-up.
More of a permanent garden feature than a pop-up entertainment space, this gazebo will provide a modern and stylish twist to your garden and it's a chic addition to lazy summer weekends spent on the patio (cocktails optional).
Dimensions: 350 x 350 x 230cm, Materials: Polyester, steel, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: Unknown, Colours: Grey and beige
Argos Home 4m Hexagonal Garden Gazebo
Argos Home hexagonal garden gazebo, £140 from Argos - buy here
A roomy choice, this spacious gazebo from high-street favourite Argos is four metres wide, making it perfect for outdoor parties, or even as a shady child's play space as it's possible to fit a swing and slide underneath.
With a height of 260cm - around 8'5" - it'll provide cover for even the tallest of house visitors.
A great choice if you're looking for some cover from the sun during the warmer months, it's showerproof rather than waterproof, which is worth bearing in mind if you were hoping to use it during winter.
It can be mounted on most floors, whether that's grass or decking, and it's put up using poles that connect together. While it's not as speedy to erect as a pop-up gazebo, shoppers say it's straightforward enough, taking around half an hour to an hour to put up the first time.
Dimensions: 260 x 400 x 400cm, Materials: Metal, steel, unknown fabric, Assembly: Pop up, Weight: 12kg, Colours: Blue
Wayfair Janvey Steel Pop Up Gazebo
- Janvey Steel Pop Up Gazebo, £84.99 from Wayfair - buy here
This budget-friendly option from Wayfair comes in an array of colours, including green, beige, black, white, red, blue and grey, so it'll suit any look you're aiming for.
It's 3m x 3m and made from rust-resistant aluminium, plus, according to happy shopper reviews, it pops up in minutes.
The soft-top roof is UV- and water-resistant, with a watertight plug and tapered seams for extra protection. Plus, it comes with weight bags for additional security and sturdiness, as well as an easy-to-use storage bag for transporting it to festivals and campsites, if you're so inclined.
Dimensions: 300 x 300 x 255cm, Materials: Steel, plastic, Assembly: Pop up, Weight: 12kg, Colours: Red and white (other colours out of stock)
Palram Canopia Palermo Garden Gazebo
- Palram Canopia Palermo Garden Gazebo, £1,148.88 from Amazon - buy here
If you want to really up the ante in your garden and invest in a permanent pergola, this solid grey beauty from Amazon will do the trick.
Made with an aluminium frame and polycarbonate panel roof, this gazebo offers heavy-duty protection from the great British weather.
The ideal way to practically extend your living space to the outdoors, it isn't cheap, but it comes with a 10-year warranty, so you can be confident it'll go the distance.
Dimensions: 2.95 x 2.95 x 2.76m, Materials: Plastic, aluminium, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 59kg, Colours: Grey
bigzzia Double Tiered BBQ Gazebo
bigzzia Double Tiered BBQ Gazebo, £139.99 from Amazon - buy here
Ensure you can have burgers on the barbecue come rain or shine with this nifty BBQ gazebo from Amazon.
This practical gazebo is easy to assemble and durable thanks to its heavy-duty stainless steel construction. Plus, the double-tired polyester offers UV protection and a waterproof shelter.
The counters and hooks on each side are handy for barbecue tools and plates, but this gazebo is multi-purpose: it would also work well for picnics and parties.
Dimensions: 8 x 5ft, Materials: Polyester, wood, stainless steel, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 59kg, Colours: Beige
Kingfisher Marquee Party Tent Gazebo 3m x 6m
- Kingfisher Marquee Party Tent Gazebo 3m x 6m, £89.99 from Garden Chic - buy here
For bigger garden parties that need serious event space, this 3m by 6m gazebo is just the ticket.
The sturdy side panels with windows will keep things cosy inside and offer extra privacy from prying neighbourly eyes, plus it'll shield from the wind and rain all year round.
The steel frame is sturdy and the price includes rope and stakes to make sure the tent is secure, stable and won't blow away in unpredictable conditions.
The steel frame is also rust and corrosion-resistant, so it should stand the test of time throughout all seasons.
Two of the PVC walls are removable, with zippered doors, which is handy if the weather heats up.
For big garden events like wedding receptions or baby showers, this well-priced design is a winner.
Dimensions: 600 x 300 x 267cm, Materials: Steel, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 19.1kg, Colours: White
KEXMY Garden Classics Horwood Pop-up Gazebo
- KEXMY Garden Classics Horwood gazebo, £159.95 from Amazon - buy here
This pop-up gazebo measures 3.1 metres from the front to the back, so it's a decent-sized space to entertain guests, plus it's big enough to shelter a large hot tub.
Despite its elaborate look with a pointed roof, the setup of this gazebo takes just minutes as the steel frame folds out like an umbrella. Fans of the product say it can be taken down and stored easily too, folding down to a compact size.
The cover is water-resistant polyester and it comes with curtains and additional zippable nets, to keep bugs at bay during summer evenings.
Dimensions: 3.6 x 3m, Materials: Metal, alloy steel, unknown fabric, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 20kg, Colours: Grey
Decathlon Quechua Arpenaz 1P Camping Shelter
- Quechua Arpenaz 1P Camping Shelter, £16.99 from Decathlon - buy here
Who said kids had to miss out on this festival season on the gazebo fun? This cheap and cheerful gazebo-cum-camping-shelter is a bargain at under £17 from Decathlon, offering the chance for two children (or one adult) to stay sheltered from the sun or light wind and rain - and insulation from the ground.
Great for use in the garden, on the beach or at your next festival, this shelter offers a reprieve for the kids while the adults are drinking, chatting or barbecuing under a larger gazebo, meaning they don't miss out.
The shelter is free-standing and easily set up with just two poles; it folds compactly into a small backpack for easy transportation, and it protects from light rain and harmful UV rays, providing sun protection of UPF 50+.
Dimensions: 150 x 130 x 110cm, Materials: Polyester, polyethylene, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 1.1kg, Colours: Blue
Coleman Gazebo Event Shelter Pro XL
- Coleman Gazebo Event Shelter Pro XL, £226.97 from Amazon - buy here
The Coleman Event Shelter Pro XL is here for all of your summer party, festival or camping needs.
Bound to be the star of the show, this giant gazebo offers a whopping 20m² of space (measuring about 15 x 15ft) - which is more than enough room for your speakers, barbecue, drinks cooler, and camping chairs.
While in use, you can choose to leave the futuristic-like design open to the elements, or you can purchase optional sun walls for extra protection and cosiness.
The sleek white and green design offers protection from harmful UV rays, up to SPF 50, and is fully waterproof - with tapered seams to keep you dry.
Dimensions: 15 x 15ft, Materials: Steel, polyester, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 22kg, Colours: White
The Range Pavilion Aluminium Gazebo
- Pavilion Aluminium Gazebo, £799.99 from The Range - buy here
You'd be forgiven for mistaking your back garden for a Greek or Italian pavilion this summer with this sumptuous gazebo - available from The Range.
Ideal for hosting summer parties, barbecues, shading your hot tub from the sun, or just lounging around on sunbeds and plushy chairs, this sturdy gazebo will become your new summer BFF.
Made from a durable material to withstand light wind, as well as protect you from the sun and rain - this option also comes with handy mosquito nets to make sure any nasties buzz off and don't ruin your summer fun.
It's not the cheapest option on the list, but definitely one of the better looking - and it's currently on sale for £100 less this summer.
Dimensions: 2.6 x 3 x 3m, Materials: Aluminium, polyester Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 48.42kg, Colours: Beige
Large Pop Up Pink Gazebo
- Large Pop Up Pink Gazebo, £109.99 from Very - buy here
Come on Barbie, let's go party... under the hot pink gazebo!
This summer, why not embrace being pretty in pink with this hot pink option from Very.
Easy and quick to assemble, this shower-proof polyester gazebo will bring some spice (girls) to your next summer party or BBQ.
There's no need for tools for this one either, and it is easy to pop up and down when the rains and wind inevitably come...
For under £100, we think it's a beautiful-looking bargain.
Dimensions: 250 x 258 x 250cm, Materials: Metal, polyester, Assembly: Pop up, Weight: Unknown, Colours: Pink and green
Ankuka Sun Shade Sail
- Ankuka Sun Shade Sail, from £24.37 from Amazon - buy here
Set sail to the garden this summer with a gazebo with a difference. This sun shade sail-like gazebo, available from Amazon, is so simple and minimalist - yet so stylish.
Made from high-density polyester, with a waterproof coating, shade yourself from sun and rain all summer long - thanks to its double-edged sewed sides and UV ray protection coating.
It's simple to install with rope, and stainless steel D-rings give it full stability and durability through the British summertime (it's not recommended to use in high wind or rains though).
Dimensions: 2m x 3m, Materials: steel, polyester, Assembly: N/A, Weight: 1.17kg, Colours: beige, brown, black, grey, green, light orange, mango, navy blue, rust red and sand
Groupon LED Gazebo Minzo
- LED Gazebo Minzo, £309.90 from Groupon - buy here
Last but certainly not least is this twinkling option - available in four different colours - on sale on the discounts site Groupon.
This is bound not to last long, so you best act fast to snap it up - and why miss out? This gazebo comes with built-in LED lights to really set the mood on hot and heavy summer nights.
Its sidewalls can be tied or pulled across to offer protection from the sun, light rain or wind - or even invite some intimacy, thanks to its UV protection and water-repellant frame.
Dimensions: 3 x 4m, Materials: Metal, polyester, Assembly: Assembly required, Weight: 32kg, Colours: Creme, brown, anthracite, and red
What is the best brand of gazebo?
The best brand of gazebo will depend on what you're using it for.
High street retailers such as Argos are good if you're looking for a good quality, well-priced model.
There are also many lesser-known brands with good ratings and reviews on Amazon, which can be a good option if you're looking for reliable, tried and tested products.
What is the best heavy-duty gazebo?
The best heavy-duty gazebo will be a permanent one made out of wood or metal.
Lighter, pop-up gazebos can last for a few years but they have to be weighed down, and may also become easily ripped and damaged when you're putting them up or folding them away.
A permanent, fixed gazebo won't move and will ensure your chosen area stays dry and safe, although it may need more care to keep it in top shape for years to come.
What is the easiest gazebo to put up?
The easiest gazebo to put up will be a pop-up one.
Some will open out with no assembly required — they do need to be weighed down to save from blowing away in windier conditions, though.
You can also get metal framed ones that fold out but they're heavier and will need two or three people to set up.
How to build a gazebo
Gazebos come in all shapes and sizes, with each having its own specific sets of instructions.
Usually, though, gazebos will need at least two people to help set them up. Pop-up ones are definitely easier to build, often having a similar opening and closing system to an umbrella.
We recommend starting by building the (often steel) frames for the roof first, then moving onto the legs, which often extend with a knob or screw.
Then, place the roof on top of the legs and extend all the legs, with the roof in place, to your most suitable height.
How to secure a gazebo from wind
Most gazebos come with weight bags, ropes or stakes to keep them strong and secure in windy conditions. Make sure to do this, as the brand is unlikely to refund you if it blows away after being badly secured.
Often, gazebo legs have 'feet' with holes in to secure a stake through. Ropes hook from the stakes, up through the fabric covers and to the roof, keeping even the walls in place.
We recommend putting your gazebo on flat, sturdy ground that won't flood and sink.
Do I need planning permission for a gazebo?
Generally, you don't need planning permission for a gazebo in the UK, if it's temporary (often erected for less than a month) and no larger than around 2-2.5m in height.
You aren't allowed to erect a gazebo at the front of your house according to your Permitted Development Rights - so it'll have to be in your back garden or yard.
However, if you live in a protected area, or are planning to build a large gazebo structure that is heavy-duty, you will likely need planning permission from your local council.
If you're unsure, we would recommend getting in touch with your local council representative.
Is a gazebo worth it?
A gazebo is a good investment if you want to spend time in the garden come rain or shine, and a well-made one can last for years.
If you're prone to sunburn or don't like the heat, it'll provide you with shade. And if the weather turns, some will also protect you from the rain.
Plus, if you get one with mesh sides, you can dine al fresco without worrying about pesky bugs interrupting.
Just bear in mind that you'll need to have a fair bit of space in your garden and somewhere to store it when not in use.
