We personally find a push-fit pole assembly slightly easier to operate than this screw-fit design, but considering the features this parasol delivers at a great value price point, it's a preference we're more than happy to overlook.

Parasol base: There are several types of parasol bases, the most common of which is plastic. Plastic bases are hollow and designed to be filled with water and sand to anchor the parasol. Other parasol bases may be made of materials like cast iron, concrete, granite or resin. The weight and sturdiness of the base is an important consideration, especially if your parasol is being used somewhere windy. The most effective bases have feet in the shape of an ‘X’, like a café table. These are anchored by weights or paving slabs, and work particularly well with large, upright parasols and cantilever designs. Ian has worked for Hayes since leaving school, spending the majority of this time in the outdoor furniture department and like Keith has an in-depth knowledge of Hayes customers. He also has the same ethos at heart when buying garden furniture; will it be an acceptable price and quality? He also takes into account the changing fashions and environmental considerations, such as using recycled materials, being recyclable at the end of its life and is the timber sourced from forests which have a re-planting policy. Our garden parasols are chosen carefully by our furniture buyers, Keith Laird and Ian Hodgett, who have over 50 years’ experience in the outdoor leisure sector, and travel extensively to source only the very best quality parasols. The parasols are sourced from the most respected suppliers both here in the UK and Europe. Hayes have been trading over 200 years, all the while maintaining the very best standards in the industry, so you can be assured you can buy with complete confidence in the quality of the goods and receive a high professional standard of service. The range of parasols are such that there is sure to be one to suit every taste, budget and situation.

Garden

Wooden poles offer a natural and elegant look, blending well with a quintessential English garden surroundings. However, they may require more maintenance and care to prevent weather damage. Opening system: Opening and closing the canopy should be easy, as the parasol’s push-up or pulley mechanism should do the hard work for you. However, if the canopy is large or you have reduced mobility, consider a winch with a crank handle. Sail - a simple way to create shade in the garden by hanging a fabric sail from walls, poles, fences and trees. Great for small plots, but can become troublesome if not fastened properly. Even better, buy a specially designed cover to use when your umbrella goes into storage to give it the best possible protection.

A cantilever parasol suits a large garden and can be adjusted to follow the sun quite easily without having to move the base. They sit at the side of your furniture so the downside is that they need a heavy base to counterbalance the canopy which sits underneath an arm. As these are the most versatile, they are our best-selling parasols. The wall mounted parasols are ideal if ground space is limited and obviously once they are fixed to the wall they are not easily moved so consider carefully before you finally commit to their position. One downside is you will have to leave your garden furniture in a permanent position. Once you have the parasol in the right position, they will swivel from side to side to give you the best possible coverage. The UV protection rating is lower than the top choice on our list, offering a UV30+ rating rather than Kettler's 50+, and unlike the Kettler patio umbrella this option doesn't claim to be showerproof. A parasol can further enhance your existing garden furniture by providing shelter from the rain and sun. With generous sizes available of almost 3m, and a wide choice of colours and styles, a Parasol can also revitalise a tired looking furniture set. My table doesn't have a Parasol Hole - What Can I Do? Shape: Available in a variety of shapes, rectangular parasols are the best option if you’re looking to create the largest area of shade, while square parasols cover a larger area than an octagonal version of the same size. If you want your garden parasol to work a little harder than the average patio umbrella, then this option is equipped to deliver with 32 LED lights dotted along its spokes. Powered by a compact solar panel that screws into the top of the parasol pole, the gentle illumination is perfect for adding some magic to a balmy summer evening with a generous 6-8 hours worth of illumination on offer.

The best garden parasols you can buy in 2023

If you only want a parasol to shade a lounger then it won’t need huge dimensions, but if it’s to shade a dining set, think about opting for a design with a diameter of 2 metres for two seats; 2.4 metres for four to six seats; 2.7 to 3 metres for six to eight; and 4 metres for 10 seats. Cantilever - a parasol where the pole stands off to one side, and the canopy is suspended from a long beam. This frees up floor space and keeps the parasol’s support pole out of the way, so people can talk without an obstructive pole between them. However, cantilever parasols are more susceptible to falling down in high winds.