Plus, it can sometimes be difficult to find complimentary items of the right size when sold separately, so it’s reassuring to know that the weights and cover will fit together from the get go, without wasting time shopping around. Although not waterproof, this parasol is water resistant and protects from the odd drizzle – well suited to the British summertime when you’re never quite sure where the next shower will come from. Ventilation: If possible, choose a canopy with ventilation so as to help air move around on hot days, and to allow air to flow freely when it’s windy. The problem is, that just because you’re in the shade, doesn’t necessarily mean you’re protected from the sun’s harmful UV rays. Thanks to the crank system, it can be put up and down without too much fuss and is easy to adjust depending on the current weather.

With four different colours to choose from, including beige and orange, there are options available for both the understated, modern garden and those with livelier themes. In fact, with colours like dark blue on offer as well, it’s even possible to tailor the canopy to match the colours of the flowers in the garden. In smaller gardens with less space available, having a parasol with a large footprint can be really limiting. That’s why the Norfolk Leisure Wall Mounted Parasol is a great choice for small spaces; with no base or pole to get in the way, this parasol neatly mounts on any wall, ingeniously providing shade without taking up floor space. Pole material: There are a range of pole materials from which to choose, including FSC wood, which is eco-friendly but needs to be treated every year; durable and rust-free aluminium, and steel, which is often powder-coated for scratch resistance. 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. Lastly, if you’re interested in having a parasol with an added ‘wow’ factor, you may want to look out for one with features like lights inside the canopy. This can create a really special ambiance and can be a great way to make use of your parasol even when night draws in. You can also put lights inside the parasol yourself.The polyester fabric is relatively water resistant, so during light showers it should offer adequate protection – this is particularly useful if the garden parasol is being used to cover outdoor dining tables, bearing in mind the UK’s changeable summer climate. Whether you’re having a family gathering in the daytime, or friends over for an evening soiree, the Greenbay Cantilever Parasol with Solar LED Lights is the perfect accompaniment to the party – just as useful in the night-time as it is in the day, its 3 x 3 m canopy is fitted with 32 LED lights. When a parasol’s canopy does not have UV protection, the sun’s rays could still be harming your skin through the umbrella. Making sure that the cantilever parasol you are thinking about buying has UPF protection is important. It’s something to look out for especially if you sit outside a lot or have young children. One thing to bear in mind is the size of the base with weights: at 100 x 100 cm it might be a little large for some spaces, especially if required to fit around patio furniture, so it’s worth taking measurements before purchasing, especially if you’re working with a smaller space.

The Greenbay 3m Banana Parasol requires limited assembly and can easily be put up or down depending on the weather. It’s an inexpensive option that offers great value for money. Made from powder-coated aluminium, the frame is lightweight, rust-resistant and robust. Plus, with eight ribs to support the canopy itself, it’s strong too.These items can be bought separately, or, if you buy your parasol as part of a ‘set’, like the Jarder Libra Parasol Set, you’ll get them all together. Featuring six heights and angles to choose from, this cantilever parasol is also one of the most versatile on this list. Able to create coverage from the sun no matter the time of day, the 360° rotation also means that the large 3 x 3 m canopy can be turned to cover a large majority of the garden. It’s one of the best cantilever parasols for those on a budget, coming up a lot cheaper than the majority of garden parasols out there. It may not be quite as sturdy as some, but it’s good value for the price.

Whether it’s raining or 35°C blazing sun outside, Purple Leaf have created a garden parasol that will protect from both extremes. The 240 g polyester canopy is water repellent as well as UV resistant – water will run off instead of seeping through and the colour won’t fade over time. Sitting under a garden parasol doesn’t guarantee sun protection unless it has a specific UPF rating like the CHRISTOW 3m Cantilever Umbrella.Cantilever parasols work in a similar way to normal centre-post umbrellas, only the base sits to the side of the umbrella rather than the centre. This means that the parasol can cover a large area, such as a garden sofaor furniture set, without the post getting in the way. Many models can also be tilted to an angle, keeping you in the shade all day long. They have a multitude of uses: providing shade over picnic tables, sun loungers or even paddling pools for the little ones.