The best garden pods to buy in the UK

Super chic and perfect for lounging, dining, and cosying up, garden pods are a near-instant way to gain invaluable extra living space and enjoy time in your garden too. Rounded and mostly made from tinted but transparent polycarbonate, these striking beauties are happy to take centre stage so you can relax inside. If you want to uplevel your best garden furniture, these pods will help you to stay sheltered from the elements while enjoying a 360-degree view of your gorgeous garden.

From snug dens to more generous oval designs to fit a party of 12, garden pods come in many sizes. The average pod takes up no more room than a typical circular patio table and chairs set. Also, being largely transparent, they can sit comfortably in the smallest of plots.

Black Friday deals on garden pods

We interrupt the regularly scheduled content to let you know that although Black Friday is over, there's still time to grab some last chance Black Friday deals on garden pods. These are the retailers that still have deals available or keep scrolling to continue reading our buyer’s guide.

Shop the best Black Friday garden pod deals: Cuckooland | Lime Lace | Amazon UK

Save £1,104: Garden Pod - The Rotating Lounger WAS £10,599, NOW £9,495
£2,000 off: Summerhouse Garden Pod - Medium WAS £20,995, NOW £18,995
Save £2,000: Summerhouse Garden Pod WAS £18,995, NOW £16,995
£500 off: The Wheel Bench Garden Shelter WAS £3,999, NOW £3,499

Because they don’t need to be put in a corner like your best outdoor sofa or banished to the end of your garden, there’s much more versatility when it comes to positioning it. They’re quicker, cheaper, and less hassle than building an extension, offering an easy solution to gain extra living space.

So without further ado, let's take a look at the best garden pods to uplevel your garden and create the ultimate hosting space for your guests.

Best garden pods at a glance

• Best garden pod for flexible living space: Farmer’s Cottage Oval Garden Pod - view offer on John Lewis
• Best garden pod for rotating design: Luxury Rotating Lounger Garden Pod - view offer on Cuckoo Land
• Best garden pod for extra living space: Large Oval House - view offer on Lime Lace
• Best garden pod for safe and secure: The Grande Deluxe Chic - view offer on John Lewis

Best garden pods for your outdoor space

Budget alternatives to garden pods: summer houses

What are garden pods?

The distinct, rounded shape of garden pods makes them a stunning feature in any outside space. Also, with their pronounced timber ribs and futuristic covering of stainless steel and curved acrylic, they are impossible to ignore. Inside they provide a cosy and intimate spot where you can sit and, thanks to the glazed walls, enjoy an uninterrupted view.

These alfresco escapes come fully equipped with heating, lighting, and optional USB points, so they make a useful garden office as well as a quiet area to chill. Far more stylish than the average shed or garden studio, these gems also make the perfect place to gather with friends. Finally, most feature curved built-in seating with a central table that can be removed or lowered to create a flat lounging area.

Things to consider when choosing garden pods

Perfectly formed garden structures

Garden pods come either as neat spheres or roomier oval designs. Smaller, round models will seat up to six or seven people around a central table and start at around £7,000. They have an enclosed but transparent polycarbonate and stainless-steel shell, usually with a 60- to 90-degree opening for easy access.

Some of the compact models have no closing door. Instead, they often have a small overhanging canopy that sits above the door and provides some protection from the occasional shower. To enclose them, an outer canopy cover clips over the front and features a full-length zip for access.

Rotating garden rooms

Some spherical designs sit on a rotating base, which is great when you fancy a change of scene, wish to escape the sun or a chilly breeze or just want to wow your garden guests. Rotating pods tend to seat around seven to eight people. Manually operated, they’re designed to turn 360 degrees by simply pushing on the external timber ribs.

Room for more

The larger pods are oval in shape and, due to their extra weight, are static. With enough space for up to 12 people, they feel super luxurious and add a real sense of occasion to any get-together. They also command more attention in the garden too. In addition, they are available with closing doors. You can choose from conventional bifold, French-style doors or curved panels that slide neatly up and over the pod’s outer shell.

No-fuss features

As a large proportion of the pod’s shell is designed to be seen through, but also beautifully curved, high quality UV-protected polycarbonate or acrylic sheets. Tough and fully waterproof, the windows seamlessly flow around the curvy shape without the need for unnecessary joins.

Choose either clear or bronze-tinted glazing, which will reduce the glare from the sun and add to the futuristic vibe. A stainless-steel roof helps to control the temperature by reflecting heat, while stainless-steel louvres above and below each window offer cooling ventilation. The temperature can be further controlled by warm air heaters and side-opening windows, available as upgrades on some models.

Simple installation

A level paved patio or area of concrete is the perfect base for a garden pod. It will need to be around 30cm deep and roughly 60cm wider on all sides than the base of the pod. Finally, do read the small print on the manufacturer’s product specifications as the base measurements of each design vary.

Then with all the groundwork in place, installing your garden pod is speedy, usually taking around four to five hours to complete, depending on its size and spec.

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Jill Morgan writes regularly for Modern Gardens, and loves everything to do with gardens, plants and outdoor living. Her long thin, town garden is the setting for many family and creative projects from bird feeding and veggie growing to den building and mini-pond dipping.