Garden Hammocks

A garden hammock works two ways: traditional rope or fabric strung between two trees or posts, or a frame-and-stand model that needs no anchor points. The free-standing frame option costs £40-£200 more than rope-only but suits gardens without two suitably spaced trees, which most are. Capacity-wise, single hammocks fit one person comfortably (90-120cm wide); double hammocks (140-160cm) fit two adults or one adult and a child. Aosom UK, Cheaper-Online.co.uk and Cherry Lane Garden Centres between them cover £13-£459. Fabric choice: cotton-canvas is the comfortable summer pick but absorbs rain; weatherproof polyester or polypropylene survives outdoor storage; mesh hammocks dry fast but feel less plush. Look for steel frames over wooden frames if the hammock will live outdoors year-round; wooden stands need annual treatment to last. Spreader bars (the wooden bar at each end) prevent the hammock cocooning around you; some prefer the cocoon, some don't.