Anyone got a garden parasol that is not crap?

[Firesidefox]

We need a new one and I'm looking for recommendations. We've previously had cheap ones and very expensive ones, and all have been crap. I was looking at a slightly expensive one on John Lewis that GH recommended but then the reviews on JL online said it was crap.

I'd be very grateful if anyone could recommend one please as I'm in a googling black hole.

TIA

Can't help, sorry; we tried several, like you, and they kept blowing over and getting torn or going mouldy or whatever. We ended up getting a summerhouse!

Thanks @FreezyFreezy It's ridiculous how hard it is to find a decent one!

We've got this one from Homebase

www.homebase.co.uk/parasol-3m-overhanging-natural-dia.-48mm/12888570.html

Can't comment re longevity of it as only bought it this summer but it's easy to put up as you just turn the handle.
It's huge though and when down, it does resemble a phone mast 😂

Yes! Ours is Robert Dyas own brand and it’s surprisingly sturdy!

Got ours from Dobbies about £150 I think but that was at the height of the pandemic, I think the prices are a bit more sensible now

I need one too. Same problems. Last year I bought a cantilever one but the base is ginormous and ugly and you can't easily move the thing so I sit baking in the sun, waiting for the shade to be in the right place!

I'm afraid I can't help, every garden parasol I've bought, cheap or pricy, has been shite and short lived.
Thinking of getting a pull out awning to attach to the wall...

we've got a bramblecrest one
now in year 4 ? I can't remember how much it cost but it's huge
we are very careful with it though and only put it up when we are sitting outside- have learned the hard way.

We've got this one from Wayfair (there's loads on there at all budgets), seems really good so far but we only got it this year so not sure how long it's going to last. We fold it down and keep it in the shed unless we're actually sitting out though and just leave the base out on the patio. We've got it running through the middle of our garden table too which obviously makes stability less of a worry.

www.wayfair.co.uk/garden/pdp/freeport-park-cyr-2m-square-traditional-parasol-u003904747.html?csnid=1373E873-C026-425D-BA10-37EA1DC559A8&_emr=456343a6-7335-4a8d-96d5-d3ba40a18d74&wfcs=cs4&_eml=ae5134fd-b95b-40e5-a480-19c92b90d58b&refid=EML_43137&source=graymatter&treatmentGuid=22b9b10f-d80a-43db-9264-53887b4f2f2a

I have three 2.5m ones, two with wooden poles and one lightweight, had them for years but none were expensive and are kept in the garage through winter.
Both the wooden ones have one arm broken which looks a bit shit but means I can move them closer to the surrounding walls. Really heavy cast iron bases and a bungee cord to keep them from lifting in the wind and move them around the patio as required.

East London parasol company… gorgeous but very expensive. Worth a look just to admire them!

We have two: one which goes through the hole in a table which we have had for years (similar to the wayfair one that a PP has posted a link to) and a cantilever one which I bought a month or so ago to replace a similar one that was a few years old and had broken.

www.costway.co.uk/3m-outdoor-parasol-patio-cantilever-umbrella-with-solar-lights.html

I'm very pleased with it so far. This one is better than our old cantilever one (which was similar to the Homebase one a PP has linked to). The triangle style looks a bit weird I think, but seems to make it a lot more stable in terms of positioning the actual sunshade bit. I also find it easier to put up (I'm only 5'2 and used to find the old one difficult). I like having the solar lights and it came with its own cover, which is a more manageable size than our old one was

How robust it will be remains to be seen, of course. Bear in mind that any of the cantilever ones need a very heavy base.

We have bought both a 'normal' and cantilever one from Asda George. Surprisingly good quality for the money.

Yes. A huge cantilever one from John Lewis.

it stays in place with giant plant pots and bags of compost but it's now year 4 and doing well. You can press on a lever to swivel it round but we mostly just put it up or down

www.gardenfurnitureworld.co.uk/gardenfurnitureworld/product.asp?pid=PW30-928

We got this one last year and have been really pleased with it. It's 10% off at the moment but looks as though stocks are low. No fading or buckling and a lovely smooth winding mechanism.

www.therange.co.uk/outdoor-living/gazebos-parasols-and-awnings/parasols-and-parasol-bases/parasols/crank-and-tilt-parasol/

This one has been so much better. Heavy base required.

I got one from Dunelm. It's brilliant. Think it was about £150 and it's on its third summer, still looking good and working well.

I was googling just now to try & see if I could find a normal, everyday garden umbrella - seems not! In our 70s and living in the Scottish Highlands purchasing a garden umbrella to keep the sun off has never been high on our list but last year, we decided to take the plunge & himself ordered a (not cheap) cantilever contraption from Amazon (Amazon is our friend as we can't get deliveries from the mainland from other companies).
It's never been any use. Swings around in the breeze (it's always windy where we are) and falls over, despite heavy bricks etc to the base. Because I can't manage the mechanics of the damned thing, I have to move my chair round to catch the shade.
Today, we had the umbrella up for the third time this year but it gave up the those and fell over. Can't be bothered resuscitating it!
Like another poster, I'm wondering about an awning on the wall outside...

Missing the point here but @Louizalass Your view! I think your parasol has just fainted at the very sight

We found the best way to keep it secure was to put at least 3 bags of compost on it, with giant plant pots over the top. It helps that it's half hidden in a flower bed.

That's a good idea!

Thank you, yes we are very lucky 😊

We got a lovely one from wayfair it's great. X

We got a garden parasol that we love from Plia Parasols. Pricey but has a guarantee that covers replacement parts if something breaks!