Logistics when you have a garden but live in the top floor maisonette?

[BackinLondon2019]

We moved a couple of months ago to an incredible top floor maisonette (floors 2 & 3); we have a large very pretty, mature private garden but, obviously, this is on the ground floor and to reach it we have four flights of steps (Georgian building so really high ceilings). I'm looking forward to the warm weather and bbq-ing on the garden, sunbathing, even working from there but the thought of having to bring every single drink, glass, food etc etc down all the stairs is not something I'm looking forward too!

So, I'm after tips on how to make this work. I've thought so far of storing in the garden paper plates etc, as well as a bottle of wine /soft drinks and somewhere to put ice so I don't have to bring down everything in a daily basis.... Any other ideas or suggestions would be appreciated. Thank you!

Is it a shared garden?

Insulated picnic basket?

You need a role pulley system from a window to the ground. Basket?

rope

Just get a shed

I would strongly recommend a water butt.

I store things in my shed and greenhouse. And am eyeing up potting sheds.

Shed or some kind of seat with storage underneath? Cool bag to take drinks and snacks down in, or keep your drinks in the freezer and take down to slowly defrost in the sun.

Yes - shed and/or storage box for things - not necessarily paper plates but a selection of outdoor/plastic cutlery and plates that you can just keep outside.

In terms of drinks - get something like this table that you can keep a whole load in for an evening, bringing them down in a big shopping bag with a bag of ice.

Also, a decent quality cool box that you can put your BBQ stuff in then leave it in a shady spot in the garden.

A water butt is a great idea for those summer months of watering.

Just a word of warning - flats don't have the same permitted development rights as houses so you would need planning permission for any sheds, greenhouses etc.

if you have things like electric and drainage in the garden then a little shed with a sink/fridge etc to keep that sort of thing in, as well as things like extra blankets/sweater/suncream/mini first aid kit.
Also check that your wifi reaches - maybe get a wifi extender.

Wow thank you all for the great ideas!! Yes it's a private garden :).

Love that cool table, ordering right now. Unfortunately there's no electrics but I'm planning on solar powered lights etc. And a shed would be ideal but it would require planning permission unfortunate and we're renting.

Never thought of a rope system... worth investigating! Will also look into a water butt will get a proper cool box for food to last the day as well as somewhere to store tableware etc.

Thank you again, this is so useful.

I would get a big plastic storage box like this https://www.diy.com/departments/keter-springwood-plastic-garden-storage-box/7290106930292_BQ.prd and keep cushions etc in it. You need to make sure the lid fits properly or you'll get snails in there.

I have solar lighting in my garden - you don't need power

Thank you Clymene. May I ask which solar lighting you have in your garden and can recommend?