The August bank holiday is fast approaching, bringing with it the excitement of summer festivals. Why not capture the festival spirit by hosting your own garden party? With the right decorations, food, and music, you can create a memorable weekend for friends and family. Get ready to immerse yourself in the festival vibe as the British Garden Centres team shares our top tips for throwing a fantastic homegrown festival party.
Shade and social spaces
A quintessential British festival experience involves pitching a tent and sleeping under the stars. Why not recreate this magic in your own garden if the weather permits? Gazebos are a festival staple and offer essential shade for guests and refreshments. Our outdoor living range of gazebos and parasols is this summer’s must-have for creating a relaxed atmosphere. Complete the look with cosy blankets and cushions, transforming your lawn into a sociable hub for mingling and enjoying the festivities.
Festival Fern Living vibes
To create a truly awe-inspiring festival atmosphere, use your garden furniture to define different zones for your party. Experiment with bright cushions, blankets, and beanbags to create distinct areas. The Fern Living Thornton Rectangular with Fire Pit set are perfect for group dining or casual gatherings
A luxurious set like the Fern Living Ennerdale Lounge is ideal for a relaxed, laid-back feel. A flower wall can be a stunning backdrop for photos, especially when paired with a cosy sofa like the Fern Living Everley Sofa. As the day winds down, unwind in a swinging egg chair like the Fern Living Derwent Egg Chair and let the gentle sway lull you into relaxation.
Feast and fun
Festivals are renowned for their mouthwatering food stalls and tantalising aromas. Recreate this experience at home with our wide range of big-brand barbecues, perfect for grilling classic festival fare like hot dogs, ribs, chicken, burgers, and refreshing salads. Want to channel your inner festival chef and create a buzz in your garden? The Thornton BBQ Bar from our new Fern Living range is your ultimate outdoor kitchen. Its U-shaped design accommodates a variety of BBQs, transforming your garden into a culinary hub perfect for entertaining friends and family. Imagine the sizzling sounds and mouth-watering aromas as you whip up a feast worthy of any festival food stall.
Pizza is also a festival favourite, and our outdoor gas pizza ovens are a fantastic way to get guests involved. Let them choose their toppings and watch as their custom pizza is cooked to perfection. Keep everyone hydrated with a stylish ice-filled wheelbarrow or trug stocked with beer, cider, and a selection of mixers like cola, lemonade, and fruit juices.
Festival nighttime retreat
Capture the magic of a festival evening with a cosy fire pit from our outdoor range. Imagine gathering around a crackling flame with friends and family on a cool summer night. If space is limited, a chiminea offers a similar ambience.
Festival decor
Inject a vibrant festival spirit into your garden with a splash of colour. Bunting, an iconic festival accessory, instantly transforms any outdoor space. Drape it from pergolas, trees, or fences for a playful touch. Unleash your creativity by crafting your bunting from paper, fabric scraps, or even old bedsheets to match your festival theme.
Complete the look with cheerful, summer-inspired tableware and outdoor rugs that are both stylish and practical. For a natural centrepiece, fill some of our containers and vases with fresh blooms. To enhance relaxation, incorporate outdoor bean bags into your seating arrangement. These versatile and comfortable additions provide the perfect spot for guests to unwind and socialise, creating a truly inviting festival atmosphere.
Festival fun and games
Entertainment is the lifeblood of any festival, and your garden party should be no exception. Create an electric atmosphere with a carefully curated playlist featuring your favourite festival anthems. To add an interactive element, incorporate classic outdoor games like Hoopla, Hook a Duck, and Jenga. These timeless activities will keep guests entertained and engaged. With a little planning and inspiration from British Garden Centres, you can create a garden party that rivals any festival.
British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 65 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by The Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
BGC was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018 it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now with 65 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.
The group has a team of 2,700 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.
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