When we think about cooking alfresco, barbecues (BBQ) must be the first thing that comes to mind, where family and friends relax around a grill awaiting finger-licking good flame-grilled food. Barbecue aficionados just wait for the summer to organize an outdoor entertaining event by cooking outside and inviting friends over for a beer. Barbecue is a soulful and humble foodstuff that often evokes in us a sense of community.

Outdoor kitchens are in great popularity among enthusiasts of cooking alfresco. In order to entertain friends with great food and lots of memories, your outdoor kitchen needs to be equipped with a good quality integrated BBQ. There are numerous barbecue grills available that suit all price ranges and requirements. Investing in an excellent BBQ with a big grill is worthwhile for creating enhanced gastronomic outcomes. A gas barbecue or masonry barbecue are good options that you can consider and below are some of their features and advantages.

Masonry Barbecue – More Than Just A BBQ

A masonry barbecue is best suited for those for whom alfresco cooking is a way of life. Usually constructed from stone, bricks or any other first-rate raw materials, masonry barbecues are robust and durable. Both charcoal and wood can be used in the fireplace to create excellent smoked or grilled food. A masonry bbq by its design and structure can become a permanent garden fixture, even though it is moveable and detachable. Considered as a long-standing and dependable barbecue, the masonry variation can be placed as the hub of your garden or can even be treated as a second kitchen. The waterproof and windproof characteristics of masonry barbecues are added advantages and they can also be used as an outdoor heater. Since these bbqs come equipped with sufficient countertop space for preparation, the master chef can enjoy a contented cooking experience. A laid back, fun and social approach to cooking can be aptly met with nice masonry barbecue equipment.

Gas Barbecue – More Convenient Option

This relatively new barbecue version is getting increasing popularity in the barbecue world. Barbecue fanatics often argue on the best choice bbq and never reach a conclusion on whether charcoal or gas bbq is the best. Both charcoal and gas barbecues have their own pros and cons and hence the choice should depend on your taste and budget preference. Masonry barbecue campaigners using charcoal as fuel argue that charcoal burning lends a distinctive taste to the cooked meat. But a gas barbecue will certainly win over the convenience and easy to clean aspects. This relatively cheap bbq equipment can be ignited at the simple touch of a button, to start cooking in seconds. You can even control temperature with a dial and for longer periods of time, which is not possible with a charcoal bbq. Cleaning up is also easy since there is no messy smoke residue.

Before investing on a masonry or gas barbecue, it is prudent to contemplate your options and personal preferences.

UK Water Features has a wide range of barbecues and barbecue accessories for all your outdoor grilling needs.

Are you looking to bring a little structure to your garden this spring? There are many ways of sprucing up the look of your private garden but it must be done with a lot of care and detailed planning.

You can start off with a wooden garden arch to add a touch of rustic charm to your garden. They can also be used to create a pathway between two areas of your garden you want to demarcate. Garden arches made of top quality timber will give you a feature that will last for years to come.

Garden swing seats of various shapes and designs are also great garden accessories to give your garden that dramatic change in looks. You must remember that buying hand crafted seats or swing seats takes time and consideration so don’t rush into the job. You must have a closer look at the shape for it is important to feel absolutely comfortable and relaxed. After all that is the reason why you are looking to invest in exclusive garden furniture.

Another great way to make your garden look graceful and attractive is to add a garden pergola. They can be a useful way to add structure to your garden. More often than not, these pergolas capture the attention of visitors for their beauty and style. It can be a natural focus point of your garden and can be used either as a decorative material for screens or to support climbing plants.

There are other ways of bringing a little structure to your garden this spring. A wooden planter will not only help you create a bed to grow your favourite plants but will also enhance the looks of your garden space significantly. They can fit in any corner and comes in a variety of sizes and shapes. Most of them are made of pressure treated wood and are hence durable and fit to endure rough climes and conditions.

You can protect the wood by lining the inside of the planters with plastic and securing it in place with small nails. Don’t forget to make provisions for adequate drainage before filling it with soil and compost.

A garden arbour is another fantastic way to enhance the aesthetic appearance of your garden. Arbors can draw immediate and admiring attention from visitors to your place. They allow creepers and vines to gradually wrap around them, creating a look that can improve the look of your garden by several notches.

You can consult landscaping or gardening experts to get more input if you want to bring a little structure to your garden this spring. 

UK Water Features offers more than just water features with a wide range of garden ornaments, barbecues, garden furniture, garden lighting, wild bird feed and electronic pest control products.  

Water features can be a fantastic addition to any garden in order to enhance the general look feel, however they are also widely used across the globe to enhance much larger areas to create a visual spectacle where people are genuinely excited about the feature and will travel hundreds if not thousands of miles to see. 

Plans are currently under way in Dubai where they plan on building the worlds largest water fountain. The fountains, will be built in order to produce a remarkable spectacle where the water will shoot over 150 metres into the air and stretch over 275 metres. Estimated cost for this sensational project will be around $218 million. Spending such a large amount of money to build such a feature that is 25 percent larger than the iconic fountains at the Bellagio hotel in Las Vegas actually has its perks. The Fountains will include an integral light and sound show and will certainly become one of Dubai's major tourist attractions drawing in well over 10 millions visitors every year. One thing for sure, this water feature is going to need some very large fountain pumps. 

Dubai really seems like a brilliant place to visit and spot some truly remarkable water features. Even while you are out shopping at the Dubai Mall there is a stunning water fountain inside the shopping center. The Waterfall comprises two cylindrical structures, 30 metres in diameter and 24 metres high, with an overhead reservoir feeding the recycled water. Well-lit in the night and reflecting sunlight by day. A choice of coffee shops and retail kiosks overlook The Waterfall, giving visitors a relaxing ambience to meet. Several palm trees are also set up to replicate the ambience of a desert oasis, and various in-mall activities will be held around The Waterfall to sustain visitor interest.

There is a stunning water feature that is a must see for anyone who plans a trip top Dubai, situated under the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa. The dancing fountains run daily every 30 minutes from 7pm and are set on a 30 acre manmade lake. Illuminated by 6,600 lights and 25 coloured projectors, it is 275 m (902 ft) long and shoots water 150 m (490 ft) into the air (equivalent to a 50-story building), accompanied by a range of classical to contemporary Arabic and world music. It cost over £180 million to build! 

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

There are so many different types of BBQs now a day that it can become a little bit of a choirs when it comes to deciding on which barbeque is the perfect one for your garden and grilling needs. This season we have seen a massive increase in the sales of gas bbq’s. Even though there are many people who prefer the more traditionalcharcoal bbq's there are actually several benefits to owning a gas barbeque. The gas generally lasts quite a long time, giving you plenty of juice for all your grilling needs and you don’t have to stack up with piles of coal. Due to their overall convenience a gas bib is very easy to light. There is really no messing around when it comes to lighting a gas bib. Another great benefit to owning a gas bib is that there is very little wait time. Compared to charcoal bib the wait time for the bib to get hot is far shorter. It is easy to regulate to heat. With coals, the heat is regulated by the amount of coals that are used, and how close the rack is that holds the coals in relation to what you are grilling. These factors usually have to be determined before you start grilling because it is difficult to impossible to adjust once you get going. But, with gas BBQ grills, the flame height can easily be adjusted with the turn of a knob, a higher flame to make the grill hotter or lower to reduce the heat. This also allows for more accurate grilling. On top of all that gas bib offers a great value for money!

Our top 5 selling gas bbq's this season

Adelaide Silverline Flat Bed BBQ (3 Burner)

• 3 Cast iron burners 4.3Kw each
• Each burner has its own independent control with variable heat settings offering maximum control
• Large wheels to move the BBQ around the garden
• Side shelves ideal for food preperation or storage
• Metal cover to protect the grilling area and drip tray for excess fat
• Metal grill and twin hot plate (These can be moved around as required)
• Push button piezo ignition
• Warming rack
• Serves 10-12 People

Adelaide Silverline Flat Bed BBQ (4 Burner)

• 4 Cast iron burners 4.3Kw each
• Each burner has its own independent control with variable heat settings offering maximum control
• Large wheels to move the BBQ around the garden
• Side shelves ideal for food preperation or storage
• Metal cover to protect the grilling area and drip tray for excess fat
• Metal grill and twin hot plate (These can be moved around as required)
• Push button piezo ignition
• Warming rack
• Easy clean drip tray
• Serves 14-16 People

Darwin Flat Bed 4 Burner with Roasting Hood BBQ

• 4 stainless steel burners 4.3kW each
• Side burner 3kW
• Warming rack
• SIlver plated heatshield and facia
• Enamelled cooking grids - 2 pieces
• Push button piezo ignition
• Hose and (27mm) 37mb clip on propane regulator
• Stylish ergonomic silver knobs
• Side shelves
• Heat shield which folds down flat to cover the grill area
• All nuts and bolts supplied
• Easy clean drip tray
• Flamer tamer technology
• Serves 16-18 people

Taunton Deluxe Barbecue (4 Burner) with Side Burner

• 4 Cast Iron Burners (4.3kW each)
• Side Burner (3kW)
• Each burner has its own independent control with variable heat settings offering maximum control
• Metal grill and twin hot plate (These can be moved around as required)
• Large wheels to move the BBQ around the garden
• Side shelf ideal for food preperation or storage
• Push button Piezo Ignition
• Warming Rack
• Temperature Gauge
• Hose & 27mm Clip on Propane Regulator supplied
• Stylish ergonomic silver knobs
• Lava rocks included
• Spacious storage cabinet
• Serves 16-18 people

Adelaide Silverline Flat Bed Roaster BBQ with hood (2 Burner)

• 2 Cast iron burners 4.3kW each
• Roasting hood with sturdy handle - great for getting the real smokey BBQ flavour into your food
• Very large cooking area
• Metal grill and twin hot plate (These can be moved around as required)Push button piezo ignition
• Hose and (27mm) 37mb clip on propane regulator
• Stylish ergonomic silevr knobs
• All nuts and bolts supplied
• Easy clean drip tray
• Lava rocks included
• Serves 8-10 people
• High quality wooden trolley
• Deluxe wheels

UK Water Features has a huge range of garden summer essentials ranging from garden lighting, garden buildings, bbq's and water features. 

Well spring flying by, summer is almost here. So now is the time to start preparing your garden for the outdoor season. With all the features and garden accessories out there it may be worth just highlighting the top 5 essentials for your garden this summer. 

#1 BBQ: It would not be summer without a barbeque. Whether it is gas, charcoal or masonry bbq they are certainly an essential part of any garden this summer especially is you are thinking of entertaining guest this summer. Hosting a bbq can be a great social event, a great way to bond with new neighbours, meet new people or bring the family all back together. 

#2 Garden furniture: well there is no use in entertaining people with a lovely bbq, if they have nowhere to sit.  Garden furniture not only provides a comfortable seating area for guests it also provides a great visual element to any garden. With the harsh winters that we have over here in the UK it is essential to have garden furniture that is resistant to the harmful elements. Cast aluminium or pressure treated teak are great examples of heavy duty garden furniture. However, realativly new to the furniture market is the maintainence free weave furniture. It is resistant to UV, chlorinated water and sea water, high and low temperatures, micro organisms, and body lotions. Viro® is extremely durable and colourfast, which means that it is maintenance free and easy to clean (perfect for a hassle free clean up after your guests leave)

#3 Garden Lighting: You do not want to have to bring the party inside when the sun goes down. Illuminating your garden is a great way to add a sleek and holiday resort feel to your back garden or patio area. Garden lights are also a great way to light up darker areas of your garden or highlight a specific feature on display. Installing garden lights or deck lights are not only for outdoor entertaining. They are also great for personal use. If you enjoy sitting on your back garden on those warm summer nights, relaxing it may be worth thinking about including a few garden lights to help "lighten" the mood and create a peaceful atmosphere. Solar garden lights are becoming more popular in the market. Helping people save money on their bills by providing them with free energy to light their gardens. 

#4 Patio heaters: Not every night this summer is going to be a warm one, so investing in an eco-friendly patio heater to help take away the chill on one of those off nights it certainly a sound investment. A benefit to a outdoor heater is that they are especially beneficial at this time of year. Spring is a great season to sit outdoors, but at night the temperatures tend to plummet making it a little on the chilly side to sit outdoors and enjoy a glass of wine. Patio heaters are also perfect for outdoor entertaining. They provide a focal point where people can sit near and socialize.

#5 Water features: A water feature not only provides a great focal point and visual beauty to your garden. The relaxing sound from the trickling water is a peaceful and mellow sound that gives off a unique ambiance for yourself and your guests to enjoy. Self contained water features are a very simple way to add peace, tranquillity, and interest to your garden or patio. These re-circulating water features set up in minutes, require little ongoing maintenance and incur low operating expenses. It is possible to purchase a self-contained water feature that operates on solar power exclusively. Many of these solar water features are sold with battery backup for use on overcast days. Maintenance of a self-contained water feature consists of using algae and lime scale cleaners as needed. Both of these items are commercially available at reasonable cost.  Similar to the solar garden lights, solar water features are rapidly becoming more popular in the market. For example, the solar powered stainless steel sphere is one of our most popular water features. Stainless Steel water features are perfect for any kind of garden, whether they be contemporary and elegant as well the more traditional looking gardens. Stainless Steel is very simple yet very effective element. I am sure everyone has heard of stainless steel, so I’m not going to sit here and bore you with the long history of the stuff. Instead I am going to quickly tell you about how a stainless steel water feature will become one of your favourite features in your garden.

If you are like most people you probably love the idea of sitting on your patio or deck throughout the day enjoying the lovely weather. However when the sun drops below the horizon the temerpature at this time of year can drop to less than desireable. Outdoor patio heaters are a great little addition to your garden that will take away that brisk chill in the air alowing you to enjoy the outdoors long into the night. Patio heaters come in espescially hand when you are entertaining guests. BBQ's are a certainly big at this time of year, and sometimes it is just not convinent to have them in the middle of the afternoon or maybe the party is still in full flow after the BBQ and your guests are still having a good time. However the sun has gone down and it is a little cooler now. Switching on your patio heater will keep you and your guests warm so you can stay outdoors longer into the night.  

In chillier parts of the United Kingdom, swimming pool and patio parties are more of a seasonal thing. But with a good heater, you can enjoy your patio late into the year. For those of us who are conscious of the impact we all have on the environment, you can now purchase eco friendly patio heaters. They emit no co2 or other harmful emissions, they are designed to last up to five thousand hours, and they are based on a carbon fibre heating system.

Some of the cool things about these heaters are the extra gadgets that you can get with them. Some come with built in TV screens or high powered lights. Remote controls make them easy to turn on and off, and of course, if you set them with your houses electrical timer, you can focus on your party without worrying about remembering to turn them on when things start to cool off or get dark. This simple addition your garden makes it a worthy addition to your property, whether you like to grill out or just chill on your deck or patio. 

With the nights gradually warming up, we tend to be spending a little longer in our gardens at night. Garden lighting has quickly become prominent in many peoples gardens and is now one of the top selling products in many garden centres accross the UK. With the rapid increase in demand for garden lighting fixtures, there has been a quick increase in the variations and styles that are now available. 

Placement of your lighting fixtures is key. These lights can be placed for security purposes or for their aesthetic purposes. Some garden lights are so easy to install that the owner can actually move and place them several times. 

We now begin to see the season where we sit outside long into the night enjoying the company of friends and family. With the warmer nights keeping us toasty through the night one thing, lighitng on the other hand maybe something worth considering.

Garden lighting does not only provide you with additional lighting at night, they are also great tools for lighting up special features in your garden. Highlighting a water feature, swing set or patio area can be a simple yet very effective upgrade for your garden. Highlighting a stainless steel water feature has the additional benefit from being lit up by a garden light simply because the light will reflect of the flowing water and onto the steel. This provides great visual effects and shadows. 

Outdoor lighting will also help with safety in the garden to not only illuminate pathways but offer security by illuminating darkened corners in the garden. The benefit to these sort of lights is that they actually do not need to be high powered. All you really need is a small amount of light to illuminate that dark corner. 

Solar lighting is a relatively new and very large market. Bringing solar lights in to your garden is a great cost saving home improvment feature. The way these solar garden lights work is by gathering energy from daylight throughout the day and then gradually releasing it once the sun has dropped below the horizon. What this gives you is free lighting. Another great benefit of solar garden lighting is there are no wires and they are really simple to install. Even single light lanterns are beautiful in design and offer the same security as the higher priced ones. LED lights are a favourite in groups of individuals who enjoy saving the planet as well as saving of money. These light only require the sun power them. 

Well with the long weekend upon us, there is some great news that will certainly put a smile on your face today. This Friday sees the first day of the bank holiday/Easter weekend, and guess what? It is time to break out the sun tan lotion in April. Yes, you heard it right it's going to be a warm one.

According to the Met Office, temperatures could rise to a scorching 23C this Thursday in the South of England. Unbelievably, this is warmer than Mediterranean hotspots such as Corfu, where their high is 19C and Athens at 18C and to be honest not that far off from Tenerife where their high is at 24C.

The unusually hot weather is set to continue throughout the weekend which sets it up to be a brilliant weekend in the sun. The average temperatures in the UK in mid April hover around the 10C-15C, so this surprising warms weather is certainly well above average.

With the long weekend set to be a warm one, the smell of sizzling food on a BBQ in the air is a certainty. When the weather is nice, there is nothing better than the smell of food cooking over charcoal lingering in the air. It is a great sign that summer is near. If Barbequing is not your thing, then you can definitely look forward to a relaxing weekend in the sun in the comfort of your own back garden, deck or patio area or even a lovely weekend away. Either way, the weather looks like it is going to be here till around the Royal wedding so let's take advantage of it. Don't forget your sunscreen! 

Every year, millions of us cook up a feast on the barbeque. As soon as the sun comes out we immediately dust off the shorts, grab some flip flops and start thinking about having a good old barbeque. With the weather set be lovely all weekend across the UK now would be a perfect time start planning your own.

What is the difference between barbequing and grilling? Many of us may believe that they are the same. Well in fact, there is actually a difference. Even though they are very similar there are actually a few differences that distinguish these special cooking techniques.

Grilling is a quicker way of cooking on a barbeque. Generally you grill at a higher heat, which essentially cooks your food a little quicker. Preparation for grilling is usually shorter as not much is really needed. Nutrition wise, grilling has a list of benefits compared to traditional barbequing techniques. For example, a grilled chicken breast can be grilled on impulse with a little seasoning for taste whie the fats from the meat automatically drip off. So this is a great option for those who are conscious about what they eat. Barbequed chicken breast would require more time to prepare, the inclusion of condiments and oils to keep the meat moist and stop it from drying out in the barbeque.

When grilling your food there are three widley used techniques.  Technique number one is probably the most common and is probably the one that we are most familiar with. It basically consists of using a form of under heat grilling. Under heat grilling involves the food being placed on a grill rack over either a charcoal or gas grill. This form of grilling is perfect for enhancing the flavours in your foods. It is however important to take note that in this form of grilling it is essential to preheat your BBQ to 260 degrees Celsius or 500 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure safe cooking.

The third most common technique is broiling. This is technique is different from grilling as it is done in an over-head cooking oven. As with using a grill rack, again it is essential for the over to be preheated to the recommended temperature.

The second form of grilling is a technique called 'pan grilling'. This technique is usually used for tender cuts of meat. Generally the chef would use a cast-iron pan in order to cook the food. Obvious steps need to be taken in order to prevent the meat from sticking to the pan such as seasoning or oiling.  

Barbequing requires a little more time and preparation to achieve the authentic "barbeque taste" as the food is required to be cooked at much lower temperatures causing creating a need for it to be cooked for a longer period of time. Barbequed food is much different to grilled food as it tends to be cooked to produce a Smokey taste. Oh, and it tends to be covered in sauces...which is what we all love!

Barbequing is a great family event, where you can enjoy ample food while sitting outside in this lovely weather. There are barbeques available for sized gardens and patio areas. The most popular gas BBQ is the Flat Bed Three Burner with Roasting Hood as this tensd to fit in with most peoples gardens. So with the lovely weather sweeping the nation, and those prized Bank Holidays coming up this month now would be the perfect time to start putting one together.

As we are all probably aware the Royal wedding is coming up, just in case you aren’t then it is on Friday April 29th 2011.  That being said, there is not that long left for you to finish your preparations (4 weeks to be exact) so now is the time to double check you have everything in place and keep those fingers crossed the weather holds out so we can all enjoy this memorable moment.

A barbeque is always a popular one when it comes to outdoor parties. If the weather is nice, then a bbq is the way forward. With the Royal Wedding on a Friday, and a majority of us been given the day off of work it is a perfect time to invite some friends round to enjoy some succulent burgers and juicy chicken wings whilst watching the wedding from the comfort of your own home.  Gas barbeques tend to be the more popular choice with consumers as these have a very large cooking area. However, if you prefer to be different to the ‘in crowd’ then a masonry bbq may be more to your liking as this is not only a barbeque but a permanent feature and a real focal point in your garden. I am personally more of a traditional person, so my bbq preference lies with the good old charcoal barbeques as I feel food grilled on a charcoal bbq has that distinct grilled flavour.

With the clocks going forward last week we are getting longer daylight hours, so our party  can go on into the night while we enjoy that little bit of extra sunshine. However once that sun drops below the horizon temperatures may drop a little causing it to get a little on the chilly side. We don’t want to be sat outside in the cold, eating those perfectly grilled burgers shivering do we?  So if we want to enjoy the evening then we are going to need to think about some sort of outdoor heating. Patio heaters are a great and simple addition to any outdoor living space and provide ample amount of heat to warm up a small area under the patio canopy.

The final touches to your outdoor party are also important.  It may be a good idea to add a few outdoor lanterns to set a small amount of illumination and a mellow relaxing evening ambiance to calm the evening. 

Let’s not get caught up in with the little things like barbeques and garden lighting and forget about the entertainment! Being a good host it is necessary for you to provide some entertainment (for when the wedding is not on). Some popular activities such as garden games such as Tug-of-War, swing ball, football, volleyball, basketball, cycling, face-painting, musical chairs, dancing competitions and karaoke. Don’t forget it is important to try to involve everyone in the fun and games so chose activities that are suitable for all. End the night in style and show your patriotism by setting off a few St. George sky lanterns, and remember this is an historic event to be remembered for years to come, have fun!!

Well with the weather certainly warming up we thought it would be a great idea to add a few new products to our already extensive line. Last week we added a large range of premium garden play features.

We all want our kids to be fit and healthy so it is important that we take a note of the key health benefits of encouraging an active lifestyle while keeping it fun and entertaining. A simple trampoline can amuse children (sometimes adults) for endless hours. Not only will they be outdoors enjoying the sunshine they will be bouncing their way to a fit and healthy lifestyle while having great fun along the way. Trampolining is not only great fun it is also a great way to encourage outdoor play and exercise all year long. With safety a priority, there is a selection of various enclosures for safe bouncing. If trampolining is not exactly what you are looking for, there is good news. Trampolining is not the only outdoor garden play feature that promotes any sort of outdoor play, both wooden and metal swing sets are great ways to encourage some outdoor activity along with activity centres and playhouses, which are exceptionally good for building strong creative and social skills.

Any sort of outdoor activity whether it be bouncing on a trampoline, playing in a sand pit or even playing with football with dad are all great ways to get your kids out there and enjoying an active lifestyle. With technology constantly getting more and more advanced, video games are becoming more appealing. So now is the time where we need to make that little extra effort to promote some outdoor fun and games and get our children outside. Providing a fun filled, safe environment for kids to play is a great way to get your child outdoors and out from under your feet for when those school holidays are in full swing (no pun intended).

If you are looking to enhance the look and general appearance of your outdoor decking area. The addition of Solar Outdoor Decking Lights can bring your drab, winter worn deck back to life. If you are looking for a sophisticated and professional look then solar decking lights would be a simple way to lighten up your deck or patio area at night.

Our most popular set of decking is the round solar stainless steel deck lights. With various shapes and colours available there really are options everyone.

The benefits of installing deck lights is that they are solar, meaning that no wiring is needed! Through the day, your solar deck lights are charged by direct day light once the sun goes down the lights will then use the generated solar power to illuminate your pathway, patio or decking area. Not only are solar lights GREEN, they will also help reduce your electrical expenses as they require no electricity, amazing.

A small amount of planning needs to be put in place prior to installing the deck lights. It is a good idea to place the lights in an area where you know you get a good amount of day light. For them to charge, they need light so it would not be recommended to place them in a known dark area throughout the day. Even though the lights will charge in a partially shaded area, they will shine brighter at night if they have received good contact with direct daylight throughout the day. Installation and maintenance efforts will also be significantly reduced as they require no wiring.

The addition of solar deck lights can really bring your garden to life, get creative and imaginative, highlight special areas of your garden, water features, pathways, driveways or just general illumination of your decking and patio areas.

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There are few events more exciting for a gardener than the Chelsea Flower Show. Where else can you go to one place and see thousands of beautiful, perfectly maintained flowers and plants? It is impossible for any gardener to go to the Chelsea Flower Show and not walk away feeling more inspired and ready to improve perk up their personal garden.

For those not familiar, the Chelsea Flower Show, officially The Great Spring Show is a yearly event held over the course of 5 days held by the Royal Horticulture Society and located in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea in Chelsea, London. The Chelsea Flower show is a sight to see with vibrant coloured flowers, stunning landscaping and lovely planting. It attracts over 150.000 visitors that come to soak up inspiration and take home ideas for their own garden.

The 2010 winner of the Best Courtyard Garden was ‘Music On The Moors’ exhibited by the Two Moors Festival and was the perfect balance between nature and landscaping.  There was a fantastic water feature representing a trickling stream that was flowing over a beautiful piece of Dartmoor granite into a pool. Christina Williams, who designed the garden, described how the sound of the water was a metaphor for music and features heavily in the mood of her garden. The serene and tranquil ambience created in this courtyard garden must have worked for the judges to receive the gold award. 

There are many Eco-friendly water features that utilise recycled rainwater for ponds and garden watering. Recycled rainwater protects the environment by not tapping into external water supplies. Using rainwater conserves water and energy. Water conservation is accomplished because only a minimal amount of water is used. Conserving water and relying on solar power to nourish plants and flowers in your garden is a good way to help preserve the environment.

Another way to use the power of the sun and recycled rainwater is to install an environmentally friendly solar water fountain. Solar water fountains enhance the natural beauty of the garden setting and in general they bring a touch of panache to any outdoor area. These fountains have built in solar panels, which converts sunlight into energy. Solar water foundations add a calm and tranquil element to gardens, there is something very blissful about listening to natural sounds of water flow.

There are many different types of Eco-friendly solar water features, including using a solar pond pump. Solar pumps use recycled water and natural energy to constantly refresh the water flowing into your pond. Solar energy supplies enough power to efficiently operate and maintain the pond’s filter. The filter pumps in fresh rainwater, the water is treated and cleansed with oxygen. The clean water is then pumped back into the pond.

Creating your own water feature at home is as simple as going to the store, pickup a pump and making the water feature yourself. The hardest part in making a water feature is choosing the water pump.

Water pumps are rated by LPH or litres per hour. The trick with choosing the right water pump is to measure accurately the lift you will require. The lift is defined as the number of feet the pump must move water vertically. Lift is measured from the pump to the exit spot of the water. If the pump is submerged one foot and must pump water through a line up a three foot tall statue then the lift is four feet. Most pumps have a grid on their packaging that indicates how many gallons per hour a pump will flow at X number of feet. It is important to choose a pump that is not too small or the water will not rise up the lift and fall. It is equally important not to choose a pump that is too large because the water will shoot beyond the reservoir. The ideal pump should turn over the water volume of the reservoir 3-4 times per hour.

Reservoirs can be constructed out of any material that will hold water. Flexible pond liners work really well. A sturdy plastic or metal screen should be placed over the reservoir and decorative rocks placed on top of the screen. The centre piece of the water feature will also rest on the screen so make sure the screen is stable or a base may be needed for the centre piece. The goal is to keep the water free of debris and the rocks should keep leaves, etc out of the water. The rocks also make it easier to refill the reservoir.

The next step is to connect the water pump with flexible tubing and attach the tubing to the centre piece. If using an open urn type centre piece then fill the urn about 1/4 full with small gravel and use rigid tubing for your uplift.

The rest is up to the designer. Let the creativity be your guide.

~UKWaterFeatures.com

If you are looking for the ideal Christmas gift for everyone on your list, check out indoor water features. They are inexpensive and very relaxing for anyone. It is very economical in energy use and takes very little water to make a wonderful focus point in any décor. You can find them at most stores for the home or the office.

For the office water choose a small water fountain with a single plant. It provides a living, moving flow in an environment without natural light. Most office buildings have so many employees, that a desk can be a long distance from the nearest window. A water feature provides a relaxation for the eyes when taken from a computer screen.

If you are looking for a gift for your teenage girl, choose one with fantasy characters or cute animals. The water provides a continuing sound of relaxation so she can focus on homework, solutions to problems or just something fun to break that mood of bored to tears that teens seem to go through.

For the adult you can find water features that will match décor. Check with us for a great range of indoor features. Use a colour theme such as blues and grey to fit any décor or search out something in all black or with lights for a change to the décor already in place.

Every year Christmas seems to sneak up on me. I think I have everything under control that I am on top of the shopping and decorating and travel plans and then I check my calendar and realise it is not in fact still November but December and I am very, very behind. This year I am getting a jump start on the decorating and making some of my own decorations. Here are a few of the simple and easy decorations that I have made and you should be able to make too with just a couple of hours and some simple items.

One of the things I like to make every year is a stocking countdown calendar. I take a clothes line and 25 fun coloured kids socks and iron in the dates counting down to Christmas. I then hang them over the fire place and fill each one with a small treat. As the days count down the kids get to take a stocking off and get a sweat treat!

Another easy idea is Christmas magnets. You can cut out your favourite Christmas decorations, angels, trees or snowflakes out of heavy duty cardboard and glue them to magnets to make your fridge festive. This is the perfect way to display all those Christmas cards you will be receiving!

Every Christmas I go all out on decorations for inside my home. I have the biggest tree and the best stockings. However, this year I realised that in my Christmas frenzy I have neglected my garden.

This is why I have decided that my outdoor space deserves the very best outside Christmas lights decorations. I started deciding on the colour scheme of red and white. I bought bunches of red and white twinkling lights and wrapped my porch and gutters with them. I then found some beautiful Moravian Stars in white and hung those from the tree that overlooked my nativity scene.

I also bought a light up reindeer light display, light up bear and a light up topiary of Santa's sleigh. I also bought some red and white light up stakes that line the walk way up to my house. They are in a ball shape and really let off a lovely light at night. My final purchase was this beautiful 5 foot tall light up snowman. He is a silver colour and has a red scarf and a red trimmed hat to fit in with my theme. He comes wrapped in silver lights and sits in the middle of my topiary scene.

When decorating your home for the holidays it is important to always keep safety at the forefront. The holidays are a wonderful time filled with family and friends but no holiday is fun if you are in the hospital with a broken arm. That is why it is wise to never try to do all the decorating by yourself. Always have a second person there to steady a ladder when climbing onto the roof to attach the Christmas lights or when you are on that step stool putting that star on top of the tree.

Another important safety tip to remember is to never overload your outlets. With all the LED christmas tree lights and outdoor Christmas lights you will be putting up, it would be a good idea to invest in a quality power outlet strip to avoid potential fire hazards from having too many things plugged in. Always remember to turn all the Christmas lights off when leaving the house for extended periods of time or when you go to sleep.

Outside Christmas lights are pretty to look at but can easily become too hot and start a fire. Always make sure when you are putting out your Christmas decorations not to block hallways. In case of an emergency it is important to have a clear exit path. If you follow these important safety tips you are sure to have a great holiday season.

Rock salt is a great way to thaw ice. It is very beneficial to use on roads in the wintertime. Many roads become very hard to travel in the wintertime making it hard for people to get to where they need to go. Rock salt helps to make roads easier to travel so that people can make it to work during wintertime.

Roads and paths become very slick in the wintertime and rock salt is beneficial in making it so that people will not fall down and get hurt. This helps to save on potential danger especially for at risk people, such as the elderly. Using rock salt is wise for business owners as well as it can help to make the entrance to the office premises both accessible and danger free for its employees.

Rock salt can also be used in areas where ice might build up in the garden. Sometimes ice builds up next to the house and sprinkling rock salt on it will melt the top layer of the ice so that it can be chipped away and removed.

Rock salt has many uses and will melt ice in the wintertime. Buy bulk rock salt bags at UK Water Features

Again a blog post from an avid christmas fan!

I am one of those people that really gets into the Christmas spirit. I love the Christmas lights, the baking, the tree trimming and especially the house decorating! This year I have decided to take it to the next level and have come up with the top decorating ideas for your Christmas displays.

I already have some pretty extensive decorating going on so I had to be really creative in coming up with new ideas to add to my collection. The first thing that I thought of was my nativity scene and how lovely it would be to feature several nativity scenes from different cultures. I also realised that although I have wreathes in my windows, my curtains were unadorned so I added simple bows done in red to spruce them up a little bit.

I also wanted to make sure I did not forget about the outdoors so I added some lights to my outdoor water fountains and added some giant plastic candy canes to my garden. I also decided to do an outdoor tree in addition to the one inside so I purchased a plastic tree complete with LED christmas lights and will set it up in my garden. I will use red and white lights on it.

Christmas lights are popular throughout the holiday season because it gives life to our decorations.

Tips that should be helpful are knowing what kind of lights you are using and the size of the area to decorate. If you are decorating outside be sure to get the lights that are for outdoor use. Shorter strands are helpful when replacing a strand that has broken. Measure the area to make sure you have enough strands to completely fill the area intended.

When decorating inside, make sure that you use lights that are for indoor use. If you have a real tree make sure that it is watered daily. Add lights to the focal points of the inside of your home, this will make great conversation for your guests. One thing to keep in mind and that is to not overload your lights or extension cords. If there are to many lights plugged into the same outlet, this could be hazardous.

If you are interested in lights that change with the music, there are control units that can be purchased or information on the web for the do it yourself.

If you have a light that is not working, just hold the lights up and look through each one. If there is a bad bulb you will see it. This way you are still able to use that whole strand of lights.

Halloween has had many influences, and is truly an ancient holiday. It was originally a Celtic Holiday, but even the Roman's had celebrations to the God Pomona about the same time. The Celts favourite God was the Sun God. It was the Sun God who gave them the warmth to be able to grow their crops. The Celts would celebrate the end of the reign of the Sun God on November 1st. This would usher in the season of cold and darkness.

On October 31st after the crops were harvested. The Celts would extinguish the fires in their homes and go to the dark Oak forest. The Celtic priest also known as a Druid would begin a festival, and the Celts would dance and offer food and animal sacrifices to the Gods. At the end of the festival the Druid priest would give the villagers an ember. The Celts would take the ember home and begin a fire. This fire would ward off the evil spirits. This festival began known as Samhain. Later after the Romans conquered Britain it was mixed in with the festival to the God Pomona, and later with the Catholic holiday Hallowmas, and all SaintsDay.

In the 19th century the holiday became more of a secular event, and the traditional ideas of Halloween came about. Today we celebrate Halloween with costumes, sweets and decorations. One interesting and unusual decoration is the Chinese sky lantern. These come in many colours and designs, are readily available online and in brick and mortar stores and will help to keep your Halloween festive. Why not decorate your home with a chinese flying halloween lantern?

Gunpowder and fireworks march hand in hand across history. Where one goes the other soon follows. The origins of gunpowder and fireworks are rooted in the misty depths of ancient China. Legend says a cook accidentally dropped sulphur and salt peter into a charcoal fire and bang! That was the beginning of gunpowder. One thousand years later a monk named Li Tian put gun powder into a bamboo tube, sealed it and ignited it creating fireworks. Fireworks were originally lit during religious ceremonies like New Years to frighten evil spirits. America’s tradition of using noise makers on New Year’s Eve has similar origins.

Fireworks were brought to Europe by Marco Polo and spread slowly throughout Europe. Queen Elizabeth enjoyed fireworks so much she created the court position of Fire Master. The fireworks display for the coronation of James II earned the Fire Master a knighthood. Eighty years earlier James II’s grandfather was nearly assassinated with thirty-six barrels of gun powder in the famous Gunpowder Treason. Furthermore, that was not the first time gunpowder was used in royal assassination. Henry Lord Darnley, Scottish King Consort, was killed when his sickbed was blown to smithereens by a cellar packed with gun powder. Despite this bloody history, fireworks continue to be a popular and exciting way to celebrate important religious and cultural events.

The exact origin of fireworks is not exactly clear. Some experts believe that fireworks originated 2,000 years ago while others believe that they originated in the 9th century during the Song Dynasty in China. What is commonly agreed upon though is that the Chinese were the first to discover gun powders which lead to the creation of fireworks. Of course, the question remains, who discovered the firework? There is a legend that says a field cook discovered the invention on accident by mixing charcoal, sulphur and saltpeter and compressing them in a bamboo tube. While that is a cute rendition of how an iconic symbol was started, it is far from the truth!

The credit of discovering the firework was given to a Chinese monk named Li Tian. The belief is so popular that the Chinese people celebrate the invention of the firework every April 18th and present offerings to Li Tian. During the European Renaissance period Italians began to become creative with fireworks. They created canisters that were packed with the explosive composition and shot into the air as high as possible. Also important to note is that the Chinese created a similar product. Later, more intricate products were created. The Italians were noted for creating artistic landscape which they named "temples" consisting of firework wheels, fountains and torches.

Buy fireworks at UK Water Features

A bonfire is something that many people wait for with anticipation especially when they are looking forward to a special occasion. Preparing that bonfire requires some special planning if you want to make it the best it can be. One of the most important things to remember when preparing a bonfire is to build it for safety.

Whenever fire is to be a part of a celebration planning is the key to success. Bonfires should not be built so high that you run a risk that it might fall bringing the fire with it onto a celebrating crowd. With that in mind, you should also be careful to not build the fuel for the fire so loosely that when it burns down it might topple.

Once you have prepared the stack of materials to be burned you are ready to get started and enjoy your time with family and friends. One of the most spectacular things about a bonfire is the much anticipated fireworks display that goes along with it.

Just think about the cosy time that will be had by all participants as they gather together for chit chat and roasting marshmallows and such. The excitement gets started and builds until everyone is satisfied with a good time that is had by all. A successful bonfire will live in the memory for a long time.

When setting up landscaping around your home it is essential not to forget the importance of some form of water. Many people may settle for a small fish pond or even a hot tub. Although, when it comes to water and landscaping, nothing beats the H2X Momentum Swim Spa. It is eye catching and does way more than an ordinary spa.

While the H2X Momentum has therapy settings that allow you to enjoy stationary muscle therapy far better than the ordinary spa, it has other features as well. The H2X has an aquatic exercise system with varying levels of resistance to tune it to your perfect underwater workout. It even has dual temperature settings for the therapy and the spa sides to enhance your workout or your comfort. The spa and swim sides are also tactfully separated by an acrylic wall that allows for multiple activities to get going on at once without any other users noticing. The H2X Momentum Swim Spa is perfectly set up for the ultimate comfort of all users. It even features special LED lighting systems and stainless steel spouts to enhance the comfortable feeling of the spa's atmosphere.

The H2x Momentum is also a breeze to take care of, it is very low maintenance. As well as being, the most low energy using swim spa on the market, over the long run it could pay for itself in savings. If these features sound great to you, head down to us at our showroom to schedule a private swim test. You will not be disappointed.