SPLASHING OUT ON A NEW BIRD BATH?

1. Stone bowl

‘Acorn’ bird bath on sandstone plinth, £628£718; foras.co.uk Based in Norfolk, John Wootton and his partner

Claire Brutnall gave up farming to create natural

stone accessories for country gardens and city terraces alike. Their pieces

have a distinctive, stylishyet-timeless look, and this rainbow sandstone bird bath

and plinth adds a sense of harmony to a green space.

2. Rockery feature

Rockery bird bath, £49.99, signaturegardenstatues.

com This ingenious, frost-proof watering nook can be incorporated into a rock garden or simply

placed on a patio to attract wildlife. It’s small, but sufficiently deep to

host a wide range of birds and amphibious animals, such as frogs. Made

in Yorkshire using a ‘dry cast’ method, it will weather

with age like real stone.

3. Modern and minimal

Modern bird bath, £165,

greenandblue.co.uk Designed and made locally using 75 per cent Cornish

china clay waste, this contemporary design provides safe bathing and drinking for birds. The

“terraced” sides allow different species to enter

and bathe at a suitable depth. You can buy the top dish on its own, and choose as many rings as you like to

create the perfect height.

4. All welcome

Nature oasis wildlife bath, £23.99, wildlifeworld.co.uk

This birdbath is also a vital water source for birds, bees,

butterflies and small mammals. Pollinators and

other insects can safely reach the water using the shallow descending steps. It is made from a sustainable,

frost-proof and durable material using recycled plastic and natural bamboo fibres – an environmentallyfriendly option.

5. The Scandi look

Round copper-plated bird

bath, £60, latzio.com This stylish bird bath by

Born in Sweden, which offers Swedish-inspired

design for the home and garden, can also be used as a feeder. It’s ideal for smaller spaces, such as

on the balcony in a pot. Made with stainless steel and rubber, it is available with a steel, copper-plated

or gold-plated finish.

6. Wall-mounted

Glazed bird bath,

£35,99, etsy.com Online marketplace Etsy

abounds with creative bird-bath styling inspiration.

Chris Kirby of CK Metalcraft, based in Pontefract, makes simple

but beautiful glazed bird baths in a variety of colours with handcrafted, wrought

iron holding rings, which can be easily fixed to garden fences and mounted

to walls.

7. Two in one

Eva Solo bird feeding tray with built-in bath, £99.95,

madeindesign.co.uk The hollow in the top of this

transparent stand-up glass feeder (which can be staked in the ground and is easy to

move) serves as a bath and watering hole for birds. It’s

perhaps the sleekest way imaginable to pamper and provide for garden birds. It’s practical, too – all parts are

dishwasher-safe.

8. Flight of fancy

Set of three copper chalice

bird baths, £99.85, londongardentrading.com London Garden Trading was

created in 2007 by garden designer Simon Thomas and his wife, Sarah. Their shiny, handmade copper chalices are both bird baths and

contemporary garden sculptures. The copper weathers naturally into a verdigris, and is fixed to a 1m

black iron stem. Numerous other designs are available.

9. Aged look

Salt glaze bird bath with detachable top, £199.99,

gardenesque.com The glaze on this bestselling bird bath is heatdistressed to create a beautiful antique finish, inspired by volcanic rock

formations. Made using durable clay that is both sturdy and frostproof, it will last for years to come. The bowl also has a generous depth and sloping sides

for easy grip.

10. Best budget

Graham & Green concrete

bird bath, £24.95, grahamandgreen.co.uk

Create a wildlife haven with this round bird bath

made of concrete and featuring a stepped bowl,

allowing the birds to land safely. It’s also beautifully

decorated with a dainty pair of birds on the edge.

It will make a great and budget-friendly addition

to any outdoor space.

11. Bronze winner

Dragonfly bird bath, price on application, williewildlife

scupltures.com Made in Ocean Grove, Australia, Willie Wildlife

Sculptures are famed worldwide for their bird baths, and attend the RHS Chelsea Flower Show every year to display their designs, featuring blue tits, frogs,

swallows, spectacular dragonflies and Australian birds such as kookaburras.

12. Elegant in iron

Cast iron bird bath, £56,

castinstyle.co.uk A dainty bird bath in a more traditional design but with a cast-iron rustic finish, it features four small

birds drinking from the bath’s edge, which lends

a lovely finishing touch. The bath sits on a narrow

column, which is supported by a circular base, and will last for many

seasons to come.