Alfresco dining

It looks as though we’re going to have some nice weather this weekend and I, for one, will be spending as much time outside as possible. I especially like to cook and eat outside - I find it very relaxing, just like being on holiday.

With all the doom and gloom about the weather it’s easy to believe that the summer’s over, but don’t despair, we often get a gorgeous Indian summer – remember last year, it was amazing right up to the end of October. Plenty of time to get out and enjoy your garden

I’ve built two seating areas in my garden and both are sheltered enough to eat outside even when it’s not blazing sunshine. You may have to put on an extra sweater, but it’s always worth it. The secret is to create areas that protect you from the elements, but are also private so that you’re not overlooked and can feel psychologically relaxed.

I use pergolas, screens of round posts combined with tall grasses, hedges, and walls. If you create a structure over your seating area, such as a pergola, you can have a detachable canvas cover that enables you to sit out even if it’s raining. Shade sails look great and can be taken down when you’re not using them. A simple awning attached to the house will also work. If you have the budget you can build walls and combine with wooden structures to create interesting outdoor rooms within your garden. The possibilities are endless.

Add some fairy lights snaking up the pergola, into the planting, into the canopy of a parasol, or underneath your canvas awning and you can create a magical outdoor dining space – you’ll never want to eat inside again.



Seating area at the top of my garden with radial pergola and mosaic paving.