The best hammocks for your garden

You know the feeling: the sun's coming out and you're looking for that perfect spot in the garden to enjoy it. Deck chairs and grass-laying can sometimes do the trick, but nothing's quite as satisfying as having your own space where you can fully relax.

Read on for our selection of the best hammocks to buy. We've also included some hammock frames that you can buy separately, so you can choose a set that's right for you and your garden.

Looking to entertain this summer? Check out the best garden bar ideas.

How do I choose the right hammock?

Hammocks come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Hammocks with flat beds can offer more structure for your body, while looser designs can feel more snug. You can also get hammocks wide enough to share with another person (or for you to really spread out and relax), or you can opt for a single-sized choice to make a compact space that's truly yours.

If you're looking for low maintenance, it can be best to choose a design that's been weatherproofed so you don't have to store it away when it's not in use. However, if you're willing to take it to the shed or invest in a waterproof cover, a non-weatherproof choice could potentially have more luxurious fabrics to add some extra comfort.

Hammock stands (or frames) can be a more guaranteed approach to keeping the space more stable and secure, as they're designed to hold your weight without swaying or breaking.

A hammock stand isn't for everybody though so, whichever one you buy, it's possible to suspend it between two trees if you have the right tools. This will provide some natural shade while being more cost-effective but, as hammocks require a certain amount of tension, it'll depend on having trees that are both strong enough and the appropriate distance apart.

Best hammocks to buy in 2023

Charles Bentley Extra Large 4M Hammock

With this luxuriously large hammock you can create your very own peaceful spot in the garden. The hammock is big enough for two to share, with the strong wooden frame providing a maximum user capacity of 200kg. It's freestanding too, so you won't need to hook it up to any trees to keep it supported.

Not only is it a comfortable resting zone, but the cream cotton canvas hammock can also create a serene-looking feature in your garden. The larch wood stand has a natural look that can blend in nicely with garden aesthetics, and it's said to be built to withstand the weather.

Fringed Hammock - Blue Stripe

• Buy now from Cox and Cox (£325.00).

This stand-out hammock could be the centrepiece of a peaceful haven in your garden. The design, with its blue and white stripes and summery fringes, radiates something different to the more regular style of hammocks.

It's supported by ropes connected to a long teakwood bar that helps to suspend the hammock in position. Its (mostly) flat bed makes it ideal for when you want to share the hammock with another person.

Freeport Park Natalia Double Hammock

• Buy now from Wayfair (£329.99).

For deeper relaxation, a hammock that can snugly surround your body is a fitting choice. This colourful hammock from Freeport Park uses 100% cotton for a more comforting experience, with a pinewood stand to hold it in place.

Available in a number of colours from 'Blue Lagoon' blue to 'Mimosa' red, you can easily choose a hammock that will match the style of your garden. There are adjustable hooks for you to set how high or low you want to lay.

Potenza Grande Organic Colombian Cotton Hammock

Potenza have been crafting heavy-duty hammocks for over 20 years so their Grande Hammock is bound to be a strong choice for your garden. The fabric used is organic Colombian cotton and the frame is constructed from alloy steel, designed to be weatherproof all year round, regardless of the season.

The frame measures up to 3.7m long which is larger than a lot of other hammock stands. This increased size will likely provide extra comfort, as it allows for better body weight distribution and the opportunity to lay in different positions.

California Dream Hammock & Stand Set

• Buy now from ManoMano (£1004.64).

This set combines the 4.37m-long Arcus hammock stand with the Gigante Lava hammock. The hammock is substantial enough to accommodate the impressively-large stand, with an approximate length of 4.5m and a max weight capacity of 280kg.

That means it's definitely the right size and shape to share it with another person, or you can enjoy it in all its comfortable glory by yourself and take up all the space you desire.

Alpen Home Clemons Cotton Hammock

• Buy now from Wayfair (£183.99).

For something with a bit more simplicity, this single hammock from Alpen Home can be a relaxing spot for one. It has wooden stretcher bars and heavy-duty hanging loops to hold it all in place, as well as connecting ropes to prevent the hammock from swaying too much.

The multicoloured stripes will look radiant in sunlight, so make sure to put this in a bright spot in your garden.

Best hammock stands to buy

Of course, you can always hook up your hammock between two strong, sturdy trees. This can be a more cost-effective way of enjoying your hammock amongst natural shade, but it can depend on whether the trees are the right distance apart for the size of your hammock, which can be tricky.

Hammocks require the right amount of tension so that they're not too loose to hold their shape, but not too tight to comfortably move around. This is done by nailing the appropriate distance for the two hanging points for your hammock, which isn't the easiest thing when dealing with objects as immovable as trees.

If that's not an option, these stands are designed to withstand the weights of hammocks and their users without breaking or swaying.

Amazonas Apollo Hammock Stand

• Buy now from Hammock Barn (£319.00).

Accommodating hammocks between 2.5m and 3.3m, this stand is made from sustainable, weatherproofed spruce. Galvanised fittings are used to add structural stability while allowing you to adjust the stand to the size of your hammock.

Arcus Hammock Stand

• Buy now from ManoMano (£865.80).

Listed above as part of the California Dream set, this hammock stand's huge 4.37m length will fit large hammocks between the size of 3.4m to 4.2m.

GÅRÖ Grey Hammock Stand

• Buy now from IKEA (£70.00).

This hammock stand from IKEA conveniently has wheels, allowing you to tilt it on move it around freely. This is ideal if you're choosing a hammock that shouldn't be kept outside all the time, as it will make storing it that much easier.

Arc Hammock Stand

• Buy now from Tropilex: Single (£218.90), Double (£251.90), Family (£273.90).

Varying in size depending on the hammocks you'll be using, the all-metal Arc Hammock Stand should be a sturdy, weather-resistant choice. It has adjustable chains allowing you to connect different kinds of hammocks to it, so it's a great fit if you have more than one at home.