You may think a sundial is a quaint, slightly antiquated item, but the sundial has a fascinating history and the right ones can look really great in the garden. Plus they can actually tell the time for you, which is a great way of connecting more with the natural world, rather than relying on screens to help us with information.
What is a sundial?
Essentially a sundial is something that uses the sun to tell the time of day. It is a horological device which works by creating a shadow that falls on a specific marker that tells the position of the sun and thereby the time. The earliest known sundials date back to ancient Egypt
How does a sundial work?
There are two parts to most sundials, a flat plate, and a stick, which is also called a gnomon. Some sundials use a shadow - this is most garden sundials you'll find - while others work by using a thin line or spot of light. It's not always exact, however and how you position a sundial to tell the time will be different wherever you are. But it can be accurate to within half an hour.
Regardless of whether you want to actually use a sundial to tell the time, they can be beautiful things to have in your garden, and some are very tastefully designed. Pick the right one and you have a garden focal point and feature all on its own.
The best garden sundials
Esschert large round slate garden sundial
The beautiful slate sundial harks back to Roman times with its numerals around the face. But the use of slate is a really smart design, and the carving round the edges and on the gnomon look very nice. It measures 25 W by 25H CM and doesn't come with a stand so you'll need to think about where you want to place it (on a wall, or a stand of your own?). If you're planning on attaching it, use glue to keep it in position and then when you've found the right spot for it, it won't get accidentally moved and stop telling the right time.
Anniversary garden sundial
Why not get a commemorative sundial made especially for your loved one? This recycled metal sundial is a nice idea for a present, and is handmade in the UK. Crafted from brass and finished in black, this one is to celebrate an anniversary this year, but there are also lots of other options: golden wedding anniversary, ruby wedding anniversary in green, red and blue. This sundial measures at 23.8 x 20 x 2.9 cm and weighs 970 grams. There's also a mounting bracket supplied, and there's an option to have a stand too.
Cast iron garden sundial
Buy it from Etsy (£24.99)
If you're looking for something a little more ornate than your usual sundial, here's an option for you. The bottom of the sundial is made to look a little bit like the top of the globe, and the sundial itself works using Roman numerals. It measures 33cm x 38cm x 24cm, and there is some home assembly, although this looks as though it will be quite simple to do. This will work very well as a striking focal point in the garden.
Bronze sundial garden sculpture
Buy it from Etsy (£503.94)
We absolutely love this large garden sundial that is made from bronze and looks as though it is a sculpture all in its own right. This is an Armillary model, a sphere designed by Ptolemy that had six rings of the zodiac. It is a large option - height 42 cm, width 50 cm - and one of the pricier on this list, but if you have the space and are looking for a sundial that will get your visitors talking, this is probably the one for you.
Verdigris aged cast metal garden sundial
Buy it now from Etsy (£58.49)
This tall sundial comes as a stand alone item for the garden, and means you don't have to worry about attaching your sundial anywhere. There is an element of assembly with this sundial, and it is hand finished too, which means the colour will vary piece to piece. This sundial is right for outdoors, but it will weather over time, thereby adding to its natural charm. It's quite heavy at 3.95 kg and it measures approximately 25 cm deep by 40 cm high.
If you're looking for other garden accessories, why not buy a wind chime? We've found the best stylish wind chimes on sale right now.
