Some form of outdoor heating is now de rigueur but what you choose and where you place it depends on how you plan to use your garden and outdoor entertaining areas. If you want to spark lively conversation, a fire pit encircled by stools might be ideal but if you want a quiet space in which to relax after a meal, a built-in fireplace might better suit.
It’s not just where you want the heat, though; it’s how much you want and how much maintenance you’re prepared to do. Electric, gas and bioethanol heaters can be turned on and offer with the flick of a switch while those that burn wood need to have that fuel source constantly replenished then the ash and cold embers cleared away afterwards.
As for ambience, do you want dancing flames without the crackle? If so, bioethanol or gas fireplaces will suffice but for many, the pop of real flames and aroma of woodfire makes the
