At just £9.99, this budget-friendly buy punches well above its weight when it comes to creating instant outdoor ambience.

There’s no wiring, no complicated set-up – simply “hang it on a hook, branch or bracket and let the sunshine charge it during the day,” and by evening, you’ve got a soft, flattering glow ready to go.

Lakeland Hanging Solar Lantern (Image: Erica Wright)

What makes this lantern stand out is its pretty basket-style design, which casts a delicate patterned light once the sun goes down. It’s not harsh or overly bright -instead, it delivers that all-important warm white glow that makes patios, balconies and conservatories feel cosy and inviting.

Think relaxed summer evenings, a glass in hand, and just enough light to set the mood.

It’s also refreshingly versatile. Whether you’re dressing up a quiet corner of the garden or adding a finishing touch to an outdoor dining space, this lightweight lantern is easy to move around and style. And thanks to its compact size, it works just as well hung from a tree branch as it does on a simple wall hook.

Of course, at this price, you shouldn’t expect floodlight-level brightness. This is mood lighting, not security lighting. But that’s exactly the point. It’s designed to create atmosphere rather than dominate a space – and in that respect, it delivers beautifully.

The practical touches are there too. A simple on/off switch gives you control over when it lights up (a surprisingly handy feature for a solar product), and with a three-year guarantee included, it offers peace of mind that goes beyond its modest price tag.

If you’re looking for a quick, stylish and low-cost way to elevate your outdoor space this summer, this charming solar lantern is well worth snapping up before it sells out – grab it here, while stocks last.

How to layer solar lights for the ultimate garden glow up

Creating a beautifully lit garden this summer isn’t about one statement piece—it’s about layering. And while affordable finds like the Lakeland Hanging Solar Lantern offer an easy starting point, combining different styles and sources is what really brings an outdoor space to life.

Lakeland has some other great options too, and other retailers like B&Q also make it simple to build that layered look. Start with practical lighting—outdoor wall lights or security lighting – to cover visibility and safety. Then introduce softer elements like string lights, perfect for draping across fences or pergolas to create that warm, relaxed glow.

To add depth, ground lights and decking lights help define pathways and seating areas, while outdoor lanterns and post lights bring height and visual interest.

Solar options are especially popular, with solar wall lights, solar string lights and solar ground lights offering fuss-free installation and energy efficiency.

Among the standouts at B&Q are:

• Pauleen LED Solar Lantern sets (from £34.84) for a more premium feel
• ValueLights Rattan Solar Lantern (£28.99) as a statement floor piece
• Smart Garden Iridescent Solar Lantern (£15) for decorative glow
• Matte Black Spike Lights (£7.50) to subtly line paths

How to get cashback at B&Q

If you’re shopping at B&Q, it’s worth checking out if you can get cashback too – to get started, new members of TopCashback need to:

1. Sign up via https://www.topcashback.co.uk/newsquest/
2. Search for B&Q and click ‘Get Cashback Now’.
3. Shop and checkout as usual.

Cashback will then track and appear in your TopCashback account within 7 working days of your purchase. The cashback will become payable (and available to withdraw and spend) after B&Q has paid TopCashback the commission for your purchase.

M&S garden lighting brings home comforts outdoors

M&S leans into that “garden as an extra room” feel – layering lanterns, fairy lights and woven textures to create a space that’s as inviting as your living room.

For a more design-led, lifestyle finish, Marks & Spencer offers a curated edit of outdoor lighting that blends style with practicality. Think soft, ambient pieces that double as décor:

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Aldi brings back its Enchanted Garden range

For those looking to stretch their budget further, Aldi’s returning Enchanted Garden range adds a playful, affordable layer. It’s packed with solar lighting options designed to mix and match.

Key highlights include:

• Solar LED Floor Lamp (£11.99) for a soft evening glow
• Solar Iridescent Bulbs (£7.99) to add shimmer
• Solar LED Hot Air Balloon (£6.99), a returning sell-out
• Solar Grass Flower Stake Lights (£9.99) for borders and pathways
• Solar LED Water Lily (£7.99) for ponds and features

There are also stylish non-lighting extras to enhance the overall look:

• Garden Mirror (£7.99) to reflect light and open up space
• Wooden Plant Ladder (£24.99) for vertical planting
• Nesting Flower Steps (£19.99) for tiered displays
• Vintage Metal Hanging Pot (£1.99) for a quick decorative touch

The trend is clear: layered lighting creates atmosphere. Pair a simple solar lantern with structured lighting from B&Q, then finish with Aldi’s more decorative pieces to add personality.

The Oxford Folk Festival, which runs until Sunday, April 12, has a full line-up of music, dance, and community events at various venues and public spaces.

The historic Covered Market will be the central hub, with performances running throughout the weekend.

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A free concert featuring the Abingdon-based Ock Street Band will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, this marks a continuation of the festival’s traditions.

Another band called Aisling from Leiden, Oxford’s twin city, will be performing at the festival.

The group will entertain at a song and dance evening with the Oxford Folk Dancers at St Matthew’s Church on Friday night, where attendees will also be treated to a ploughman’s supper.

The six-piece band is also set to perform at various spots including North Parade market, the Covered Market, and Leiden Square at the Westgate centre.

With more than 70 performances planned, the festival is set to take over numerous outdoor locations such as Broad Street, Bonn Square, St Giles, Radcliffe Square, and Oxford Castle.

Morris dancers perform during a previous folk festival (Image: Ed Nix)

Indoor concerts are to be held at venues including Blackwell’s Norrington Room, the Old Fire Station, the Weston Library, and Modern Art Oxford.

The events are divided into six categories: headline concerts, ceilidhs and social dance, workshops, Morris dancing displays, free gigs by local artists, and pub-based folk sessions.

Dance events on Friday and Saturday evenings will offer “Morris For All” badges at the Catholic Chaplaincy, and during the day at St Columba’s Church on Saturday and Sunday.

The festival is also doing its bit to be inclusive, planning family-friendly activities, including special educational needs (SEN) events on Saturday morning at St Columba’s Church, followed by a workshop at the Museum of Oxford.

Having secured access to the Westgate centre, the organisers have planned a series of performances in Leiden Square, on the roof terrace, and in a specific busking area.

The weekend’s activities in Leiden Square are opened with a fanfare from Horns of Plenty, with a celebration of performers and dance at noon on Saturday.

The Drum and Bass On The Bike event on Sunday, April 12 is expected to attract hundreds of people to pedal to the pounding beats through the city centre.

Organised by Dom Whiting, the DJ is known for hosting Drum And Bass On The Bike raves around the country including in Bristol, Bournemouth, Southampton and more recently Adelaide in Australia.

Cyclists should meet for 2pm at the Clarendon Building in the city centre’s Broad Street this Sunday.

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Drum and Bass on the Bike rave in Oxford, April 13, 2025. Picture by Tim Hughes

Anna Railton, city council cabinet member for a zero carbon Oxford, said the historic Oxford streets coupled with drum and bass by bike “is a great contrast”.

Ms Railton, who hopes to be there, said: “I came along the last time he came to town and it was great fun.

“It’s certainly the biggest critical mass bike ride I know about in Oxford but I think it’s more about the music and everyone having a bit of fun – both those cycling along and everyone else who gets to witness it go past.”

The Met Office forecast for this Sunday as of Friday afternoon is cloudy with breaks of sunshine, although there are chances of rain in the afternoon.

Mr Whiting said ahead of his visit: “DJ decks are replaced so I hope you are ready for a 2026 Oxford bike rave re-visit.

“As always, anyone and any mode of transport are welcome and you can of course bring your own speaker by simply hooking up to our online livestream wherever you are in the crowd.

“See you on Sunday.”

Starting his On The Bike raves during the Covid lockdowns, Mr Whiting has gone on to amass more than 800,000 social media followers as a result of his fun events.