Antiques for your Edwardian Summer Garden Party inspiration
Posted by Chris on 15/06/2025
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Summer is finally here…nearly. And with it comes everything the Great British garden party has to offer: drinks on the terrace, flowers, sunshine (hopefully), all served with a touch of class.
If there was one thing that the Edwardians did well, it was gardens. It was during the 1900s and 1910s that Gertrude Jekyll was prolific in her garden designs, favouring irises and all manner of blousy flowers. Architects like Sir Edwin Lutyens were also hard at work, designing orangeries and formal gardens all over the UK.
So today we’re looking at antiques for your summer garden party inspiration - mostly featuring Edwardian pieces, but some from other eras too.
In this article:
Garden furniture
Edwardians were into their garden furniture, often bringing the formal into the informal spaces. Think wicker and bamboo chairs and settees, and occasional wine and nesting tables.
Edwardian antique garden furniture inspiration:
Garden bench in the Jekyll / Lutyens style, late Edwardian (pictured above). Price: £PLEASE ENQUIRE - view this item
Pair of elegant rattan armchairs. Price £2,200 / $2,985 - view this item
Antique Edwardian Inlaid Marquetry Sofa Settee. Price £PLEASE ENQUIRE - view this item
Edwardian sofa, inlaid with green velvet. Price £195 / $265 - view this item
Edwardian inlaid sofa settee. Price £POA - view this item
Edwardian Serpentine Tea Table. Price £750 / $1,015 - view this item
Large Bamboo Garden Sofa. Price £1,950 / $2,645 - view this item
Edwardian Mahogany Chair Back Settee. Price £295 / $400 - view this item
Large Wicker Basket (pictured above) - great for blankets, food & drink. Price: £195 / $265 - view this item
Gardening
Gardening was high up the Edwardians' agenda, with a new style emerging after the relatively dull terraced gardens of the Victorians. See this at Hestercombe Gardens, in Taunton, where the 'off the shelf' Victorian terrace, with rows of bedding plants and a central water fountain (literally chosen from a catalogue) contrasts beautifully with the sunken parterre of Jekyll / Lutyens design - with a completely different, empathetic style of planting and hard landscaping.
It's here at Hestercombe that the Orangery and lawn really give you a sense of how the Edwardians might have enjoyed their gardens - with the huge in-built stone bottle coolers in the Orangery showing that this was a place they liked to enjoy themselves.
Edwardian garden antique inspiration:
Pair of Edwardian Brass Jardinieres (pictured above). Price £365 / £495 - view this item
Stunning Quality Antique Edwardian Wedgwood Jardiniere in blue. Price £425 / $545 - view this item
Fine Quality Antique Edwardian Cut Glass and Silver Plated Spill Vase. Price £295 / $375 - view this item
Food & drink
Perhaps somewhat less lavish than their Georgian counterparts, Edwardians still enjoyed formalities and accoutrements to accompany their outdoor garden party activities, and would have brought out all manner of jugs, containers, cutlery and glassware for their food and drink.
Edwardian antique food and drink inspiration:
Edwardian four piece tea set by Walker and Hall. Price: £475 / $605 - view this item (pictured above)
Pretty antique Edwardian silver plated cake basket. Price: £245 / $332 - view this item
Elegant antique Edwardian quality silver plated four piece tea set and tray. Price: £495 / $671 - view this item
Striking Edwardian silver comport by Walker & Hall. Price: £195 / $265 - view this item
Elegant antique Edwardian silver plated jam pot and spoon. Price: £225 / $305 - view this item
Edwardian cut glass silver plated biscuit barrel. Price: £425 / $575 - view this item
Edwardian twelve piece cutlery set in the original box. Price: £225 / $305 - view this item
Antique Edwardian brass square trivet. Price: £105 / $142 - view this item
Edwardian silver plated grape scissors. Price: £175 / $235 - view this item (pictured above)
Edwardian cut glass fruit bowl. Price: £325 / $440 - view this item
Fine 1915 antique solid sterling silver cream jug. Price: £119 / $161 - view this item
Edwardian Pressed Glass Sugar Bowl. Price: £POA - view this item
Edwardian Limoges Style Bowl Decorated with flowers and Gilt Edge. Price: £POA - view this item
Unusual Edwardian Majolica Jug. Price: £325 / $415 - view this item
Set of Three Painted Serving Jugs. Price: £185 / $235 - view this item
Wine & champagne
You simply can't have a teetotal Edwardian garden party - they were very fond of their wine and champagne. That's why you'll need an ice bucket, wine glasses and decanters - plus a serving tray to bring all your lovely booze out on.
Edwardian antique wine and champagne inspiration:
Pair of Veuve Clicquot Champagne Coolers. Price £800 / $1,085 - view this item (pictured above)
Glass pitcher with ice container. Price £142 / $192 - view this item
English glass & silver plate ice bucket by John Grinsell. Price £POA - view this item
English silver plated wine cooler / ice bucket by Elkington. Price £POA - view this item
Double Wine / Champagne Coaster Cart by Maple, London. Price £POA - view this item
Champagne stands (x10). Price £400 / $542 - view this item
Dutch Coopered Brass and Turned Teak Planter/Jardinière/Wine Cooler. Price £290 / $393 - view this item
English Sterling Silver & Glass Hip or Liquor Flask (pictured below). Price: £POA - view this item
Large antique Edwardian silver plated tea tray. Price: £395 / $535 - view this item
Edwardian 3-Decanter Tantalus. Price £340 / $461 - view this item
Bonus item
As an Edwardian gentleman, you will of course need to play golf. But forget about getting a membership to your local club - you can always just impress your summer garden guests with this delightfully Edwardian cigar compendium instea.
Rare Antique English Silver Plated Golf Themed Cigar Compendium c.1900 (pictured below). Price: £POA - view this item
Read next
Enjoyed reading this? We have other garden-related antique blog posts that you might be interested in.
Read 'Seven Antique & Vintage Pieces to Get Your Garden Ready for Summer', and 'Flowers in Antiques: why our lives would be dull without them'.
Plus:
> A brief history of antique garden sculpture and furniture
> Antique garden furniture and vintage ornaments you must have in your garden this summer