Easy options that bring a little magic to the garden but don’t require an electrician

SOLAR LIGHTS

Most come with a stake to sink into your borders thus creating a row of lights to guide your eye (and guests) along the garden path. Try: Solar bubble outdoor stake lights, £24 for four (johnlewis.com), which change colour and add a little festival flavour to proceedings.

FESTOON LIGHTS

Bigger and brighter than fairy lights with round bulbs best hung in swags. They look good strung from trees or a pergola and provide enough light to eat by. Try: Elan solar festoon lanterns, 20 LEDs, £19.98, thesolarcentre.co.uk; LED connectable perspex festoon lights, £35, lights4fun.co.uk.

GARDEN TORCHES

Garden torches with LED lights exist but are tame compared to the guttering flame of an oil lamp. Try: Iron garden torches, £15.95 each; 120cm high (allthingsbrightonbeautiful.co.uk); bamboo garden torches, £5.90 each; 180cm high (homebase.co.uk).

HURRICANE LANTERNS

Created to withstand storms at sea, these robust lamps are fuelled with paraffin with a wind-up wick, and won’t blow out. Put one or two on the table or hang from wall hooks. Look out for them at army surplus stores. Try: Silver hurricane lantern, 10 inch, £5.99 (surplusoutdoors.com).