Patio umbrella with built-in lights is perfect for providing shade as heatwave arrives

The patio umbrella is better than half-price at Debenhams

With some really hot weather finally hitting the UK, it feels like summer has well and truly arrived. Much of the country is basking – or is set to bask – in glorious sunshine, which means the ice creams and fans are out.

But one essential on these boiling hot days is a place in the garden to get some shade. Many of us enjoy sitting under an umbrella on a patio area while grabbing a break from the sun’s rays.

And one snazzy option that’s grabbing our attention comes from Debenhams and includes built-in lights for added ambience on an evening. The Living and Home Double-Top Cantilever Parasol measures 2.91m W x 2.91m D and currently has a discount, taking the price down by 55% from £232 to £105.

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The product promises shoppers the chance to “escape the sun in style”. Its design features a “durable” metal frame, while the octagonal parasol’s shape is crafted to create as much shade as possible on hot, sunny days.

If shoppers are worried about the effects of the weather, Debenhams says its weather-resistant polyester canopy ensures it can withstand all sorts of elements. It also includes a convenient crank mechanism and adjustable handle that allows the angle of shading to be adjusted, so the shade can move depending on where the sun is in relation to a patio throughout the day.

In a snazzy modern twist on a parasol, each rib on the dark grey umbrella is equipped with an LED light strip, to allow for a rather fancy outdoor feature on an evening. There haven’t been any reviews left to date, but the only potential problem we can spot is that the product’s description doesn’t make it clear how the lights are powered.

Looking at the pictures it would appear they’re likely solar powered, which obviously means there will need to have been some sunshine throughout the day for the lights to work at night. Debenhams isn’t the only retailer to stock these types of parasols.

B&Q has a cheaper option with the 3M LED Lighted Large Garden Patio Cantilever Parasol that has a £21.50 discount, taking the price from £99 to £77.50. That one is powered by solar power, though it is worth noting that it doesn’t include a base and is only available to buy online, not in store.

Elsewhere, cheaper still, the Range’s Outdoor Lighted Parasol Garden Cantilever Umbrella is also discounted, taking the price to £50, rather than the usual £65.99. That also has a large 3m diameter, making it suitable for most standard-sized outdoor seating areas.

It offers UV 40 protection, though again a base will need to be bought separately. That product does offer more colour options, with dark grey, beige and light grey available.