Installing a water butt is a good old fashioned way to save water.
Collecting rainfall is the perfect solution to getting around a hosepipe ban, saving money if you have a water meter and conserving this precious resource while still having a green and pleasant garden.
However let's be honest, they are not always the prettiest thing to have in your garden
You may be able to get a free or discounted water butt from your local water company, so before you splash out, check our list of free water saving devices from your local water company. They will be good and functional, but also rather basic in design.
If you want to have something that will enhance your garden as well as keep it irrigated, here are some of the best, more attractive water butts on the market.
Whatever your garden's style, whether you have a simple and contemporary planting scheme or a wild and bohemian country cottage style patch, you will find a water butt that will look fantastic while it keeps your plants happy too.
This very attractive water butt looks like oak, but is actually just a very good polyethylene version, perfect for rustic style gardens.
It holds 200L of water and comes with a matching stand and a downpipe connector kit with easy installation.
From Evengreener
Get a Mediterranean feel to your gardain with this Cascata Clay Effect Water Butt which also doubles as a planter. You can store a handy 245L of water while the butt will look attractive and decorative in your garden.
From Two Wests & Elliot
This water butt's design is based on a old German oak tree trunk, but it is made from polyethylene. This one stores a massive 475 litres while blending into your garden beautifully.
From Amazon
The wood effect Barrel Water Butt is beautifully made to blend in with the natural surroundings of your garden.
The one shown has here a 50L capacity suitable for a smaller garden, however it comes in a variety of sizes up to a generous 350L.
From Two Wests & Elliot
If you are looking for something subtle that will blend in with your fencing, the Norway Wood Effect Water Butt is just what you are looking for. It is plastic of course, made to look like real wooden Nordic Pine shingles.
It holds 230L of water and is approximatly 50" tall.
From Amazon
This stunning Elegance Wall Tank would make a bold and contemporary statement in your garden. In a choice of sand beige or stone grey it will fit in perfectly with a modern planting style.
Holding 400L of water yet with only a 24" square footprint it would work well in a small garden or paved courtyard.
From Two Wests & Elliot
Yes, this really is a water butt! With a 185 litre capacity, it comes in sandstone and the millstone option shown here. The built-in submersible pump generates sufficient water pressure to directly water a lawn or garden.
From Two Wests & Elliot
The Bee Hive water butt holds 150 litres of water and is made from Terraccina, a resin material that looks very like clay, so it will blend in to your garden.
From Amazon
The Rainwater Terrace System is a new concept in rainwater collection which means that you can collect rainwater and grow plants all in one stylish unit.
You can choose whether to go for 2 or 3 tiers and there is a choice of colours. The one shown here is bright green, you can also get it in dark green, terracotta and black.
From EvenGreener
If you want to start using a water butt but are expecting your water needs to grow, the Technik Rain Tank System is designed to be used alone or can be joined to up to two other tanks.
It as pretty big tank already with an 800L capacity, and it can be bought as a set of 3 tanks giving you a humungous 2400L of rainwater capacity.
There is a choice of this sandstone finish or a more traditional plain black, whichever fits in better with your garden.
From Amazon
The Rainsaver Water Butt is a good basic water butt which holds 227L of water. This robust and popular butt costs from around £45. Made from recycled plastic and guaranteed for 10 years, it is currently the most popular water butt to be offered by the local water companies that offer them.
Please note that the stand extra.
From Evengreener
Maurano Stone Effect Water Butt is another butt that is not only attractive, but doubles as a planter.
Holding 300L of rainwater, it could blend in with a stome wall or stand out as a feature in it's own right as shown here.
From Amazon
The Woody Wall Tank, is a highly realistuc looking water tank which can be found in a choice of light (shown here) or dark wood styles.
With a handy 350L capacity it is just 6" deep, so good for small gardens or where space for a water butt is limited, such as in a narrow walkway.
From Two Wests & Elliot
It may not be pretty, but if you need to store a LOT of water, this huge RainCatcher tank holds 750 litres. It can be adapted to include a pump, filters and even to flush toilets, and is designed to be easily moved with a fork lift truck!
From Amazon
The rather elegant and contemporary styled Metropolitan Water Butt features a planter on top and has a 255L capacity.
It comes in a fabulous choice of colourways, including this blue marble shade, terracotta, zesty orange, red, grey, green and even purple and hot pink!
From Water Butts Direct
This fabulous Antique Amphora Water Butt will add a glamorous Mediterranean flavour to your garden. Available in Terracotta shown here it includes a planter and plant fleece as well. It comes in 250L and 360L sizes.
From Water Butts Direct
The elegent and contemporary styled 275L Noblesse Decorative Water Butt comes in a stone effect sandstone finish.
Adding a touch of class to your garden, the butt has a removable lid which allows you to use it as a planter as well if you wish. It's supplied with wall fixings as well.
From Water Butts Direct
For more green gardening see our choices of the composters available, from the huge to tiny, with lots of attractive and decorative styles .
Most Popular in Recycling
CDs & DVDs
Videotapes & Cassettes
Duvets & Pillows
Ink Cartridges
Shredded Paper
Glasses (Spectacles)
Stamps
Pens
......Recycling A-Z