The most Beautiful Water Butt??

Discussion in 'General Gardening Discussion' started by Nicky.C, Apr 11, 2025.

  1. Nicky.C

    Nicky.C Apprentice Gardener

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    Hello everyone, I’m looking for advice on getting the most lovely looking water butt…if there is such a thing! We’re having our glasshouse refurbished and can’t get guttering to reach the drain so my only option is a waterbutt that will sit on the patio in full view. What does everyone have that isn’t the usual big plastic one? I’ve seen the Sarah raven zinc one and garden trading do a powder coated steel one but do you think they’ll be long lasting? I’d think so for the money but like to hear any reviews or suggestions you might have.

    I’d also wondered about a wooden whisky barrel but not sure how practical that would be.
    Thanks for reading
    Nicky
     
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    • katecat58

      katecat58 Super Gardener

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      • infradig

        infradig Total Gardener

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        • Nicky.C

          Nicky.C Apprentice Gardener

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          Ah thanks so much for this link Katecat, I hadn’t spotted this website, the terracotta ones do look nice.
          Infradig, I shall let hubs see if doable, I’d never of thought of that..thanks for the idea
           
        • CatDouch

          CatDouch Super Gardener

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          Hi @Nicky.C we had 2 wooden whisky barrels as water butts with drain pipes running into them. They looked nice for the first couple of years but ended up rotting. Also the wooden taps broke so I had to use a bung which meant leaping out of the way when removing it otherwise I’d get drenched. You mustn’t let them run dry either as the wood then shrinks which causes various problems. This is them looking a bit faded before we replaced them.
          IMG_4273.jpeg

          We have just replaced them and I spent ages looking for some that looked nice as they are on either side of our porch. We need them there as we have a thatched roof so don’t have normal guttering apart from the slate roofed porch. I found these which look like wood but are some sort of plastic. They seem very well made and come with a stand and diverter kit. Ours are 240 litre ones but you can get different sizes.
          IMG_4475.jpeg IMG_4476.jpeg
          They are called Roto water butts if you need to Google them.
           
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          • Nicky.C

            Nicky.C Apprentice Gardener

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            @CatDouch wow, what a lovely porch, I adore the doggies standing guard! I shall google them thank you, they do look very realistic, I’d much prefer something with longevity so I shall rule the real deal out. I’m envious of your thatched roof. We looked at a cottage up here in Fife with one but they’re quite rare up here and husband had the fear of not being able to get a thatcher and having to learn another skill set haha
             
          • CatDouch

            CatDouch Super Gardener

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            I think your husband was right to be wary of a thatched roof @Nicky.C They look beautiful but I spoke to our thatcher recently and he’s booked up until 2027! Luckily we don’t need anything doing to our thatch at the moment!
             
          • Victoria

            Victoria Lover of Exotic Flora

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            I painted mine ... 25 years ago! Cheap and cheery ... needs re-doing now though.

            Water Butt 24 Sep 24.jpg
             
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            • Nicky.C

              Nicky.C Apprentice Gardener

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              That looks great Victoria, it’s aged better than me!
               
            • Stephen Southwest

              Stephen Southwest Gardener

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              I keep a water butt inside the greenhouse - that's where I need the water, it helps with greenhouse temp regulation, and (probably makes no difference whatsoever) the water temp isn't a shock to the greenhouse plants
               
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