Wooden Garden Ornaments & Statues

Wooden garden ornaments at Backyard Bliss is the small carved-hardwood piece of the catalogue: two pieces, both larger statement items rather than a row of small carved figures.

2 products

Large Wooden Giraffes - Set of 4

Large Wooden Giraffes - Set of 4

Large Wooden Giraffes - Set of 4

£249.99

3.0 (2)
Handcrafted Wagon Wheel Bench | Garden Ornament

Sold out

Handcrafted Wagon Wheel Bench | Garden Ornament

Handcrafted Wagon Wheel Bench | Garden Ornament

£699.99

About Wooden Garden Ornaments & Statues

Wooden Garden Ornaments: Hardwood Giraffes and a Wagon Wheel Bench

Wooden garden ornaments at Backyard Bliss is the small carved-hardwood piece of the catalogue: two pieces, both larger statement items rather than a row of small carved figures. The Large Wooden Giraffes are a set of four carved giraffes at a height that anchors a planted corner; the Handcrafted Wagon Wheel Bench is a seat made from reclaimed timber wagon parts, sized for a sheltered porch corner or a shed-front spot rather than open lawn.

Why we keep the wooden range small

Hardwood lives outdoors fine in a sheltered position with airflow underneath, but it does not love the long sodden wet of an exposed UK winter. Most of the cast-resin and cast-stone catalogue handles the weather better and costs less, so the wooden range is deliberately the two showpieces rather than a wide run. The Large Wooden Giraffes are a set of four carved silhouettes, a planted-corner anchor under a tree where they catch dappled light. The Wagon Wheel Bench is a seat first and an ornament second: reclaimed wagon wheel ends joined into a sturdy bench frame, the kind of piece that suits a covered porch or a stable-yard corner.

What hardwood adds that resin and stone cannot

Texture and warmth. Wood reads differently against planting than cast stone or painted resin, the grain catches light, the carving shows the maker's hand, the surface softens to a silvered patina rather than gathering moss. The Wooden Giraffes work especially well in a corner with movement nearby (a swaying grass, a low fern), where the carved silhouettes catch the eye against the planting. The Wagon Wheel Bench is the functional piece in the catalogue, a seat for the corner where the cup of tea actually gets drunk, not just a sculpture to look at.

Where to put a wooden piece in a British garden

Shelter matters. A covered porch, a south-facing wall, a shed-front spot under a deep eave, these all add years to a hardwood piece. Open lawn in a wet sandy garden does not, and the giraffes hold colour and grain best where they get sun and dry between rain showers. The Wagon Wheel Bench wants level ground and ideally an overhang above; mounted on a paved patio under a pergola is the natural fit. Lift the wooden feet onto stone plinths so the end-grain does not sit in puddled wet, which is the slow killer of any outdoor hardwood.

Finish, care and a wet British year

Both pieces benefit from an annual oil, a teak oil or a clear hardwood preserver, in late spring, ideally on a dry weekend after a few sunny days when the timber is properly dry. That's it for care. A silvered patina on the giraffes after two or three winters is normal and reads beautifully against green planting; if you prefer to keep the deeper warm-honey tone, oil more often. For carved wood by subject, the wooden giraffe range, the wooden hare range and the wooden highland cow range carry the subject-specific pieces.

Large Wooden Giraffes - Set of 4 - Backyard Bliss — From the wooden garden ornaments & statues range

Frequently Asked Questions

How does delivery, returns and contact work?

UK delivery is free on orders over £50, with a flat rate below that. Orders ship within one working day from our Cotswolds workshop, packed in recyclable materials. Returns are accepted within 30 days for a full refund, with no restocking fees. If something arrived damaged or you need help choosing, email hello@backyardbliss.co.uk and we usually reply within a few hours.

Why is the wooden range so small?

Hardwood is the material that needs the most shelter and care to survive a wet UK winter without splitting. We stock the two pieces that earn the trade-off, a statement set of four Wooden Giraffes for a sheltered planted corner, and the Wagon Wheel Bench as a functional seat. Cast resin and cast stone handle weather and cost better for most other subjects.

What hardwood are the pieces made from?

The Wooden Giraffes are carved from a dense tropical hardwood with a tight grain and a warm honey tone. The Wagon Wheel Bench uses reclaimed wagon timber, mostly oak and elm, joined into a sturdy seat frame. Full timber specification is on each product page.

Will the wooden pieces survive a wet winter?

In a sheltered spot, yes. Under a porch eave, a south-facing wall, or a covered pergola, the timber dries between showers and weathers slowly. In an exposed open-lawn position the giraffes and the bench will silver faster and may split at end-grain over years. Lift the feet onto stone plinths so the bases never sit in standing wet.

How often should I oil the pieces?

Once a year is plenty. A teak oil or a clear hardwood preserver, applied on a dry weekend in late spring when the timber is fully dry, keeps the warm-honey tone for years. Skip the oil and the pieces silver to a soft grey patina, which suits a planted garden beautifully but is less reversible once it has settled.

Is the Wagon Wheel Bench actually a usable seat?

Yes. It is a functional bench made for sitting on, not just a sculpture. The reclaimed wagon wheel ends form the structure, the seat-rail is sized for two adults at a relaxed distance. Sturdy enough to use daily on a sheltered patio or shed-front spot, with the oil routine above to keep it looking handsome.

What about smaller wooden pieces by subject?

The subject-specific ranges carry the smaller carved items. The wooden giraffe range, the wooden hare range, and the wooden highland cow range each pull their subject together across material variants.

View 5 more FAQs