Unusual Garden Ornaments
Updated November 2026.
Unusual garden ornaments are the pieces people stop and look at twice: a wizard frog by the pond, an owl giving the patio a side-eye, a capybara balancing an orange. Ours are cast stone, hand-finished in the Lake District and made to order, each one a small character with a face that does most of the talking.
Our unusual garden ornaments compared
| Ornament | Character | Approx. size (H × W × D) | Where it can live |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professor Grumbletoad | A sleepy wizard frog in a blue moon-and-stars hat | 18 × 18 × 17 cm, about 2 kg | Indoors or outdoors |
| The Little Critic | An owl with a suspicious side-eye and a gold beak | 17 × 18 × 18 cm, about 2 kg | Indoors or outdoors |
| Mallowcap | A mushroom frog with a red spotted toadstool cap | 20 × 16 × 16 cm, about 2 kg | Indoors or outdoors |
| Crocodile | A friendly crocodile with painted eyes, low and compact | 14 × 20 × 24 cm | Indoors or outdoors |
| Capybara with orange | A calm capybara balancing a bright orange | 24 × 12 × 19 cm | Indoors or a sheltered outdoor spot |
| Honey Bear | A bear with a golden-effect paw | 24 × 16 × 16 cm | Indoors or a sheltered outdoor spot |
| Corgi | A sitting corgi with a sculpted heart | 24 × 11 × 19 cm | Indoors or a sheltered outdoor spot |
See the whole range in our garden collection.
What makes a garden ornament "unusual"?
Most garden centres sell the same few shapes: gnomes, hedgehogs, Buddha heads, a heron for the pond. An unusual ornament breaks the pattern in one of three ways:
- An unexpected animal. A capybara or a crocodile among the ferns is a surprise; another robin is not.
- Character. An expression, a hat, an attitude. The Little Critic's side-eye or Professor Grumbletoad's weary look give a corner of the garden a personality.
- Material and finish. Solid cast stone has weight and surface texture that light, hollow ornaments don't, and it takes on the garden around it with time.
Where to put an unusual garden ornament
Small characters work best where people slow down and look, not lost in the middle of a lawn.
| Spot | Why it works | Good fit |
|---|---|---|
| Pond edge or water feature | Frogs and crocodiles look at home by water | Mallowcap, Grumbletoad, Crocodile |
| Steps, path edges, by the door | Seen up close every day, at eye level as you bend | The Little Critic, Corgi |
| Fern bed, woodland corner, rockery | Half-hidden pieces reward a second look | Mallowcap, Grumbletoad |
| Patio among pots | A character between planters breaks up a row of pots | Capybara, Honey Bear, Little Critic |
| Conservatory, porch or shelf | Sheltered, so every piece in the range suits it | Any, especially the Capybara, Honey Bear and Corgi |
A simple rule: one strong character per view. Three unusual ornaments in a row compete; one by the pond and one by the back step each get noticed.
Unusual garden ornaments for gifts
A garden ornament with a face is an easy gift for someone who already has every tool: it suits gardeners, new homeowners and anyone with a balcony or windowsill. Pick the character that matches the person: the owl for the one who notices everything, the wizard frog for the one who knows best. Our gifts for garden lovers and gifts for plant lovers guides have more ideas, and our sculpted planters pair well with an ornament.
Will a stone garden ornament survive a British winter?
Cast stone is heavy and solid, and the pieces above marked "indoors or outdoors" are made for the garden. Like any stone piece, it lasts longest with a little care through the worst of winter:
- Stand it on a firm, level base where water drains away rather than pooling around it.
- Move it under cover, or indoors, in hard frost or long spells of severe weather.
- Pieces marked "sheltered outdoor spot" are happiest in a porch, under eaves or in a conservatory.
- Clean with a soft damp cloth. Avoid harsh chemicals and pressure washers.
Our guides to cleaning cast stone garden ornaments and whether to seal them go into more detail.
Handmade in the Lake District
Every ornament is made to order in our studio in Cumbria and finished by hand, including the painted eyes, the gold beak and the moon-and-stars hat. Because each piece is cast and finished individually, small variations in tone and surface texture are part of it, so no two are quite the same.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I buy unusual garden ornaments in the UK?
Our cast stone garden ornaments are made in the Lake District and sold here and in our garden collection, from wizard frogs to a capybara with an orange.
Can these ornaments stay outside all year?
Pieces marked indoor or outdoor are made for the garden. For the longest life, move any stone ornament under cover in hard frost or severe weather.
How big are they?
They are small to medium pieces, roughly 14 to 24 cm tall. Each product page gives the exact approximate size.
Are they heavy?
Yes, they are solid cast stone. The frogs and owl are about 2 kg each, heavy enough to stay put on a step or wall.
Are they painted?
Some have hand-painted details, such as the toadstool cap, the wizard hat, the owl's gold beak and glossy eyes. Others keep a plain stone finish.
How do I clean a stone garden ornament?
Wipe it with a soft damp cloth and avoid harsh chemicals or a pressure washer.
Do you make other garden pieces?
Yes: sculpted head planters and disco ball planters for patio pots, and garden memorials for remembering a pet.
From our Nest to yours.