It seems that more and more people are waking up to the spiritually restorative powers of nature and wildlife, and many of us are doing what we can to introduce a little bit more of it into our lives. One guaranteed method of achieving this goal is to invest in a bird feeding station, which will allow our feathered friends to feed and bathe in your garden.
As well as deciding which snacks you want to provide for the local wildlife, you must also decide how you want your feeding pole, stand or station to look – after all, it's your garden it'll be sitting in! For a little help and a few ideas, check out our buying guide and bird feeder recommendations below. The early bird catches the worm, so let's get going!
Quick List - Top Bird Feeding Stations
The Hutch Company
A Classic Table Brought Up to Modern Standards
Crystals
All-in-One Feeder and Bath to Attract a Wide Variety of Birds
Riverside Woodcraft
A Versatile Option Made With Rot-Resistant Wood
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Some of the most frequently found bird feeding stations at the lower end of the price scale are those supported by spikes that are driven into the ground, often further propped up by some form of stabiliser, sometimes included and other times sold separately.
The main selling of point of this variety is the price. Consisting solely of some hooks and a spiked pole, these are some of the most affordable feeders out there. If your station doesn't come with a stabiliser included, you may need to take this extra cost into account, but they're not usually very expensive.
The downside is the lack of variation in their appearance. There are only so many ways that one pole can differ from another! You'll have a choice of a different number of hooks, but most spike-supported feeding stations will be black and made of metal. You'll also need to make sure you have some soft ground to drive the spike into.
Moving up the price scale, we have the perhaps the most popular form, the free-standing bird feeding station. As the name suggests, these types of station are able to stand completely independently, whether it be through a series of legs or through having a wide base.
The great thing about free-standing bird feeding stations is how much choice you have when it comes to style, particularly where the wider base allows for more features up top. During our research, we've found tall, wooden models with cute little birdhouses perched upon them, and wider, brass models complete with flower planters.
The only real downside with a free-standing bird station is that you may have to pay a little bit more for it, depending on what it's made from, and it'll require some self-assembly once it arrives. It may also be slightly more at risk of falling over.
Next up, we have a type of bird feeding station supported, not from below, but from above – those which hang, usually from a branch or some sort of outside furniture, like a gazebo.
These stations are necessarily smaller in size so they can be hung without placing too much pressure on the supporting structure, but this lends them quite a charm, especially when made from wood and hung from a tree at the bottom of the garden.
Their small size means that hanging stations are usually quite affordable. Consider also that, because they remain suspended in the air, they're not at risk from anything on the ground – this means no chance of your feeding station being knocked over by overeager pets or excitable children!
Finally, there are stations that attach by clasp to some form of sturdy support, such as a wooden or metal railing. They're perfect if you live in a house with a balcony and, rather than feeding the birds at the bottom of your garden, are looking to entice the local wildlife to come a little bit closer to your home.
They're particularly revolutionary, however, for city dwellers, perhaps with no garden at all and just a balcony to call their own. The resultant wildlife will be more limited than in the country, but every little bit of nature helps, and you may be surprised by what birds turn up if you leave out some treats for them.
These feeding stations are usually smaller in size to prevent any risk of them falling off, but they should ideally have the option to support two trays, one for water and one for food – plenty to persuade the local birds to return for repeat visits!
Feeding stations come in a variety of sizes, but size doesn't always indicate how much space is provided for birdy treats. If you want to offer the local birds a variety of delights, in addition to the custom batch of bird seed, you'll want to look for a feeder with plenty of places to store these goodies.
Whether these additional storage spaces take the form of dividers and compartments for separating food or additional hooks for hanging extra feeders will really depend on the construction of the station itself, and you may need to take a glance at some of the product images to get an idea for how much it can hold.
If you're particularly concerned about being able to offer the local wildlife a variety of treats, then make sure you check how much space a feeding station provides for storing them.
There are squirrel proof feeders available if you are worried about other unwanted visitors getting in there and gobbling up all the goodies before the birds.
Shopping for furniture involves picking a style that complements the décor of your home, and the rules are no different when shopping for a new bird feeder – except this time, nature is your backdrop!
Naturally (no pun intended!), feeders made from wood always look fantastic in the garden, particularly when placed in close proximity to trees or flowers. Brass stations, also, while not made from a material that you'd expect to find in your garden, can work wonders to establish a tranquil outdoor space.
There are really no hard and fast rules here, and the choice is really up to you. For many people, functionality is more important than an attractive design, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't keep your eyes out for a feeding station with a style that you can appreciate every day.
A bird bath with fresh water to drink, to wash and preen themselves in, is another great opportunity to attract more bird friends.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | The Hutch Company Heavy Duty Anti-Fungal Bird Feeding Table | ![]() | A Classic Table Brought Up to Modern Standards | |
2 | Crystals Wild Bird Feeder Feeding Station | ![]() | All-in-One Feeder and Bath to Attract a Wide Variety of Birds | |
3 | Riverside Woodcraft Bird Table With Antibacterial Coating | ![]() | A Versatile Option Made With Rot-Resistant Wood | |
4 | Eva Solo Glass Bird Table | ![]() | A Unique Station That Allows Great Feeding Views | |
5 | Bronze Weather Resistant Garden Hotel | ![]() | The Perfect Balance of Beauty and Function | |
6 | ARESAT Swing Seat Hanging Bird Feeding Station | ![]() | A Delightful Little Station Great for Small Gardens | |
7 | Taylor & Brown Metal Clamp Bird Feeding and Bathing Station | ![]() | Perfect For Gardenless Urban Environments | |
8 | Woodside Heavy Duty Wild Bird Feeding Tree | ![]() | Strong and Heavy-Duty to Hold All the Feeders You Could Wish For | |
9 | Honeyfield's Two Hook Wild Bird Feeding Station | ![]() | A Cheap and Cheerful Dual Station | |
10 | Nature Decor Acrylic Clear Window Bird Feeder | ![]() | Get Up Close And Personal With This Window Feeding Station |
Simplicity is the name of the game with this bird feeding station. Built from wood in a sustainable manner (two trees are planted for every one cut down), it reaches an impressive height and its four legs prevent it from falling over, whether it finds a home on your lawn or garden path. The anti-fungal coating is a welcome addition, too.
It's equally simple in its design, featuring only a flat table and a cute little roof. That said, it serves its purpose excellently and without complication, and its stripped down, unpretentious design gives it a pastoral charm that makes it our number one pick.
If you're looking for an introduction to feeding wild birds that involves more than just a couple of hooks, here's your perfect solution. With four hooks and two tray holders, this station is sure to attract flocks of feathered friends to your garden.
There's plenty of versatility here, with trays that you can fill with suet or water and hanging feeders that you can fill with your choice of treat. Amazingly, all of this comes at a seriously competitive price. If you're just introducing yourself to the world of birdlife, look no further!
The hand-made construction of this feeding station give it a rustic touch that's just perfect for taking pride of place in your garden. With a variety of different surfaces – two tables and several hooks for hanging – you've also got versatility when it comes to the type of food you want to grace the local wildlife with.
Another standout feature of this station is its anti-fungal and antibacterial coating. Too often, the British weather leaves wood prone to rot, but this coating ensures your stand will last for years to come. It's clearly been made with love and care, and that makes it a fantastic choice for anyone that wants to encourage wildlife into their garden.
Highly innovative while remaining minimal in its appearance, this unique bird table serves as a feeding tray and bird bath in one. As one bird tucks in to his breakfast, his feathered friend can enjoy a bath up above.
Providing quite a contrast to traditional wooden offerings, this bird table is really rather stylish in its appearance, being bold and eye-catching without being garish. The glass construction also allows unobstructed 360-degree views of the birds as they feed, which is a lovely bonus.
The particularly garden-proud among us will love this beautiful bronze-effect 'garden hotel', which features a little bit of everything. Of course, you get a tray for filling with seeds or water, but you'll also get a planter for your favourite flowers, as well as a solar-powered light, which will illuminate your garden on summer evenings.
With a fairly sizeable 105 cm height, it makes an impressive piece of ornamentation in any garden, but it remains subtle and refined while doing so. With its classy bronze sheen and multiple-purpose function, we think this feeding station would make a fantastic addition to any garden.
Let's be honest – the birds don't really mind what their feeding station looks like as long as they can use it to fill their bellies. The visual appeal of garden furniture is primarily a human concern, and this delightful little bird feeding station, shaped like a little bench, is sure to charm.
It's not actually made of wood – though you'd be forgiven for thinking it was – but repurposed plastic, so you can buy knowing that you're doing something positive for the world, as well as its wildlife. It's incredibly affordable too, making this an irresistible purchase for all nature lovers.
If you've got a balcony or ledge that you feel could do with a little more wildlife, look no further than this feeding station, which can be clamped onto a variety of railings, where it can then hold anything from seeds to water and even flowerpots.
It's particularly fantastic for those who live in urban areas without a garden but are keen to introduce just a little bit of wildlife. You might not spot any of our nation's rarer breeds, but they say that contact with the natural world is good for the soul, and for such a low price, it's definitely worth giving it a go.
Stepping things up another gear, we've got another pole, this time with several branches for hanging things from. With ten hooks of a variety of shapes and sizes, you'll never be stuck for a place to hang your garden wildlife's favourite food!
Its aluminium construction is heavy duty and very sturdy, and its black design is minimal. Those who prefer simplicity may not appreciate the multitude of intertwining branches, but it's perfect for those that want to ensure that the birds in their garden don't go hungry!
If you're looking for something cheap and cheerful, or perhaps you've already got a few hanging bird feeders that you'd like to centralise in your garden, this this two hook feeding station will more than suffice.
Stick it into the ground, and, in an instant, you'll have a sturdy pole for hanging anything from water trays to seed feeders. It goes without saying that the stand is all you're getting here, so you'll need an extra few pounds for any feeders or trays you'd like to hang.
One of the best things about feeding stations is that they encourage a variety of different birds into your garden. While it's all well and good spotting new breeds from afar, there's nothing quite like seeing them up close, and that exactly what this transparent feeding box will allow you to do.
Attach it to your window and fill it with their favourite delicacies and then, providing you keep still, you'll get perhaps the closest view you'll ever get of wild birds. While those with spacious gardens might want something larger and more decorative, it's still a lovely option for kids' classrooms, as a gift, or just for your own viewing pleasure.
No. 1: The Hutch Company|Heavy Duty Anti-Fungal Bird Feeding Table
No. 2: Crystals|Wild Bird Feeder Feeding Station
No. 3: Riverside Woodcraft|Bird Table With Antibacterial Coating
No. 4: Eva Solo|Glass Bird Table
No. 5: |Bronze Weather Resistant Garden Hotel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games