Pergola vs Gazebo vs Arbour: What's the Difference? (UK Guide, 2026)

The quick answer: a pergola is an open, slatted-roof structure of posts and beams that gives partial shade and defines an outdoor room; a gazebo is a fully roofed, usually hexagonal or octagonal building that offers complete shelter and rain cover; an arbour is a small arched, walk-through feature that frames an entrance or a single bench. In short, a pergola shapes a space, a gazebo encloses one, and an arbour marks a spot. For most UK gardens that want shade, structure and long-term value without the cost of a full building, a timber freestanding pergola is the sweet spot.

In this article

• What is the difference between a pergola, gazebo and arbour?
• What is a pergola, and when is it the right choice?
• What is a gazebo, and when should you choose one?
• What is an arbour, and where does it fit?
• Which adds the most value, and what do they cost?
• Do you need planning permission for any of them?
• Which should you choose for a UK garden?
• FAQ

What is the difference between a pergola, gazebo and arbour?

All three are garden structures, but they solve different problems. The fastest way to tell them apart is by roof, size and purpose. A pergola has an open roof of rafters and gives dappled shade over a patio or dining area. A gazebo has a solid, closed roof and works like a small outdoor room you can shelter inside. An arbour is the smallest of the three: a narrow arch you walk through or sit under, often clothed in climbing plants.

Feature	Pergola	Gazebo	Arbour
Roof	Open slatted rafters, partial shade	Solid closed roof, full cover	Small arched top, mostly decorative
Typical shape	Square or rectangular	Hexagonal or octagonal	Narrow arch or tunnel
Main purpose	Shade and structure over a dining or lounge area	Fully sheltered seating or dining room outdoors	Entrance feature or single seat
Footprint	Medium to large	Medium	Small
Typical UK cost	£800 to £3,000 (timber)	£1,500 to £6,000	£150 to £600
Best for	Patios, outdoor dining, hot tubs, climbing plants	All-weather shelter, a defined outdoor room	Pathways, garden entrances, a quiet seat

What is a pergola, and when is it the right choice?

A pergola is an open framework of vertical posts supporting horizontal beams and rafters. It does not fully enclose the space or block all the rain, and that is exactly the point: it creates a defined outdoor room while keeping air and light moving. A pergola is the right choice when you want to zone a patio, shade a dining table from the midday sun, grow climbing plants overhead, or give a hot tub a sense of enclosure without building a solid roof.

Timber pergolas are popular in UK gardens because they are cost-effective, they suit both traditional and modern homes, and a good kiln-dried, pressure-treated frame lasts for many years with only occasional care. A freestanding model can go anywhere in the garden rather than being tied to a house wall, which makes it the most flexible of the three structures here.

What is a gazebo, and when should you choose one?

A gazebo is a freestanding structure with a solid, closed roof and often a raised floor. It is usually hexagonal or octagonal, and because it is fully covered it offers the most reliable shelter of the three: you can sit under it in rain as well as sun. Choose a gazebo when your priority is genuine all-weather cover for a fixed seating or dining spot, and when you are happy for that spot to feel like a small enclosed room rather than an open part of the garden.

The trade-offs are cost and openness. Gazebos generally cost more than a timber pergola, their solid roofs cast heavier, more permanent shade, and their room-like footprint can dominate a smaller garden. If you love the feeling of sky and dappled light over your patio, a pergola will usually feel more relaxed.

What is an arbour, and where does it fit?

An arbour is the smallest and most decorative of the three. It is typically a narrow arch, often with a built-in bench or a walk-through tunnel, made from timber or metal and designed to be covered in climbing roses, honeysuckle or clematis. Traditionally an arbour marks the entrance to a garden or the transition from one area to another, or gives you a single quiet seat in a scented corner.

An arbour is the right pick when you want a charming focal point or a garden entrance rather than a space to entertain under. It is the cheapest and quickest to install, but it will not shade a dining table or cover a seating group, so it complements a pergola rather than replacing one.

Which adds the most value, and what do they cost?

As a rough UK guide, an arbour costs from around £150 to £600, a timber pergola from £800 to £3,000, a louvred aluminium pergola from £3,000 to £12,000, and a gazebo from £1,500 to £6,000. In terms of adding usable living space and long-term appeal, a well-built pergola tends to offer the strongest balance: it creates a genuine outdoor room and lifts the design of the whole garden, at a fraction of the cost and disruption of a solid extension or a large gazebo.

If you want the pergola look with a little more presence, a premium timber model adds curved braces and a heavier frame for a more architectural finish.

Do you need planning permission for any of them?

In the vast majority of UK cases, pergolas, gazebos and arbours are treated as garden structures under Permitted Development Rights and do not need planning permission. The usual conditions apply to all three: the structure sits behind the principal elevation of the house rather than in the front garden, it stays within height limits, and all outbuildings together cover no more than 50 percent of the land around your original house. Listed buildings, conservation areas and unusually tall structures are the common exceptions worth checking. For the full detail, see our guide on pergola planning permission in the UK.

Which should you choose for a UK garden?

Choose a pergola if you want to shade and define a patio, dining area or hot tub while keeping the space open and airy, and you want strong value for money. Choose a gazebo if full, reliable rain cover for one fixed spot matters more than openness, and you have room for a building-like footprint. Choose an arbour if you want a decorative entrance, a garden focal point or a single scented seat rather than an entertaining space.

For most people weighing all three, a timber freestanding pergola is the practical winner: flexible placement, partial shade, room for climbing plants, and a look that suits British gardens. If your patio sits in a corner or against two boundaries, a corner model makes the most of the space.

Frequently asked questions

Is a pergola or a gazebo better for a UK garden?

For most UK gardens, a pergola is the more versatile and better value choice. It defines a patio or dining area, gives partial shade, suits climbing plants and keeps the space open. A gazebo is better only if your top priority is full, reliable rain cover for one fixed spot and you have room for a building-like footprint.

What is the difference between an arbour and a pergola?

An arbour is a small arched, walk-through feature that frames an entrance or holds a single bench, usually clothed in climbing plants. A pergola is a larger framework of posts and beams that shades and defines a whole patio or seating area. An arbour is a focal point; a pergola is a usable outdoor room.

Do pergolas, gazebos and arbours need planning permission in the UK?

In most cases no. All three are usually allowed under Permitted Development Rights, provided they sit behind the front of the house, stay within height limits, and all outbuildings together cover no more than 50 percent of your garden. Listed buildings and conservation areas are the main exceptions to check.

Which garden structure is the cheapest?

An arbour is the cheapest, often between £150 and £600. A timber pergola typically runs from £800 to £3,000, a gazebo from £1,500 to £6,000, and a louvred aluminium pergola from £3,000 to £12,000. Timber pergolas give the strongest balance of cost, usable space and long-term value.

Can you grow climbing plants over all three?

Yes. Arbours and pergolas are especially suited to climbers like roses, wisteria, honeysuckle and clematis, because their open frames give stems something to twine through. A gazebo's solid roof means plants grow up the sides rather than over the top.