Charles Bentley wins big at Ideal Home Awards 2026 with four accolades, including Garden Retailer of the Year

East Midlands based business Charles Bentley is celebrating standout success at the Ideal Home Awards 2026, securing four category wins, including the prestigious Garden Retailer of the Year title.

Held in London on 28th May 2026, the awards recognised excellence across the home and garden sector, with Charles Bentley impressing judges through its combination of thoughtful product design, accessible pricing and strong retail credentials. The brand took top honours in Best Outdoor Dining Set, Best Fire Pit and Best Small Garden Solution, alongside the overall retail accolade.

Leading the wins, the Almada 6-Seater Dining Set stood out for its elegant yet practical design across the Outdoor Furniture category. Featuring a generous round tabletop with a contemporary wood-effect finish, it creates an inviting focal point that encourages sociable, relaxed dining – equally suited to family meals or entertaining guests on long summer evenings.

The Santiago Steel Fire Pit secured the Best Fire Pit award thanks to its striking hexagonal design, robust construction and ability to combine warmth with atmosphere. Crafted from durable black powder-coated steel and iron, it offers year-round appeal as both a functional heating solution and a stylish garden centrepiece.

Rounding off the product wins, the 2.7m Balcony Garden Half Parasol was recognised as Best Small Garden Solution. Designed with practicality in mind, its easy-to-use crank mechanism allows users to adjust shade effortlessly throughout the day, while its compact, space-saving form makes it ideal for smaller outdoor areas.

Crowning this success, the Garden Retailer of the Year award highlights Charles Bentley’s unique ability to balance heritage with innovation. With a history spanning over 165 years and six generations, the family-run business continues to uphold its reputation for quality and reliability, while evolving its offering to meet the needs of today’s consumer.

From expanding its range of affordable, design-led outdoor living products to introducing innovations such as the ottimo Searsmith Kamado collection, the brand consistently delivers value without compromising on performance or style. Supported by a loyal workforce, strong customer satisfaction and active community engagement, Charles Bentley stands out as a modern retailer rooted in traditional values, making it a deserving winner across multiple categories.

James Bentley, managing director at Charles Bentley comments: “We are incredibly proud to have won four Ideal Home Awards 2026, across a wide range of categories, including the highly coveted Garden Retailer of the Year title.

“As a family-run business, it is hugely important to us to maintain and uphold our strong reputation, while continuing to offer our customers the very best in quality outdoor furniture and home products.

“The Ideal Home Awards are a fantastic recognition of that commitment, and they reinforce that our products are genuinely award-winning choices. We are delighted to have achieved gold across so many categories.”

To find out more about the Ideal Home Awards and its winners, visit: https://www.idealhome.co.uk/garden/ideal-home-awards-2026-garden-winners 

To explore Charles Bentley’s wide range of outdoor furniture, barbecues and accessories, see charlesbentley.com

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Editors notes

Established in 1860, Charles Bentley is a sixth-generation family business and the UK’s leading manufacturer of brushware. What started as a chimney-sweeping brushes company has grown into a trusted British brand, with over 160 years of experience creating high-quality brushware for homes, businesses, and industry. Today, more than two million brushes and brooms are made every year, combining traditional values with modern manufacturing to meet the demands of customers across the UK and beyond. Alongside its brushware heritage, Charles Bentley is now known for a wide range of home, garden, and leisure products, from garden furniture and parasols to storage, barbecues, and decorative touches. Every piece is thoughtfully designed to bring comfort, style and practicality to everyday living. Still based in Loughborough, Charles Bentley continues to innovate while staying true to its long-standing values of quality, sustainability, and dependable customer service. Whether it’s a hand-finished broom or a beautifully crafted piece of garden furniture, the Bentley name is trusted by generations to deliver products that enhance everyday life.