Lighting poles, columns and lamp posts raise the luminaire to working height and spread light evenly across a garden, path, driveway or car park. Put simply: the right lighting pole decides whether you can actually see the steps and the gate after dark, or only guess where they are. This category brings together garden lamp posts, park columns and street lighting poles — in steel and aluminium, from 2.6 to 6 metres, ready for modern LED luminaires.
Know what trips most people up? Not the purchase itself, but matching the height, material and mounting to a specific spot. This guide walks you through each of those decisions — with real numbers, tables and an FAQ — so the post you order genuinely fits your site.
A lighting pole (in lower, decorative form usually called a lamp post; in commercial use a lighting column) is a vertical support with a fitting for the luminaire — either post-top or on an outreach bracket. Cabling runs inside, and from about 4 m up you'll find an access door with a fuse/cut-out. A typical set is post, base or root, an optional bracket and the LED lantern — matched to each other, from spigot diameter to wind-load class.
Poles are usually grouped by use, material and cross-section. For gardens and parks these matter most:
By cross-section you'll meet round (tapered), square and octagonal columns. In a garden looks lead the decision; on a road, aerodynamics and wind-load class matter too.
This question comes up in almost every conversation. Each material has its own character:
| Material | Strengths | Watch out for | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aluminium (incl. cast) | Light, rust-free, elegant; anodised or powder-coated in RAL colours | Dearer than steel | Gardens, parks, prestige settings |
| Steel, hot-dip galvanised | Very strong, affordable, widest height range | Heavier; needs a coating (galv + powder) | Roads, car parks, estate streets |
| Cast iron | Authentic heritage look, solid feel | Heavy; needs repainting over time | Victorian, conservation-area schemes |
Honestly? For a typical garden aluminium usually wins — light, smart and it won't rust. Hot-dip galvanised steel comes into its own where budget and load matter, while cast iron nails the period look for heritage settings.
The rule is simple: the taller the pole, the wider the spacing and the larger the lit area — but also the stronger the luminaire and the more serious the foundation. This table helps you match height to place:
| Height | Where | Typical spacing |
|---|---|---|
| 2.6–3 m | Paths, patios, entrances | approx. 8–12 m |
| 4–4.5 m | Garden paths, driveways, private car parks, foot and cycle ways | approx. 12–16 m |
| 6 m | Estate streets, larger car parks, roundabouts | approx. 20–25 m |
Not sure? Narrow the range with the height filter to 3 m, 4 m, 4.5 m or 6 m posts and compare models side by side. In gardens and residential settings the 4–4.5 m band is chosen most often.
How a pole is anchored matters as much as its height — it decides stability for years to come:
For roadside columns, note compliance with BS EN 40 and the wind-load class — set by height and the luminaire's wind area. Passively-safe columns are also available for roads. In a garden the requirements are lighter, but a solid base still pays off.
Before ordering a lantern, check the spigot (top) diameter — a common standard is Ø60 mm — and the fixing: post-top over the tube, or on a bracket. For outdoor use the IP rating counts: IP44 suits sheltered spots, while IP54–IP65 is the safe choice for free-standing posts. LED modules and E27 lampholders (for LED retrofit) dominate as light sources. A single post can carry more than one lantern where paths cross.
Finish is about both looks and durability. The most common are:
Dark tones recede by day and let the light take the stage at night. Match the colour to the façade and the rest of your outdoor furniture.
It isn't only the pole that sets the mood — the light hanging on it matters just as much. In a garden, warm white (2700–3000 K) works best: cosy and less attractive to insects. For paths, car parks and roads, neutral white (4000 K) renders contrast and colour better. Three extras are worth considering:
This isn't about "as bright as possible", but even, comfortable light. In practice a garden path is well served by 800–1500 lm, while an estate street calls for 3000–6000 lm and above. Watch the distribution — asymmetric throws light over the carriageway, symmetric spreads it across a square — and the upward share (ULOR). Less sky-glow means better sleep and a friendlier night sky.
A few proven scenarios to start from:
Good tip: light in layers — posts give the general light, while spike spots and wall lights add accents.
A well-protected pole lasts many years. Hot-dip galvanised, powder-coated steel and anodised aluminium are practically maintenance-free — an occasional check of the fuse cut-out, tightening of connections and a look at the coating after winter are enough. Cast iron rewards an occasional repaint to keep its finish.
Paths and patios are fine with 2.6–3 m; garden paths and driveways suit 4–4.5 m. Leave taller 6 m posts for estate streets and larger car parks.
Aluminium is lighter, won't rust and looks smarter in a garden; hot-dip galvanised steel is cheaper and tougher under load. Choose aluminium for prestige settings, steel for heavily used routes.
Yes. Posts in this category are prepared for LED luminaires — post-top or on a bracket. Check the spigot diameter (often Ø60 mm) and the fixing method.
Low garden posts are usually dug in or set in a ground socket. Posts from about 4 m up sit on a pre-cast foundation with an anchor cage — safer, and required roadside.
IP44 suffices in sheltered spots; for free-standing posts in the rain, IP54 to IP65 is recommended. The rating mainly concerns the luminaire.
Steel poles are hot-dip galvanised and powder-coated; aluminium is anodised or RAL-painted; cast iron is painted. So they shrug off rain, frost and sun for years.
Warm white 2700–3000 K is recommended — cosy and less insect-attracting. Neutral white 4000 K suits car parks and roads where contrast matters.
A garden path usually needs 800–1500 lm; an estate street 3000–6000 lm and more. Even distribution matters more than the raw number.
Ready to choose? Browse the models above, use the height and material filters — and if you need to floodlight a large, open area from a single tall point, see our lighting masts.
