Olympic champion Sally Gunnell surprised us with her stunning garden - we're adding her firepit to our wishlist ASAP
Her solo stove fire pit and patio are outdoor living goals
Sally Gunnel might be known for a lot of things, most notably winning gold in the 400 metre hurdles at the 1992 Olympics, but the owner of a secretly stunning garden? That one came as a surprise to us too.
The Paris Olympics kicks off today, and to get us in the mood we've been having a nosey around the homes of past Olympic champions on Instagram. Out of all the homes it was a reel of Sally Gunnell lounging in her garden that stopped us in our tracks.
In the reel, Sally is sat in a chic black outdoor armchair on her patio looking out over her rustic Mediterranean-style garden. The whole set-up is elegant and effortless, but what ties it all together is a Solo stove fire pit at the centre of her outdoor seating ideas.
A post shared by OLY Champ | Keynote Speaker | Influencer (@sallygunnell)
A photo posted by on
If you're in the market for the best fire pit, it doesn't get much better than a Solo stove. Our team of reviewers have tested both the Solo Stove Ranger Fire Pit which our reviewer happily awarded 4 and half stars calling it '(almost) the perfect fire pit', and the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 which also received 4 stars and a rave review.
The Solo stoves USP is less smoke, more flames so you don't get any of that bonfire smell in your hair after sitting next to it. Both reviewers found the firepits were more or less smokeless, used very little fuel, and produced plenty of heat.
Really the only downside to a Solo stove is the big price tag. You're looking at £184 for the more affordable Solo Stove Ranger Fire Pit, and £245 for the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0.
While that might sound like a lot both our reviewers agree that it 'punches way above regular fire pits' and it also comes with a lifetime guarantee. One of our reviewers went as far to point out that where it's going to get expensive is that you're going to love it so much you'll want to buy all the accessories to go with it.
Get the Ideal Home Newsletter
Sign up to our newsletter for style and decor inspiration, house makeovers, project advice and more.
It's hard to tell exactly which model Sally has in her garden as they both look very similar, only varying in size. But if you do decide to invest in the Solo stove to recreate a similar look make sure you pick the right size for your garden and needs.
If you are gathering less than 8 people around the firepit you can safely opt for the smaller, more affordable Solo stove ranger. If you're planning to entertain more then consider investing in the Bonfire 2.0 as the centrepiece of your next garden gathering.
Have you been tempted to invest in a solo stove by Sally Gunnell's garden?
Rebecca Knight has been the Deputy Editor on the Ideal Home Website since 2022. She graduated with a Masters degree in magazine journalism from City, University of London in 2018, before starting her journalism career as a staff writer on women's weekly magazines. She fell into the world of homes and interiors after joining the Ideal Home website team in 2019 as a Digital Writer. In 2020 she moved into position of Homes News Editor working across Homes & Gardens, LivingEtc, Real Homes, Gardeningetc and Ideal Home covering everything from the latest viral cleaning hack to the next big interior trend.
-
Is your garden room breaking the law without you realising it? Experts explain how to tell and what to do if it is
Your garden room might give you an ideal bit of extra space, but is it falling foul of rules and regulations?
By Sarah Handley
-
When to cut back ivy for fresher, denser growth — garden experts warn against cutting it back too early
Its glossy green leaves add a welcome pop of colour in winter months, but knowing when to cut ivy back is key to its upkeep
By Kayleigh Dray
-
Are sage green kitchens still trending in 2025?
This classic shade is still turning heads this year with these subtle updates
By Linda Clayton
-
What is crop rotation? The secret expert gardeners use to guarantee a successful bumper crop of vegetables every year
It's the key to vegetable garden success
By Sophie King
-
How to chit seed potatoes — 4 simple steps, and why gardening experts say it's key to bumper harvests
Grow more gardener's gold than ever before
By Sophie King
-
I was sceptical, but these expert-approved plants and flowers convinced me that Mocha Mousse, Pantone's Colour of the Year, is the perfect colour for gardens
These are the best varieties for coffee and chocolate tones
By Sophie King
-
How to improve drainage in a garden — 4 DIY options drainage experts say will solve waterlogging
These are the best garden drainage systems you can install yourself
By Katie Sims
-
Are greenhouses worth it? 5 of the best benefits for your most productive garden yet
We've weighed up the pros and cons of buying a greenhouse
By Sophie King
-
Where should I place a monstera plant in my home? The 3 best spots according to feng shui and plant experts
Help you and your plant babies thrive by styling them up in the best spots in the house
By Holly Walsh
-
What is a soakaway? Drainage pros reveal how this system could be the solution to standing water in your garden
We speak to the experts about soakaways, including how they work and which homes can benefit from them
By Katie Sims
-
Do you need to clean a patio in winter? Paving experts say it’s key to avoiding these 3 expensive (and potentially dangerous) consequences
Have you cleaned your patio yet this winter?
By Lauren Bradbury