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How to Buy a Sundial

Sundials are a beautiful way to add a touch of history to your garden. Humans have always been fascinated by the concept of time and methods for keeping up with time, and the sundial has graced gardens as both time-keepers and decorative accent pieces for centuries.

Sundials are very popular gifts, especially for weddings and anniversaries, as the concepts of “time” and “everlasting love” are so closely related. Many of our sundials include popular inscriptions such as “Grow Old Along With Me The Best Is Yet To Be.” Our sundials are primarily decorative, as they have beautiful, intricate patterns and designs, and they will tell time within approximately15 degrees of the correct time if set up properly.

When purchasing a sundial, your primary considerations will most likely be the sundial’s location in your yard or garden and the type of sundial you prefer. The vast majority of sundials are designed to be mounted on a pedestal. To pick out a sundial and pedestal, we recommend browsing through our Sundial and Pedestal Sets category. If you already have a pedestal or if you plan to place your sundial on a table or other flat surface, you can purchase sundials separately. We also offer a small selection of wall-mounted sundials which can be placed on an outdoor wall and add a great deal of charm when overlooking a side garden or patio.

You may want to consider armillary sundials if you are looking for a larger or more prominent sundial. These round sundials consist of 3 or more rings which create a sphere. These rings support the gnomon, which is the axis of the sphere (often an arrow) and the mechanism for telling time.

Please note that we also offer armillary spheres, which are not sundials. Armillary spheres were used as models of the universe for ancient civilizations when they would teach basic concepts of astronomy. They do not function as time-telling devices.

Birdlovers can combine the traditional look of a sundial with functionality by choosing a birdbath-sundial. These sundials have a basin that can be filled with water for the birds to enjoy.

For the person that wants a very accurate sundial (accuracy within 2 minutes), the scientific sundial is ideal. These sundials are recommended not for the casual user but for someone really serious about how sundials work. To purchase a scientific sundial, you must first find your latitude, since fully functional sundials must be designed for each latitude.

To find your latitude, as well as to locate detailed instructions for setting up your scientific sundial, you may go to www.spot-on-sundials.co.uk/latitude.html. Next, you will need to find the scientific sundial for your latitude. This information will be in the product description of each scientific sundial.

Sundials add a touch of elegance and history to any garden. Whether making the sundial a focal point of your garden or an accent piece, you are sure to love your sundial for years to come.