Lanterns

Outdoor lanterns are the defining fitting for traditional and period exterior lighting schemes, wall-mounted, post-top, or hanging designs that bring character and warmth to entrances, driveways, and garden walls. Browse alongside decorative wall lights for more contemporary styles, PIR wall lights for sensor-activated options, and the full outdoor wall lights range.

The classic exterior fitting that never goes out of style

The outdoor lantern is one of the oldest forms of exterior lighting, and its longevity is justified. The format, a light source enclosed within a protective housing, often with a translucent or glass panel, combines practical weather protection with a visual warmth that bare bulb or panel fittings struggle to replicate. A lantern at an entrance says something about a building: that someone has paid attention to how it looks after dark.

Traditional lantern designs in black, antique brass, or bronze suit period and vernacular architecture, Victorian terraces, Edwardian semis, Georgian townhouses, and rural stone buildings. Coach-lamp and carriage-lamp forms with curved arms and bevelled glass panels are the classic reference. More contemporary lantern interpretations, clean cubic housings with clear glass panels and minimal framing, translate the format into a modern context without losing the warmth of the enclosed light effect.

Modern outdoor lanterns use LED light sources rather than the incandescent bulbs of the original format. A filament-style LED (2200–2700K) viewed through a glass panel produces the warm, characterful glow traditionally associated with lantern lighting, while running at a fraction of the energy and lasting far longer. For post and driveway mounting, see our post and bollard lights. Lyco offers free delivery on all orders over £70.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are outdoor lanterns weatherproof?

All outdoor lanterns in Lyco's range are IP-rated for outdoor installation. Most carry IP44 as a minimum, which is suitable for typical UK outdoor conditions. For exposed positions such as gable ends or coastal locations, look for IP54 or IP65 and consider a corrosion-resistant finish. The IP rating is listed in each product specification.

What bulb do outdoor lanterns use?

Most modern outdoor lanterns use E27 (Edison screw) or B22 (bayonet cap) LED bulbs. Where the bulb is visible through the glass panel, a filament-style LED at 2200–2700K produces the warm, characteristic glow traditionally associated with lantern lighting. Some lanterns use integrated LED modules, in which case no separate bulb is required or replaceable.

Can outdoor lanterns be fitted to a PIR sensor?

Yes. Lanterns connected to a mains switch circuit can have a standalone PIR sensor or dusk to dawn controller wired inline to add automatic switching, provided the sensor's rated load covers the lantern's wattage. Alternatively, browse our PIR wall lights range for fittings with integrated sensor control.

What is the difference between a wall lantern and a post lantern?

A wall lantern is designed to be fixed directly to a wall surface via a back plate or bracket. A post lantern is designed to be mounted on top of a lamppost or bollard column. Many lantern head designs are available in both configurations; check the product listing to confirm the mounting type.

Do you sell outdoor lanterns near me?

Lyco delivers outdoor lanterns to all UK mainland addresses with next-working-day delivery as standard. Orders over £70 qualify for free delivery, and same-day dispatch applies to the vast majority of in-stock products across the range.