Best Twine in the UK: Where to Buy, What to Choose, and How to Save

Why the right twine matters for every project

Twine is one of those deceptively simple tools that quietly holds a lot of your day-to-day work together — literally. Whether you’re tying up a bundle of kindling, hanging up plant supports, wrapping handmade gifts, or tackling a craft project, the type of twine you pick will affect durability, appearance, and safety. Pick the wrong strand and you end up wrestling with fraying, breakage, or an ugly knot. Pick the right one and the job feels almost effortless, like choosing the right paintbrush for a detail stroke.

Common twine materials and when to use them

Natural jute twine

Jute twine is warm, fibrous, and eco-friendly, with a natural brown look that suits rustic crafts and garden tasks. It’s perfect for tying seedling bundles, making rustic decor, or labeling pots. Jute is breathable and compostable, but it can degrade outdoors over time — think months, not years — so it’s best for indoor or short-term outdoor jobs that don’t demand heavy load-bearing.

Sisal and hemp twine

Sisal and hemp are tougher than jute and stand up better to abrasion and weather. If you need durable natural fibre for tying heavier garden plants, supporting climbing vegetables, or crafting pet toys, sisal or hemp is a strong choice. These fibres often last longer in wet conditions and can handle heavier pulling forces measured in tens of pounds.

Cotton and baker’s twine

Cotton twine — including colourful baker’s twine — is soft, flexible, and easy to knot, which makes it a favourite for gift-wrapping, sewing accents, macramé detail, and food-safe wrapping in baking. Cotton won’t be the strongest under heavy loads, but for presentation-focused projects where appearance matters, it’s the go-to.

Polypropylene and plastic twine

Polypropylene twine looks slicker and resists rot, mildew, and moisture — ideal for outdoor uses, shipping, and bundling where exposure to wet conditions is expected. It’s cheaper per foot and often sold on large reels in bright colours. The trade-off is that it’s less eco-friendly and can be slippery to knot, so you may need a knot with more turns or a heat-sealed end to prevent unraveling.

Nylon and high-strength synthetic cord

Nylon twine and braided synthetic cords are where you go for tensile strength. They have excellent stretch and shock resistance and hold up under repeated use. If you’re tying down loads, securing tarpaulins, or making heavy-duty outdoor rigs, look for twine rated in pounds of breaking strength — many heavy synthetics list 50 lb, 100 lb, or more.

How to choose the right thickness and length

Pick the diameter based on the task

Thickness matters. For delicate crafts or gift bows, a strand that’s 1/16 inch or thinner looks elegant. For gardening and everyday household use, 1/8 inch to 3/16 inch is a versatile middle ground. For heavy loads, opt for 1/4 inch or thicker braided cord. Think of twine like rope on a scale — the thicker it is, the more load it can safely take.

Buy the length you’ll actually use

Twine is commonly sold in balls, hanks, or reels ranging from small 10 to 50 foot spools for crafts up to several hundred feet for garden or industrial reels. If you regularly tie up plants or make lots of parcels, a 200 to 500 foot reel can be more economical. For occasional use, a small ball saves space and stays fresher in storage.

Top UK stores to buy twine (online and in-store)

B&Q

B&Q is a handy choice for garden and DIY twines — think jute, sisal, and polypropylene reels. Their stock often includes reels that range from small 33 foot balls to larger 328 foot reels for bigger jobs. B&Q is convenient if you want to see fibre quality in person and match colour or thickness before you buy.

Wickes

Wickes targets homeowners and tradespeople, offering robust polypropylene and natural fibre options. You’ll commonly find heavier-duty cord for outdoor tasks and gardening. If you’re buying for a project that needs predictable strength, Wickes’ line-up tends to include more workhorse products with clear strength guidance.

Screwfix

Screwfix is the place to go when strength and spec are important. Their nylon and polypropylene twines are aimed at trades, so expect industrial reels and measured breaking strength in pounds. This is a solid bet when you need to tie down materials or use twine in a workshop setting.

Homebase

Homebase combines craft-friendly options with gardening staples. You’ll find natural jute and baker’s twine for projects alongside weatherproof plastic twine for outdoor use. Homebase is often a middle-ground retailer where homeowners can pick a reel that serves both function and form.

Hobbycraft

If your focus is crafting, Hobbycraft has a colourful and varied selection: thin cotton baker’s twine, coloured jute, and decorative strands for scrapbooking, weaving, and handmade gifts. Hobbycraft sells in smaller quantities too, which is perfect if you want a selection of colours and textures without committing to a huge reel.

The Range

The Range often stocks both practical and decorative twines. From rustic jute for home décor to tougher polypropylene for garden jobs, it’s a convenient one-stop for mixed projects. They usually carry a range of lengths, making it easy to choose based on how much you’ll use.

Dunelm and Robert Dyas

Homeware stores like Dunelm and Robert Dyas tend to focus on decorative and utility twine ideal for wrapping, storage, and light DIY. You’ll get a balance of aesthetics and everyday utility — attractive ropes for home displays and reliable twine for tying bundles around the house.

Amazon UK, eBay, and Etsy

Online marketplaces give you enormous variety and competitive pricing. Amazon UK and eBay are great for bulk reels and industrial supplies, while Etsy is ideal for speciality or artisan twines — hand-dyed baker’s twine or ethically sourced hemp. Keep an eye on seller ratings and product descriptions, especially when tensile strength or food-safety is a factor.

Choosing twine for specific projects

Gardening and plant supports

For tying tomato vines, supporting climbing beans, or forming a trellis, choose twine that balances strength and gentleness. Sisal and hemp are strong yet kind to stems, while polypropylene will resist rot. Aim for lengths in feet that match your trellis spans — 10 to 30 foot bundles are common for small-home allotments.

Crafts, macramé, and décor

Crafts often call for texture and colour, so cotton or coloured jute shines here. For macramé, thicker cord in 3/16 inch to 1/4 inch gives more definition to knots. If you want a neat finished look, choose twine that doesn’t shed fibres and can be ironed lightly to remove creases.

Parcel tying and packing

When bundling packages, baker’s twine or polypropylene both work depending on whether aesthetics matter. For secure parcels that might travel, opt for stronger synthetics with a bit of stretch so knots hold through handling. For boutique parcels where presentation counts, cotton baker’s twine gives a classic finish.

Baking and food-safe uses

Always use cotton baker’s twine for tying roasts or trussing poultry — it’s food-safe and won’t melt in the oven. These spools are usually small, measured in feet, and easy to store. Avoid synthetic twine in cooking situations.

Practical shopping tips to save money

Want to keep costs down without sacrificing quality? Buy in bulk if you use twine regularly — larger reels reduce cost per foot. Compare prices between garden centres, hardware stores, and marketplaces; trades suppliers often have better value for heavy-duty twine. Look for multi-pack offers at craft stores if you want multiple colours. Don’t forget to factor in shipping when buying online: local click-and-collect can often beat delivery fees.

How to store and care for twine

Storage is simple but makes a big difference. Keep twine in a cool, dry place to prevent mildew on natural fibres and prevent UV degradation on synthetics. A sealed plastic box or felt bag keeps dust and insects away. When using long reels, unwind only what you need and reseal the end with a small piece of tape or a knot to stop tangling — think of it like managing a garden hose to avoid kinks.

Sustainability: choosing eco-friendly twine

If sustainability matters to you, natural twines like jute, hemp, and cotton are compostable and usually biodegradable within a reasonable time frame. Look for certifications or plain labelling about natural fibre content. Avoid disposable plastic twine for single-use projects; instead choose a recyclable synthetic or a reusable natural option. For outdoor longevity with environmental concerns, consider hemp — it lasts without synthetic additives and is more sustainable than virgin plastic options.

Safety tips and best practices

Always size your twine to the load. A strand that looks fine might not handle a sudden shock load — when in doubt, add redundancy with a second strand. For heavy loads, knot properly or use rated fasteners instead of relying on a single knot. Keep twine away from heat sources if it’s synthetic, and trim frayed ends to prevent further unraveling. When working at heights with twine, ensure it’s rated for the task and don’t improvise where certified rope is needed.

Where to compare prices and read reviews

Comparison websites and review platforms can save time when deciding between brands and retailers. Use them to check current pricing across multiple UK stores, spot deals, and read user experiences for real-world durability. For crafts and speciality sellers, read buyer photos and comments — they often reveal how colours look in natural light and whether the fibre sheds.

Final buying checklist

Before you click buy or head to the checkout, run through a quick checklist: what material do you need (natural vs synthetic), what thickness (in inches) will handle the load, how many feet will you use, do you need food-safe twine, and is eco-friendliness a priority? This five-point check prevents returns and keeps projects running smoothly — like a preflight check but for your DIY life.

Choosing the right twine in the UK comes down to balancing strength, appearance, and environmental impact. From local hardware stores to online marketplaces, there’s a strand out there for every task — whether you’re a weekend crafter or a seasoned gardener. With a little planning and the right retailer, you’ll knot up those loose ends in no time.

Conclusion: Twine is small in size but huge in usefulness. Think about your project first, pick the right material and thickness, buy the right length, and store it properly. Whether you choose jute for its rustic charm or polypropylene for its weatherproof convenience, the right twine will make your task easier and more satisfying.