Traditional Weather Instruments
Traditional weather instruments come in many styles, shapes and sizes, whatever element they measure. Today they are often thought of as decorative rather than scientific — but every one of them serves a real purpose, showing you temperature, humidity or barometric pressure at a glance, with no batteries, apps or wifi required.
Most analogue weather stations display the current reading, along with maximum and minimum temperature since you last reset the indicator, or the change in barometric pressure since you set the pointer. Recording instruments such as barographs go further, drawing a continuous trace of the last seven days.
The range runs from classic wooden banjo barometers and brass-cased wall instruments through to clean modern designs, weatherproof outdoor barometers, weather houses and traditional wall clocks. Choose a category below, or browse the full collection.
Analogue or digital?
An analogue instrument shows a single clear reading on a dial and needs no power, no pairing and no updates. It will still be working in twenty years, and it looks like a piece of furniture rather than a gadget. A digital station gives you more data, logging, alerts and remote sensors — if that is what you need, see our Home Weather Stations range.
Barometers
The barometer is the heart of any traditional weather instrument. Falling pressure generally signals unsettled weather on the way; rising pressure suggests it is clearing. Set the brass pointer to the current reading, then check the following day to see which way the needle has moved. Our full barometer range includes wooden, modern and outdoor models.
Weather houses and storm glasses
Weather houses, sometimes called weather cottages or the little man and woman weather house, respond to changes in humidity: the figures move in and out as conditions change. A storm glass weather predictor works on crystal formation in a sealed solution. Neither is a precision instrument, but both are genuine period pieces and make memorable gifts — see the Weather House hygrometer and thermometer.
Barographs
A barograph records barometric pressure continuously onto a rotating paper chart, giving you a visible trace of the last seven days rather than a single reading. We supply replacement charts and ink for the models we sell.
Choosing a traditional instrument
Consider where it will hang, whether it needs to survive outdoors, and whether you want temperature and humidity alongside pressure on the same dial. If you are buying as a gift and are unsure, call 01243 558280 or use our contact form and we will help you choose.