Did you dabble with some DIY during Lockdown? Create a new Man Cave, or an Outdoor Bar – or even a wee artists studio at the bottom of the garden? Ahead of Cuprinol opening entries for their 2021 Shed of The Year competition – time for a bit of inspiration from previous winners
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Tony - or should that be Emperor Tony - in front of his SHED OF THE YEAR 2007 - the first ever winner of the competition The Roman Temple is a Folly. All the best stately homes can look across their estate and see a temple in the distance. It's just that this one is a bit nearer to the house, that's all ! Photo: Cuprinol
. The Rugby Pub
Ah, remember when you could invite people over to your garden. The Rugby Pub won the competition in 2008 Designed and built by owner Tim ,with eight roof lights in octagonal roof, pair of double doors opening as one entrance in fine weather, 15' fully fitted bar with additional door behind and storage under including 3 fridges, blinds to windows and roof lights, ceiling fan, sink with cold running water, comfortably furnished with sea grass matting floor, Hammock. No phone, no TV ,no interruptions ,no shortage of liquid refreshment, no inclination to go any where else and no need to. Photo: comp
. Cuprinol Shed of the Year - 2012 - Woodhenge 2.jpg
This is Shed of the year 2012 - Woodhenge, built by John Plumridge The main feature is its unique shape. its a heart, and its in the heart of my garden. I was unsure of what category to list it in as it is quite unique - but its just a pub in my garden that's a shed. There is a beer bottle collection of Real Ales which is around 500 and counting, and around 110 ciders all on display. Photo: Cuprinol
. Cuprinol Shed of the Year - 2014
The Allotment Roof Shed is Shed of the year 2014, built by Joel Bird. What makes my shed most special is probably the roof. I was tight for space so rather than put a shed on an allotment, I put an allotment on my shed! I use the shed as my work space, the first half is for painting and art, the second half is a music practise room and studio. It's easy to access the roof, with a little staircase and I even have a tin bath up there for a Summer soak. It really is a true, working shed and a little mini countryside which keeps me sane in a city. Photo: Cuprinol
. Cuprinol Shed of the Year - 2009
This shed is Shed of the year 2009, built by Steven Harwood At 5 metres square,I designed it in my head and built it myself. Because it is on a very steep bank a platform was constructed on stilts first and then the cabin was built directly onto this. It incorporates a compost toilet room with hand washing facilities and boasts bunk beds, a woodburner and Sky TV. With a a wall of glass windows facing south, it makes the most of a fantastic view over the valley in which we live. A veranda in the front allows you to sit in the fresh air and take in the scenery and sound of local cows mooing. Photo: Cuprinol
. The Lady-Sarah Out of Worthing
Shed of the Year 2010 - The Lady Sarah Out of Worthing - built by Reg Miller My shed is a purpose built pirate's cabin built to look like the poop deck of a pirate ship moored at a Caribbean dock, complete with fully stocked koi carp pond and aviary - for those long hungry voyages! The inside of the shed is equipped with a full range of piratannical ephemera, including skulls, crossed bones (courtesy of a friendly butcher) and a dead man's chest. Outside the shed there is plenty of space for pirate roistering and carousing amongst the tropical plants and under the palm thatched lean-to. The front of the shed opens completely to make the most of the evening sun and provides a suitable location for card playing, rum drinking and bad behaviour of every kind. The large number of empty rum bottles doubling as candle sticks provides evidence of this. Photo: Anthony Upton
9. Mushroom
Shed of the year 2017 - The Mushroom Shed - built by Ben Swanborough My 12yr old daughter handed me ﾣ500 pounds and asked me to build her a house in the shape of a mushroom. I got a bit carried away! Downstairs in the stem will be a small desk area and steps up to the top of the mushroom. Once through the trap door, you enter a living area. This has some stained glass windows, and a glass floor section looking down to the river below. There will be another door, which leads onto a small exterior platform and more steps down to the garden. There is also a window in the roof. Photo: Cuprinol
10. Inshriach Distillery
The 2015 winner, built by Walter Micklethwait A few years ago this was a dilapidated hen house and an assorted pile of old junk. Now, after some very sporadic work it has become the Inshriach Farm shop, Ladies waiting room, Saloon Bar and Distillery. The General stores is a shop selling items we have carved or whittled on the farm and eggs and produce from the gardens. The ladies waiting room is a cheeky recycled velour upholstered piano bar and the saloon is a dirty wild west gin joint. In an unexpected twist to the shed tale, word got out that the bar was coming together and that we had juniper growing on the farm and before we knew it the shed became home to its very own gin distillery, complete with a lovely hand hammered set of stills from Portugal and its own all Scottish gin brand, Crossbill Photo: Cuprinol
11. West Wing
The 2016 winner - built by Kevin Herbert It is in three sections - the largest part is for me. It has a bed in loft space and an area to relax and escape my four kids(love them really)second part is through secret bookcase for my ten and 11 year olds to sleep and play and the last part is for storage and workshop. My shed is made from 90% recycled materials ,It is a project that has taken me 8 years to build(health reasons - won't bore you)the roof is wild turf but because of angle I used 400 milk cartons cut in half - which took a year to collect -popped holes in and layered bottom with shingle for drainage. The two tonnes of soil and turf plopped on top.My kids helped me a lot good fun .A man needs a shed. Photo: Cuprinol
12. Bee Eco Shed
The 2018 winner - built by George Smallwood It has a spiral staircase to the roof where there are beehives. Also giant bug house on one wall. The roof has flowers and vegetable on it and when the water reaches the gutters it waters a down pipe herb garden with any left finally watering the garden I built the base and intended to buy a shed but then decided to build the whole thing. Space is a premium so it is something I am constantly trying to make the most of. Ever open to new ideas on how this can be done Photo: Cuprinol