Shakespeare-themed haven, beach bar shack and a ‘SPACE STATION’ are among 21 weird and wonderful creations battling it out to win Shed of the Year
- The nation’s most committed shed lovers will battle it out to be named this year’s Cuprinol Shed of the Year
- A shed-cum-lorry in Hampshire and a beach bar shack in Northamptonshire are among the bizarre finalists
- A new category has been added this year’s event for entrants wanting to show off designs inspired by nature
- Many of the finalists bear little resemblance to somewhere you’d knock up a set of shelves or oil your shears
While most people are happy with somewhere to store a bicycle or attempt to grow a vine of tomatoes, the nation’s most committed shed lovers have far loftier dreams for the little havens at the bottom of the garden.
Enthusiasts across the nation have lovingly crafted their creations and now their finest efforts have been whittled down to a shortlist of 21, which will battle it out to be named the Cuprinol Shed of the Year for 2019.
A Shakespeare-themed haven, a live-in shed-cum-lorry in Hampshire and a beach bar shack in Northamptonshire are among the weird and wonderful finalists vying for the 13th annual public vote.
A new category has been added this year for entrants wanting to show off designs inspired by nature, demonstrating the shift towards unlandscaped gardens.
The ‘Attenborough effect’ has seen many sheds displaying a move towards sustainability with the use of reclaimed and recycled materials.
Jon Spooner shows off his incredible shed that is themed on deep space. While it carries many of the tools you might expect to find in a everyday shed, it also opens up like a spaceship and has its own speakers and overhead lights
The Wagon by Jim and Becky Mills will feature in the competition’s Unique Category this year. The stunning shed is based on a traditional railway station, with the odd nod to their favourite tipples such as Guinness and Jack Daniel’s whiskey
The Lorry Life by Tom Duckworth, pictured here, will be a finalist from the Unexpected Category in the Shed of the Year competition. As well as offering a traditional shed space, it also has a bed and is fully operational as a vehicle
Waterlooville by Susan Lowe, from the Studio Category in the Shed of the Year competition, comes with a mini patio complete with a swing set for the youngsters
Hunters Bothy by Ian McMorran is among the fascinating entries to the Summerhouse Category. Other categories include unexpected, cabin, workshop and studio, pub and entertainment, budget and unique
Playrooms have also been popular, with owners apparently keen to find a place for their children to get away from technology and be at one with their imagination.
Categories include unexpected, cabin or summerhouse, workshop and studio, pub and entertainment, budget and unique.
A winner from each category will be decided by a public vote, and shed experts will name an overall winner who will receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products.
Head judge and founder of the competition Andrew Wilcox said: ‘We’ve been absolutely blown away by the incredible, imaginative and innovative sheds entered into this year’s competition. Every year there are more and more outstanding entries that take us by surprise.
Woody Willow by Tom Prior is a remarkable shed space with beautiful decors and colours. It will be one of the finalist in the Summerhouse Category in the Shed of the Year competition
Instant Karma by John Moore, from the Unique Category, is a larger-than-normal shed that could easily be classified as a house in many built-up cities in the UK
David Stocks is pictured here with his William Shakespeare-inspired shed aptly titled The Tempest. It will be one of the finalists in the Unexpected Category in the Shed of the Year competition
The Hippy Hut is Dean Haden’s creation and it will be one of those competing in the Summerhouse Category of this year’s event. A winner from each category will be decided by a public vote later this year
‘We’ve been really impressed by the aesthetics of the sheds – especially those that entered the brand new Nature’s Haven category, with entrants really demonstrating how important it is to welcome nature into our lives and our gardens.’
Kirsty Woodbine, marketing manager for Cuprinol, said: ‘This year has certainly seen the entrants up their game with a real noticeable shift towards sustainability and a drive towards embracing our natural environment.
‘We’ve been impressed with the recycled and upcycled materials being used by sheddies and the creative designs really show just how much you can do with a small outdoor space.’
Last year’s winner, George Smallwood from Sheffield, harnessed self-watering technology in his Bee Eco Shed, which allowed vegetable and herb gardens to grow and insects and bees to thrive.
Public voting at www.readersheds.co.uk will close on August 29.
The Retro Retreat by Louise Mayoh features some incredibly retro paraphernalia and furniture, including a bar, fridge and two beautiful armchairs
Anne Hindle’s Vintage Tea Shed looks like something out of Alice in Wonderland. Despite it’s delicate appearance, it’s also a working shed, with the inside holding working tools as well as crockery and teapots
The Ark by Stuart Campbell will feature in the Workshop and Studio Category in the Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year competition
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