Eight marvellous sheds built from boats, trees and taxis for the Shed of the Year competition
This year's competition is as fierce as it is creative. Take a look at our top choices for Shed of the Year 2018.


Entering it’s 11th year, the Shed of the Year competition blends style and substance to produce beautiful and useful work and living spaces, dotted around the country's gardens.
Andrew Wilcox, founder of Shed of the Year and dubbed ‘Head Sheddie’, claims to have been 'blown away' by the 2,971 entries which the competition received this year.
‘I’ve judged the finalists eleven years running now, and it’s amazing to see how the sheds evolve each year as entrants take inspiration from others and realise that creating your own shed on a budget is a more than achievable project’.
It's always an enormous amount of fun – and if you like you can vote for the winner on the competition website, www.readersheds.co.uk, where there are also pictures of all the shortlisted sheds. But we've picked out a few of our particular favourites below.
Shed and Breakfast
Reminiscent of a country B&B, Shed & Breakfast boasts a king sized bed and it’s own kitchenette. Owner Daisy Bass and her husband host homeless Bristol youth in this quaint accommodation once a month.
The Big Top Den
Steve Burrows built this charmingly colourful play area into an old Wisteria tree for the benefit of his grandsons.
Boat Pod
Submitted into the ‘unique’ category of the competition, Boat Pod is constructed from the bow of an old fish trawler, originally built in 1945.
Exquisite houses, the beauty of Nature, and how to get the most from your life, straight to your inbox.
Noah’s
Built during a period of torrential rain by owner David, joking neighbours who visited the pub two-by-two christened this uniquely designed shed, built almost entirely of recycled materials.
Viking Bauhutte
Resembling the upturned hull of a ship, owner Chris Walter built this space for his family to use as a craft room, and for himself to design and build cameras.
Buenai Vista
Buenai Vista was designed to emulate the environment around it, with panels reflecting the nearby steam, iron–age hillfort and woodland. His wife has affectionately renamed it ‘The Prosecco Palace’.
The Bush Inn
Build to form a part of a recreated wartime village in Kent, The Bush Inn perfectly captures the essence of the public houses of that period.
The Taxi
Owner Lee Connelly and his team abandoned their attempts to repair an old vintage car and instead transformed the car into a bedroom and creative space.
See the full shortlist and vote for your favourite shed at www.readersheds.co.uk.
Credit: Knight Frank
A palatial Jacobean-style mansion with rooms by the man who renovated Buckingham Palace
With a 24 carat gold drawing room, an extraordinary indoor spa complex and a £150,000 playhouse, the only thing Pinewood
Why it’s time to leave guests in the garden
Guest rooms that take their inhabitants closer to Nature? Giles Kime explores.
-
Sophia Money-Coutts: Is it ever okay to throw your dog a birthday party?
Sir Lewis Hamilton did it, so why not throw a birthday party for your canine companion, Sophia Money-Coutts asks.
-
A 500-acre estate that spent 11 centuries in the same family, for sale for only the second time in its history
In the beautiful hills of north Wales the Garthewin estate has come up for sale, including a great country house once restored by the architect who created Portmeirion. Penny Churchill takes a closer look.
-
I've seen the light: How a dark and gloomy kitchen in the Scottish Borders was reconfigured for 21st century living
When a family home passed to a new generation, Guild Anderson was asked to create a kitchen suited to modern living.
-
'Comfortable, cosseting and far from the madding crowd': The recently refurbished Cornish cottage that proves Victorian decor is making a comeback
Plum Cottage in Padstow, Cornwall, has been brought to life by Jess Alken and her husband, Ash — and is the latest addition to their holiday cottages on the north Cornish coast.
-
'These aren't just rooms. They are spaces configured with enormous cunning, artfully combining beauty with functionality': Giles Kime on the wonders of WOW!house 2025
WOW!house 2025 is here. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to explore more than 20 indoor and outdoor spaces, dreamt up by the biggest names in design, says Giles Kime.
-
How the deep-lustre of copper brings period glamour to this kitchen
Designed by deVOL, inspired by a New York bistro
-
A dozen slices of al fresco inspiration from the best designers in Britain
Amelia Thorpe shares her pick of the most beautiful outdoor furniture and accessories to help you make the most of summer.
-
A feast of ideas: What to expect at WOW!house 2025
More than 20 rooms and outdoor spaces by leading interior designers will offer depth and breadth of inspiration, with an emphasis on bespoke craftsmanship, at WOW!house, the summer’s major interiors event, finds Amelia Thorpe.
-
Curious Questions: Where did the viral Instagram Shaker kitchen come from — and how is it linked to Quakerism?
The traditional and incredibly versatile Shaker kitchen is looked up to the world over, but where did it actually come from?
-
18 inspiring ideas to help you make the most of meals in the garden this summer
From tie-dye tablecloths to tasseled awnings, there's something for every garden space.