It's the big one. And this year it's bigger than ever as more and more of us have found the need, and the time to retreat to a little space we can truly call our own.
A place for relaxing and contemplation… Or somewhere for entertaining and having fun… Or for simply getting the job done, the UK is a nation of shed lovers and here we proudly present the official final 22 of the UK's very best sheds.
The 15th annual Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition 2021 invited shed owner/builders/creators of any skill and stature to put forward their claim to have the best shed in the land. And now the experts at Cuprinol have whittled the 331 entries down to just 22 finalists.
This year the finalists have been grouped into seven categories, covering every shedular functionality, allowing every maker to shine in their own expert field. Including a special new Lockdown category for those with more than a little creativity and time on their hands to engage in some envelope-pushing flights of fancy.
The Shed of the Year categories
• Budget
• Cabin & Summerhouse
• Lockdown
• Nature's Haven
• Pub & Entertainment
• Unexpected & Unique
• Workshop & Studio
From chapels to bra shops. From clock towers to amusement arcades there's something for everyone. And now it's time for them to go head to head with the winner from each category being decided by public vote, before a panel of shed experts decide which overall winner will be awarded the golden crown.
Make sure you vote before July 12th!
The overall winner will receive £1,000, a plaque and – of course – £100 of Cuprinol products.
Head judge and founder of the competition Andrew Wilcox said: “The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us and, now more than ever, we’re aware of how important the humble shed can be. Sheds are not just unloved, brown structures at the bottom of the garden that house tools and household junk, they are vital spaces where you can go to relax, work on a project or burn off some steam.
“The high-calibre entries this year really prove why we set up the competition in the first place - to highlight the valuable role sheds can play in our lives, in our businesses and the positive impact they have on our wellbeing.”
Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, added: “We are overwhelmed by the amount and quality of entries we’ve received this year. The sheds were of such a high standard that narrowing them down to just 22 was an incredibly difficult task.
“The level of innovation, imagination and creativity we’ve seen has been incredible, as has the number of people using their sheds as dedicated spaces to help others in their community. This year’s contest has been truly life affirming.”
Last year’s shed-building superstar Daniel Holloway walked away with the coveted title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2020 after wowing judges with his nature-inspired refuge Bedouin Tree-Shed, built around two tree trunks in his back garden.
Public voting for the 15th annual competition opens on Wednesday, June 2 and will close on Monday, July 12.
Feast your eyes on our finalists gallery below and don't forget to vote for your favourite. Full results soon!
