Family Retreat Crowned 2020 Shed Of The Year

A British tradition as much as BBQ’s on rainy Bank Holidays, the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2020 winner has been announced, and this years' master shedsman is Daniel Holloway, who grabbed the top prize with his tree-hugging, nature-inspired Bedouin Tree Shed in London.

According to the Metro, the Bedouin Tree Shed was an eight-year labour of love for Holloway and has been constructed around two living trees, an Ash and an Evergreen Oak, in his garden.

The shed began life as a conventional garden shed, but slowly grew to create a sheltered space for family BBQs, and was extended and changed over the years to include multiple joined structures and three levels. It’s also served the Holloway family as a retreat during the coronavirus lockdown.

Holloway, who has been awarded a £1,000 cash prize, a ceremonial plaque, and some of Cuprinol's DIY products, said that the shed took on a life of its own when the lockdown measures were introduced, helping bring the family closer together.

"Spending time in it taught us some valuable lessons about appreciating what is precious and provided solace for us all during those really uncertain weeks and months. We whiled away many an hour in there listening to music, playing games and quietly reflecting. I'm delighted that it's been crowned the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020,” he said.

A repurposed Victorian-era door opens into a snug interior decorated in a Bedouin tent style, which includes souvenirs from Holloway’s extensive travels as an expedition organiser in Africa, vintage etchings, and specimens of butterflies and finely carved ancient hardwood Indian columns.

A wood-burning stove provides warmth and its furniture was sourced from reclamation yards and bits and pieces people had thrown out. The flooring is made of oak, and willow saplings and jasmine grow on the exterior.

The shed won the most public votes in the Nature’s Haven category before being awarded the overall title by a panel of judges.

The competition had a new category this year, and judges awarded a Special Commendation prize and £250 to recognise the efforts that teacher Ashely Bates made to educate children during the school closures due to the lockdown, broadcasting lessons via video conferencing from his Shed School, in Hinchley Wood, Surrey.

He was also declared the winner of the Lockdown - Repurpose category.

"With so many children potentially missing out on education because of lockdown, I thought I had to do something to help," says Bates. "I was stunned how it took off – going from a few hundred followers to over seven thousand in just a few weeks.”

Entries for the 2020 prize included hobbit houses, pubs and bars, workshops, man caves and dad’s dens, and summerhouse retreats. All the entries for 2020 and previous years can be seen on the ReaderSheds website.

If you’re looking to create your own contender for next year’s Shed of the Year, or simply inspired to build your garden log cabin, then visit our site today.