Back-garden Bedouin tent is named 2020 Shed of The Year after beating party bar with hot tub, a hobbit house and a train carriage in the final

  • Sheddies from across the country have been using lockdown time to create some of the most amazing sheds
  • One Bedouin Tree Shed has been built around two living tree trunks in London which took eight years to finish
  • Grandmother Jane Moyle's multi-generational shed is a hit with her friends, family and 11 grandchildren 

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A family's nature-inspired refuge from lockdown has been crowned the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020.

The Bedouin Tree-Shed has been an eight-year labour of love for expedition organiser Daniel Holloway, who built it around two living tree trunks in his back garden in Blackheath, south London.

When the nation went into lockdown it soon became a sanctuary for the 55-year-old, his wife Beccy, 51, and their children Sam, 12, and 14-year-old Lyza.    

This Bedouin Tree Shed has taken eight years to build but it was well worth the effort and is the prize possession of expedition organiser Daniel Holloway

This Bedouin Tree Shed has taken eight years to build but it was well worth the effort and is the prize possession of expedition organiser Daniel Holloway

Head Judge and competition founder Andrew Wilcox said they were blown away by this year's entries but it was Daniel's Bedouin Tree-Shed that impressed them the most.  

Daniel explains: 'When lockdown arrived, the shed really took on a life of its own, bringing us closer together as a family.

'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.

Lockdown refuge inspired by nature: The Bedouin Tree-Shed was laboured by expedition organiser Daniel Holloway who built it around two living trunks in his back garden

Lockdown refuge inspired by nature: The Bedouin Tree-Shed was laboured by expedition organiser Daniel Holloway who built it around two living trunks in his back garden

'I'm delighted that it's been crowned the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020.'

The extraordinary space began life as a conventional garden shed - but has been extended and modified to encompass three levels with a footprint of roughly five metres by five metres.

It contains a host of treasures from Daniel's extensive travels through Africa and is built around the trunks of an Ash and an Evergreen Oak.

Daniel will receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products for his creation which has a wood-burning stove providing comfort during the cold winter months with furniture plundered from skips and reclamation yards

Daniel will receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products for his creation which has a wood-burning stove providing comfort during the cold winter months with furniture plundered from skips and reclamation yards

'Being in harmony with nature is incredibly important for us as a family' Daniel adds. 'We've been absolutely committed to avoid impacting the root system of the trees as we've been extending the shed.

'There's also willow saplings and jasmine on the exterior which makes the shed almost seem part of the landscape when they bloom in the summer.'

Alongside the African artefacts, the interior is decorated with vintage etchings and specimens of butterflies alongside finely carved ancient hardwood Indian columns.

Daniel (pictured) is proud of his Bedouin Tree-Shed and said being in harmony with nature is incredibly important for them as a family

Daniel (pictured) is proud of his Bedouin Tree-Shed and said being in harmony with nature is incredibly important for them as a family

A wood-burning stove provides comfort during the cold winter months with furniture plundered from skips and reclamation yards. The floor is made of oak planks and follows the contours of the trees inside.

The Bedouin Tree-Shed topped the Nature's Haven category in a public vote before being awarded the overall title from a panel of judges. Daniel will receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products. 

Meanwhile a retired party planner proved that creativity can be kept alive no matter how old you are after her summerhouse triumphed in the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020 awards in the same named category.

Jane (pictured) took inspiration from Japan in creating her ultimate summerhouse. What started as somewhere to store photo albums soon blossomed into a space for entertaining her friends and 11 grandchildren

Jane (pictured) took inspiration from Japan in creating her ultimate summerhouse. What started as somewhere to store photo albums soon blossomed into a space for entertaining her friends and 11 grandchildren

Jane Moyle, 77, uses the bright and airy space in her back garden to entertain friends and her 11 grandchildren.

It's a subject the pensioner from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, knows plenty about after a successful career as an organiser of VIP corporate events.

'In my career I used to put on events for some of the biggest companies in the world, so that came in handy when designing the summerhouse,' she said.

'I initially conceived it as a lovely restful place that my husband and I could relax in, and somewhere where I could display some of the photographs I love to take.

'With the folding doors and the decking outside, it is ideal for outdoor meals, sunbathing and reading.

'But now it gets just as much use from my grandkids who range in age from 11 to 28. They have a lot of fun in there when granny isn't around.

'We live in the centre of Cheltenham but when you're in the summerhouse it feels like you're in the country.'

There were nine categories for this years competition and Jane triumphed in the 'Summerhouse' category after she decided to renovate the shed.    

The summerhouse has been designed to the highest spec complete with sunbeds, sink, fridge for garden parties, books, and ample space to store sports equipment

The summerhouse has been designed to the highest spec complete with sunbeds, sink, fridge for garden parties, books, and ample space to store sports equipment

It was originally built as a Japanese summer house but was never finished off by the previous owners.

Determined to pick up from where they left off and complete the job, creative Jane lovingly restored it into a luxury summerhouse, complete with sunbeds, sink, fridge for garden parties. 

The grandmother originally wanted to create the space to store her treasured lifetime of photographs which she now intends on putting into order. 

Judges have been blown away by the imagination and creativity on display from sheds up and down the country during these unprecedented times but it was Jane's shed that impressed them

Judges have been blown away by the imagination and creativity on display from sheds up and down the country during these unprecedented times but it was Jane's shed that impressed them

Croquet sets, badminton nets, boules, are also stored in the summerhouse ready to play with as soon as the urge arises. 

The space is a haven of peace and tranquillity, which considering it is in the middle of a large town is often wondered at by Jane's friends.

Head Judge and competition founder Andrew Wilcox said: 'This year we've been blown away by the imagination and creativity on display from sheddies up and down the country, during these unprecedented times.

'Jane's stylish summerhouse impressed us with its sophisticated design and the fact that it brings so much joy to so many generations.'

The sophisticated design of the shed appeals to multi-generations and creates a little countryside sanctuary in the centre of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

The sophisticated design of the shed appeals to multi-generations and creates a little countryside sanctuary in the centre of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire

Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, said: 'The extraordinary events of this past year have seen the nation's sheds take on a host of new roles in our lives - from a family refuge to a sheducation hub.

'It highlights how creative and considerate we can be even through the most difficult of times.

'Now more than ever our gardens, patios and outside spaces provide welcome respite from the uncertainties of the world outside - allowing us time to reflect, relax and socialise.

The public voted for their favourite shed through readerssheds.co.uk who were mesmerised by the grandmother's imagination and creativity

The public voted for their favourite shed through readerssheds.co.uk who were mesmerised by the grandmother's imagination and creativity

'At Cuprinol we're committed to helping people make the most of the outdoors so they can enjoy all the benefits getting closer to nature brings.'

Shed of the Year is a celebration of the great British shed in all their forms. 

From the miniature to the massive, the modern to the traditional, the cosy to the minimal and everything in between - sheds of every shape, size and function are entered into the annual competition. 

This year's entrants competed across nine categories - with two new lockdown-specific categories introduced - Lockdown Repurpose and Lockdown New-build. 

Each winner was decided by the public voting through readerssheds.co.uk

Budget Category: Winner Julie Twydell (pictured) kept busy during lockdown by working on her Budget Pallet Hobbit House which has been made entirely from recycled materials

Budget Category: Winner Julie Twydell (pictured) kept busy during lockdown by working on her Budget Pallet Hobbit House which has been made entirely from recycled materials

Julie Twydell won the Budget Category Winner for her Budget Pallet Hobbit House which she says kept her sane during lockdown.

The Marketing Manager from Bromley, Kent said: 'If I didn't have it, I'm not quite sure what I would have done instead,' she says.

Made entirely from recycled materials Julie reveals: 'Nothing is really straight, correct or perfect and that's what I love about it. 

I like its rustic charm. I can read there, have a glass of wine, watch TV with the cinema screen, do craft and building projects - it's great.'

Pub/Entertainment Category: Winner Mark Killick (pictured) used old wooden pallets to create his Pallet Hollywood bar in the back garden of his home in Farnborough, Hants

Pub/Entertainment Category: Winner Mark Killick (pictured) used old wooden pallets to create his Pallet Hollywood bar in the back garden of his home in Farnborough, Hants

Pub/Entertainment Category Winner Mark Killick used old wooden pallets to create his Pallet Hollywood bar in the back garden of his home in Farnborough, Hants. 

It boasts a hot tub and a stash of original 80s vinyl to play on his Kenwood Hi-fi system. 

He said: 'Before the lockdown, friends and family would come round for a few drinks at Pallet Hollywood. 

'We've got music in there and have had some great parties, and with all the outside lights on every evening it's great to look at when we're in the house.'

Unique Category: Winner Adrian Backshall (pictured) The Eastbourne sheddie built the Old Bill shed on rails inspired by his life-long passion for trains

Unique Category: Winner Adrian Backshall (pictured) The Eastbourne sheddie built the Old Bill shed on rails inspired by his life-long passion for trains

Adrian Backshall's life-long passion for trains inspired the Eastbourne sheddie to build the Old Bill on rails. 

The retired 59-year-old train worker said: 'From when we bought our first house I've always had a shed. 

I've collected lots of old railway stuff over the years and wanted to reuse it for the shed. 

'It's kept me busy in my retirement and I've had it all to myself, but I've spent so much time and money on it I thought it was worth showing off.'

Lockdown New-Build Category: Winner Joe Melton  kept boredom during lockdown at bay by building this homemade rum shack named Rk2 in his back garden in King¿s Lynn, Norfolk

Lockdown New-Build Category: Winner Joe Melton  kept boredom during lockdown at bay by building this homemade rum shack named Rk2 in his back garden in King's Lynn, Norfolk

Norfolk sheddie, Joe Melton, kept busy during lockdown by building this homemade rum shack in his back garden. 

The Senior Project Manager from King's Lynn, explained: 'The bar has brought us together during lockdown as we have continued to make changes and improvements. 

'The whole family has been involved in building, sanding and waxing - giving the children a chance to learn new life skills and then enjoy slushies sitting back looking at what they have built.'

Workshop/Studio Category: Winner Colin Furze kept his army of 10 million Youtube subscribers entertained with his creations in his Colin Furze Workshop in Stamford, Lincs

Workshop/Studio Category: Winner Colin Furze kept his army of 10 million Youtube subscribers entertained with his creations in his Colin Furze Workshop in Stamford, Lincs

YouTube star Colin Furze kept his ten million subscribers entertained with his creations in his workshop in Stamford, Lincs. 

He said: 'My dad never let me in his shed. So once I moved into my own house the shed was the first thing I did. 

'The shed is not just a workspace or place of work, it is now an inspiration for the many people that watch my videos to see what can be made in a garden workshop. 

'I get a lot of messages from people and parents of children who've been inspired to get making their own creations and even make their own sheds based on mine.'

Unexpected Category: Winner Len Lavelle built this replica of a traditional Irish boozer as a tribute to his cherished dad and named it Bucko's Bar

Unexpected Category: Winner Len Lavelle built this replica of a traditional Irish boozer as a tribute to his cherished dad and named it Bucko's Bar

For the Unexpected Category Len Lavelle, 51, built this replica of a traditional Irish boozer as a tribute to his cherished dad. 

The Quality Control Manager from Heald Green, Cheadle said: 'My dad brought us up with all the traditional Irish values, and whenever we went on holiday to Ireland we would find ourselves spending most of the time sitting in the corner of an old Irish Pub. 

'I will never forget the day that I invited him and the rest of the family round for him to cut the ribbon and officially open the bar. 

'It was a great afternoon, and each and every item inside the bar reminded him of his past and he had many tales to tell.'

Winner of the Lockdown Repurpose category, Ashley Bates (pictured) streamed maths and English lessons for five to eight-year-olds from his Shed School in his back garden in Hinchley Wood, Surrey

Winner of the Lockdown Repurpose category, Ashley Bates (pictured) streamed maths and English lessons for five to eight-year-olds from his Shed School in his back garden in Hinchley Wood, Surrey

And in a competition first, judges have this year also awarded a Special Commendation alongside £250 - to celebrate the efforts teacher Ashley Bates went to in order to educate children while lockdown closed classrooms.

Winner of the Lockdown Repurpose category, he streamed maths and English lessons for five to eight-year-olds from his Shed School in his back garden in Hinchley Wood, Surrey.

He said: 'With so many children potentially missing out on education because of lockdown, I thought I had to do something to help.

'I was stunned how it took off - going from a few hundred followers to over seven thousand in just a few weeks'.

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