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Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2018: which weird and wonderful creation has come out on top?

George Smallwood in the Bee Eco Shed, winner of the 2018 Shed of the Year
George Smallwood in the Bee Eco Shed, winner of the 2018 Shed of the Year

Following 2,900 entries and over 16,000 public votes, the 'Bee Eco Shed' has won the 11th annual Cuprinol Shed of the Year. 

The Sheffield-based shed built by George Smallwood is a eco-friendly hive of local wildlife, used by Smallwood to interact with a number of different species that live within the structure, including of course, bees. It is an entirely water-sufficient, energy-sufficient space with growing vegetables, herbs, and plenty of space for bugs and bees to thrive. 

On winning the award, Smallwood said "When we started the project we never could have dreamed we’d be here now. We’re so proud that our shed has become a habitat for nature in a small urban garden, showing you can always do your bit for making a home for nature. We hope our shed will inspire others around the UK to create spaces for wildlife in their gardens."

The inside of the Bee Eco Shed - Credit: PA
The inside of the Bee Eco Shed Credit: PA

Smallwood will be taking home the coveted title, along with a £1,000 prize, £100 of Cuprinol products, a winner's plaque and a very large crown for his shed. 

But The Bee Eco Shed wasn't the only prize winner in the competition. Here are the winners for each category.

Pub and entertainment category

Osmithers

Osmithers Shed
Osmithers Shed

Doug Smith's unique rugby-themed bar shed in Blackpool was built three years ago before having to double in size due to its popularity. From the outside, the shed could be confused with Blackpool Tower thanks to a 25ft replica of the building on the roof of the shed, first built in WWII and later restored by Smith.

Cabin and Summerhouse category

The Limes

The Limes Shed
The Limes Shed

Living in London, Michael Long wanted to create a social hub using leftover rubbish from construction sites around the city. The grandson of a shed builder, Long made the shed as a homage to his grandparents, even displaying the original sign from their home, The Limes. 

Unique category 

Boat Pod

Boat Pod
Boat Pod

Built by Barnaby Dearsly in Devon as a writers' retreat, artists' studio, garden folly and children's hideaway, Boat Pod is built from the upturned bow of a deconstructed trawler build in 1945. Every care has been taken to give the Boat Pod an authentic feel - it features a bespoke stove from the original mast-step, and has even been re-corked and made watertight using marine resin.

Workshop and Studio category

Viking Bauhutte

Viking Bauhutte
Viking Bauhutte

This Hampshire-based creation is modeled on the sheds that craftsmen in the Middle Ages would stay in when on the building site. The shed is a workshop, artists' studio, family craft room and space where creator Chris Walter can design and build cameras. 

Budget category

Tudor Playhouse

Tudor Playhouse
Tudor Playhouse

This perfect little playhouse in Norfolk was lovingly constructed by four-year-old brothers Hugo and Ralph Clavin, with some input from their father Craig. The shed is mostly built from reclaimed and salvaged materials, and has proved to be a very fruitful father/son project.

History category

The Bush Inn

The Bush Inn
The Bush Inn

Originally built to form part of a created wartime village in Kent, The Bush Inn was built by John Parks to represent pubs of the era. John and his wife Joy have gone above and beyond to create the authentic experience, even serving drinks in period glassware and washing the floors with beer to give the shed that recognizable pub smell.

Unexpected/#notashed category

Piano raft

Piano Raft
Piano Raft

Perhaps the most unusual of all contestants, the Piano Raft is a self-made floating shed built by Ben Cummins. Not only has Cummins spent the last five years building the shed from reclaimed materials found on his journeys, but he also spent this time manually pulling the shed on a set of skis from Liverpool to Leeds.