An eco-friendly bee haven has been crowned Shed of the Year, pipping a converted black cab and an Irish pub to the esteemed position.
Handmade by firefighter, George Smallwood from Sheffield, the shed - not only far more impressive than what most people have in their gardens - is a self-watering, self-sufficient home for vegetables, herbs and insects.
Not only does the shed look far more impressive than what most people have in their gardens, but it’s also a self-watering and self-sufficient home for vegetables, herbs and insects.
The shed features two beehives, a vegetable patch, a 'bug house' in the main shed and a wildflower garden on the roof. It took the firefighter and a friend two months to build.
For Smallwood, 33, winning the 2018 title and a £1,000 cash prize was a “welcome surprise”.
“We hope our shed will inspire others around the UK to create spaces for wildlife in their gardens,” he said.
“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.”
The annual competition features eight categories including eco-friendly creations, budget outbuildings and historic-like structures.
Although the Bee Eco Shed took the top spot, it faced fierce competition from other impressive structures including a Legoland-inspired haven, a black cab converted into an outdoor bedroom, and a structure made out of glass bottles.
Competition founder Andrew Wilcox said: “The competition was extremely tough this year, from a musical shed on the water, to a taxi, to an authentic Irish pub.
“George’s shed stood out due to its impressive, handmade structure but also because of its unique story and special purpose.”
The Cuprinol-sponsored contest, now in its 11th year, attracted nearly 3,000 entries and 16,000 public votes.
Last year’s winner was the Mushroom Shed, a quirky creation hand-built by Ben Swanborough and his 12-year-old daughter - it features a trap door, hidden treat shelf and glass floor overlooking a stream at the bottom of the garden.
