ECCENTRIC ECO SHED CROWNED 2016 SHED OF THE YEAR
Remarkable ‘West Wing’ in Berkshire crowned overall winner of the highly coveted Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition 2016
Thousands of Brits across the nation tuned in to watch George Clarke announce the winner during the final episode of hit Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’ Annual competition sponsored by Cuprinol showcases the UK’s most outrageously spectacular sheds
Following a record-breaking 2,825 entries and 12,292 public votes, ‘West Wing’ from Berkshire has been crowned winner of the Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition 2016. Made from 90% recycled material and featuring a hidden room behind a secret bookcase, ‘West Wing’ took out the top honour in a nail biting season finale.
After a tense and lengthy deliberation between the show’s judges, competition founder, Uncle Wilco (Andrew Wilcox), George Clarke, the Amazing Spaces team William Hardie, Laura Clark and Max McMurdo, tonight’s episode saw a distinct favourite emerge.
![George Clarke Shed of the year finalists](https://shedblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/UNP-CH4-35032-George-Clarke-Shed-050-copy.jpg)
The West Wing, a family-friendly labour of love over eight years, has three separate sections including a spacious loft which as an area to sleep and wind down, a large workshop space for ‘shedworking’ and a secret bookcase that reveals a hidden room for the kids to enjoy. The eco-friendly shed, with its warm and cozy charm, is a quirky getaway at the bottom of the garden.
Revealed by George Clarke on Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’, the exhilarating competition came to a close with ‘West Wing’ shed owner, Kevin Herbert, taking home the coveted title along with £1,000 courtesy of sponsors Cuprinol, £100 of Cuprinol products, a winner’s plaque and a giant crown for his shed.
When asked about his winning shed, creator Kevin said: “We were up against some tough competition this year as the sheds were more eccentric and impressive than ever before. So I am so honored and proud that my shed at the bottom of the garden was chosen as the winner of Shed of the Year 2016. I just want to say a huge thanks to everyone who voted for West Wing – the eight years that it took to build has really paid off!”
After winning the Eco Category in episode two, ‘West Wing’ went head-to-head with the seven other quirky category winners as decided by the public including ‘The Chapel’, winner of the Unexpected Category, ‘Shed of Dreams’, Cabin & Summerhouse Category winner, ‘Cowpe Smithy’, Workshop & Studio Category winner, ‘The Rotating Shed’, Unique Category winner, ‘Hooting Owl’, Pub & Entertainment Category winner, ‘Ilona’s Summerhouse, Budget Category winner and ‘Wychurst Longhall’, Historic Category winner.
Andrew Wilcox, Founder of Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year says: “Picking the winner is always a tough decision. After we narrowed down the sheds to the last few standing, the final decision had a lot of discussion, but there was a clear winner when it came to choosing Kevin’s shed. I absolutely love West Wing, not only for its quirkiness in terms of its design and use, but also because of the determination that Kevin had to get it built. I hope it inspires other sheddies around the UK to build their own amazing spaces in time for Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year 2017.”
![George Clarke and The Shed of the Year finalists](https://shedblog.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/UNP-CH4-35032-George-Clarke-Shed-039-copy.jpg)
Brand Manager Katie Taylor for Cuprinol, says: “We’re really proud to sponsor Shed of the Year for the ninth time running. Year on year, we are blown away by the amazing creativity and hard work of the sheddies around the UK and West Wing is no exception. It’s clear that the humble garden shed is no longer just a space to store garden tools, as you can see the West Wing use it as an extra living space where they can spend more time enjoying either quiet or family time. We hope the competition will inspire the nation to make the most of the outdoor space they have, no matter how big or small.”
To see more details on category winners visit readersheds.co.uk.
To see me details on the full shortlist visit cuprinol.co.uk/shedoftheyear.jsp
THE WINNERS
ECO WINNER AND OVERALL SHED OF THE YEAR 2016 WINNER
West Wing: Owned by Kevin Herbert in Berkshire.
Made from 90% recycled materials and set across three sections, the West Wing includes a bed in loft space, an area to relax and escape, a secret bookcase, a play area, storage and workshop.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5840
WORKSHOP & STUDIO WINNER
Cowpe Smithy: Owned by Robin Sharples in Lancashire.
Built to replicate a corrugated iron and timber workshop common after World War One, Cowpe Smithy is clad with salvaged air raid shelter corrugated iron obtained from a closing military surplus dealer. The shed also houses a large collection of Blacksmiths Anvils.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5618
CABIN & SUMMERHOUSE WINNER
Shed of Dreams: Owned by Oliver Renison in Warwickshire.
This property features not one, but two sheds.
Shed of Dreams features an unconventional roof with a Gothic arch. The shed has a Gothic ‘Trefoil’ made using washing machine doors and has a stove fitted and alfresco setting. The River Shed is a communal shed on an allotment plot right by the riverside. The shed stands on the footprint of a dilapidated shed and is built from treated timber.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5837
UNIQUE SHED WINNER
Rotating Shed: Owned by Bryan Lewis Jones in Benbighshire.
As the name suggests, the stunning open plan, curved architectural design rotates through 360 degrees to follow the sunlight throughout the day. Featuring inviting lounge chairs and a sumptuous fireplace, the shed is a great retreat.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5604
PUB/ENTERTAINMENT SHED WINNER
Hooting Owl: Owned by Derek McCarthy in Limerick.
All of the materials used to build this were shipped all the way from the Tatra Mountains at the heart of Zakopane in Poland where the design was originally inspired. Featuring a stone fireplace, the shed has been used to house many a card game, party and evening of serene contemplation.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5038
HISTORICAL SHED WINNER
Wychurst Longhall: Owned by Roland Williamson and friends in Kent.
An impressive sight as the largest reconstructed early mediaeval building in private hands in Europe, Wychurst Longhall was constructed by members of various re-enactment societies. Built entirely of English oak, the shed is situated in a patch of secluded woodland near Canterbury in Kent.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5749
BUDGET SHED WINNER
Ilona’s Summerhouse: Owned by Ilona in North Lincolnshire.
Hand crafted by a first-time builder with recycled materials of pallets, doors, polycarbonate roof and reclaimed paving slabs, this shed is a little sunlit hideaway.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5634
UNEXPECTED SHED WINNER
The Chapel: Owned by Jamie Taylor in Warwickshire.
Originally built in the 60s (although originally dated back 150 years) Jamie has revitalised the chapel with his own flare while maintaining the theme.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5808
Brilliant effort this year … some amazing sheds and Sheddies … loved them all but some faves were … the Cowpe Smithy, Ilonas shed, the West Wing, the Shed of Dreams, the Shed Village … and more … well done SOTY team and sheddies x x