MUSH’ROOM’ WITH A VIEW!
2017 SHED OF THE YEAR WINNER REVEALED
- The ultimate treehouse has beaten stiff competition to be crowned overall winner of the highly coveted Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition 2017
- Millions of Brits across the nation tuned in to watch George Clarke announce the winner during the final episode of Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’
- The Mushroom Shed is the 10th anniversary winner of the annual Shed of the Year competition sponsored by Cuprinol
Following a record-breaking 2,963 entries and 26,571 public votes, ‘The Mushroom Shed’ from Surrey has been crowned winner of the tenth Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition. Ben Swanborough’s ultimate tree house beat off a shedload of competition in a nail biting season finale to take the final prize.
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, last night’s episode saw a distinct favourite emerge.
The Mushroom Shed was hand-built by Ben after his 12 year old daughter handed him £500 of her own money to create her a magical hang-out space in the shape of a mushroom. Full of quirky touches, including its own trap door, a hidden treat shelf and glass floor overlooking a stream at the bottom of the garden, the shed is the perfect place for the family to relax and entertain friends.
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director at Cuprinol said: “Ben has proved that you just need a little motivation and vision to create a truly stunning space at the bottom of your garden. His shed was definitely a worthy winner for the competition’s landmark year.”
Revealed by George Clarke on Channel 4’s ‘Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year’, the exhilarating competition came to a close with ‘The Mushroom House’ shed owner, Ben Swanborough, 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 Ben said: “When we started the project we never could have dreamed we’d be here now. We’ve already made so many lovely memories in our shed, and now have so many more from the competition! There were so many innovative and amazing sheds in the running, and we’re absolutely thrilled to have been crowned Shed of the Year 2017!”
After winning the Cabin and Summerhouse Category in episode one, ‘The Mushroom House’ went head-to-head with the seven other quirky category winners as decided by the public including; Underground Bunker Shed (#NotAShed), Pricklebums Hedgehog Rescue (Unexpected), Engine House (Pub & Entertainment), Team Unlimbited (Workshop & Studio), Letsby Avenue Police Station (Historic), Wee Tower (Eco) and Doog’s Shack (Budget).
Andrew Wilcox, Founder of Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year says: “The bar was set really high this year, from entire train carriages to a miniature chapel and a replica cinema. With strong contenders winning all eight category awards it was a really tough decision for me and my fellow judges. Ben’s dedication to his daughter and the quirky design details he created really stood out above the rest and he thoroughly deserves the title!”
Marianne Shillingford, Creative Director Cuprinol, continued: “We’re so proud to sponsor Shed of the Year, now in it’s 10th year! This year’s entries have really stood out from the crowd and show that your garden really can become a 5th room for all the family to enjoy. There are some really simple ways to recreate these looks in your own garden and we hope the competition will inspire the nation to make the most of their outdoor space.”
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
CABIN AND SUMMERHOUSE WINNER AND OVERALL SHED OF THE YEAR 2016 WINNER
Mushroom House – owned by Ben Swanborough in Surrey
After his 12-year-old daughter handed him £500 and asked him to build her a house in the shape of a mushroom, Ben didn’t ask any questions, instead he jumped right to it! The stem (downstairs) features a small desk area and steps up to the cap (top level). Once through the trap door, you enter a vintage inspired living area fit with stained glass windows, a glass floor to see the river below, a glass roof to see the stars, and a balcony.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6128
UNEXPECTED WINNER
Pricklebums – owned by Ailie Hill in Ludlow
A saving shed, Pricklebums is an old garden summerhouse that was renovated and converted into a hedgehog hospital, for housing sick, injured or orphaned hedgehogs during their treatment & rehabilitation process, prior to re-release into the wild. This little shed sanctuary is extremely small (roughly 2m square), but can house up to 22 sick hedgehogs.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5770
ECO WINNER
Wee Tower – owned by Annie Maclean in Fort William
Based in the Ardgour which is known for its abundance of local wildlife and incredible dark skies, this shed is the perfect escape from the modern world. Sit back in the most comfortable recycled stag antler chairs, enjoy a cup of tea brewed on the log burning stove and watch the woodland wildlife all around. By night, make the most of the clear dark skies, making it perfect for stargazing. Built with only sustainable materials, this off-grid wee tower is hidden in the woodland by the owner’s cottage.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6306
WORKSHOP & STUDIO WINNER
Team Unlimbited – owned by Stephen Davies in Swansea
At first glance the shed, in a back garden in Swansea doesn’t look remarkable. Step closer and you’ll hear the whirring of hard-working machines. Welcome to mission HQ of Team Unlimbited. After being born with one hand himself, Stephen noticed the huge number of children that had no access, poor choice, or that were unable to afford an artificial arm, and he knew he needed to do something about it. At Team Unlimbited, Stephen designs, prints, builds and delivers 3D printed hands and arms to children completely free, all in his spare time. This small space is lined with photos of children the design has helped from around the world – from Peru to Pakistan, Turkey to Brazil, and beyond.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6180
PUB & ENTERTAINMENT WINNER
Engine House – owned by Kevin Francis in Hampshire
Designed as an old-fashioned style fire station, The Engine House, is bursting with fire service memorabilia collected by owner Kevin for many years. The shed features a muster bay for firefighting uniforms, watch room, two workshops, seating bay and mess room, which is where Kevin brews his own fire service related beer. This is served from a real fire station bar salvaged before it was demolished. The shed even features two beds and a fireman’s pole for quick descent to the bar!
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6014
BUDGET WINNER
Doog’s Shack – owned by David Oliver in Wiltshire
Built entirely from discarded material around the family’s farmyard and built with little further investment, this studded wooden structure is used by David and his son to manufacture wooden items from trees cut down in their tree surgery and forestry business. It is also used as a place for David to impart his woodworking knowledge on his son and spend quality time together. It also has a raised platform where he can sleep in the summer, if he wants!
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=5689
HISTORIC WINNER
Letsby Avenue Police Station – owned by Barry Anscomb-Moon in Cambridgeshire
Built onto a trailer, Letsby Avenue is a 1940s Civilian Police Station Living History display which tours around the UK to 1940s events and Police open days. Simply tow between events, add the skirts, porch, steps and other external features, then step back in time to a wartime police station. The public can come inside to learn all about policing during World War Two and to see the equipment, posters and paperwork relevant to policing during that period whilst hearing wartime radio broadcasts. They also work with other re-enactors to perform scenarios such as air raids.
Link: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6047
#NOTASHED WINNER
Bunker Shed – owned by Colin Furze in Lincolnshire
The ultimate iceberg in the shed world, this DIY extravaganza features a very practical shed at ground level, storing garden tools and family bikes. But it has a secret. Under some lovely rugs is a secret entrance to an underground bunker, also known as a man cave. The ultimate hide away room has everything a man could want including Sky TV, PlayStation, drum kit and band practice area. This shed also acts as an actual bunker as it is built with a metre of concrete around it.
