The garden shed is as much a part of British life as tea and cricket, and with a myriad of quirky designs out there, this once-humble outbuilding has now become something of an art form. Celebrating the best of this beloved institution, the Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition has chosen 21 of Britain's best sheds and named their overall winner...

Aptly named, The Retro Retreat was inspired by a 1970s living room. The compact cabin was created by Louise Mayoh and her partner from two old salvaged sheds that were ripped apart and repurposed. Its windows and doors were also rescued from a local tip, so the project was extremely eco and budget-friendly. 

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Located in Devon, the shed's interior oozes vintage charm, with mustard hues and bold floral motifs. Complete with a bar, the garden retreat took about 60 hours to create and cost around £149 ($180), making it a real bargain! An old-fashioned heater keeps the interior warm, while the 70s theme continues outside with a vibrant outdoor seating area, complete with retro sun loungers and umbrellas.

Andrius Simaska wanted to design a practical eco-friendly shed for his allotment. Formed from recycled wooden pallets, the shed came in at a budget-friendly £100 ($121) and features a green living roof. Andrius even made matching outdoor furniture from the leftover pallet wood, creating a cosy space to dine alfresco in the summer months.

Inside, the allotment cabin is the perfect space for storing tools and tending to plants. The worktops are made out of pallets, while shelf boxes have been installed onto the walls to provide additional storage space for all of Andrius's crops. Garden gnomes add a playful touch to the exterior of the shed, while pallet ends have been used to build a birdhouse and exterior storage units for logs.

Truly creative, The Wagon lies in the garden of Jim and Becky Mills from North East Lincolnshire and is a full-size replica of a North Eastern Railway wagon. The shed was constructed by Jim from scrap metal and other reclaimed materials, yet despite its salvaged approach, the cabin still cost the couple over £1,000 ($1,213) to complete, but when you see inside you may understand why...

Taking just three months to create from start to finish, this quirky shed is decked out with retro pub memorabilia, including branded mirrors, tankards, ashtrays and glassware. An old-fashioned timber bar, pub table, chairs and stools make this garden oasis feel like a classic English boozer, complete with a coal-burning fireplace for the winter months. In warmer weather, there's a BBQ area, small pond and seating area to enjoy.

Found in Kent, appropriately known as the Garden of England, the Shed of Two Halves is one of the most modern structures to make the shortlist this year. Created by owner Andrew Mowl, the outbuilding was designed to be a relaxing space for the whole family to enjoy. 

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As the name suggests, the shed is split in half to form a bar area at one end and a treehouse for the children at the other, with a bug hotel acting as a partition between the two sides. Costing just over £1,000 ($1,213), the shed offers a cool, bohemian vibe with swathes of glazing and an attractive, natural timber interior.

Proving that a cool garden shed doesn't need to cost the earth, this quintessentially English design cost its owner Anne a mere £50 ($61). Named The Vintage Tea Shed, this tiny shack is the only place you'll want to be when you're craving an afternoon refreshment. Anne's husband rescued the shed from the rafters of an old barn, and with a bit of TLC and cleaning, it was transformed into a quirky craft den.

Surrounded by vintage teacups, kitsch furnishings and retro storage tins sourced from second-hand shops, Anne escapes to her shed when she wants to get creative. Making the most of the small space, the tea shed offers a handy fold-down table to work at, and best of all, thanks to its use of recycled and reclaimed materials, this cute shed was a real bargain to bring to life!

Reminiscent of a scene from Lord of the Rings, this Hobbit-style shed is a real work of art. The unique shack has a pretty unique purpose too – Chris Hield designed the cabin as a workshop space where he could make armour and chain mail! Located in Derbyshire, the shed cost less than £500 ($605) to create, with the structure formed from local reclaimed bricks and timber.

A large circular wooden door leads inside to a cosy space finished with homely, traditional decor. Exposed timber detailing, an old wood-burning stove and plenty of antique fixtures make the space feel warm and cosy. Chris dug through 22 tonnes of wet clay in order to create the Hobbit retreat, finishing the project in just eight weeks.

Dean Haden created this hippy-inspired summerhouse from an old sauna that was gifted to him by friends. Costing just over £500 ($605) to construct, the chic shed was formed mostly from recycled materials. Cleverly, the main entrance was hung on a barn door sliding system, maximizing interior space, while the metal wall panels are designed to rust and weather over time, adding texture and warmth to the exterior.

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Inspired by his daughter's love of mandala prints, Dean designed the interior to be vibrant, laid-back and cosy. In true 60s style, the shed features a lounge bed, complete with scatter cushions, plus a snug dog bed for Dean's pet pooch, Treacle. The hippy hideaway also has a television, charging points, fibre optic lighting and a fireplace with its own chimney, so you're guaranteed a cosy space all year round.

Positioned at the top of a wildflower hay meadow in Carmarthenshire, Wales, The Hut is a tranquil rural retreat where shed-fan Julian Wormald can relax, escape the hustle and bustle and watch the clouds go by. In order to make the most of its idyllic setting, Julian installed a large opening glazed opening at the front, drawing the great outdoors inside.

The quaint shepherd's hut functions off-grid, with a small solar PV panel battery powering the structure's LED lights when the sun goes down. Costing just over £1,000 ($1,213) to build, the shed has become part of the National Garden Scheme, allowing members of the public to explore the surroundings and take a tea break in this stunning country idyll.

Adorned in vibrant colours, the Artistintheshed is a peaceful garden getaway where owner Mary Price channels her creativity. Costing £1,200 ($1,455) to create, the studio is located in Bristol and has become an extension of Mary's artwork, with the exterior walls and window frames painted to reflect a summer meadow. With some global recognition already, the shed was once featured in a Japanese magazine about tiny homes.

Inside, the shed is alive with colour. The white internal walls reflect the natural light that floods in through the shed's five large windows. A vintage bookcase, table and 1950s kitchen unit provide storage for all of Mary's art supplies, while some of the shed's other finishing touches were sourced from a local reclamation yard.

Susan Lowe's Super Shed lies in Hampshire and was designed as a versatile entertaining space for her and her daughter. The timber hut also doubles up as a craft workshop for Susan, as well as a dining area, an office, a bar and a place to showcase her late husband’s Army memorabilia, collected during his 23-year career in the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

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Described as the “Swiss Army Knife of sheds”, the garden retreat is used for parties, play dates and weekend craft sessions. Complete with a basketball net and chalkboards, the shed measures a cosy 10 by 16 feet, and was clad and insulated by Susan and her sister. Two windows open up to offer gorgeous woodland views, creating a lovely breeze that flows right through the interior.

Tucked away in a leafy Hampshire garden, owner Kieran Gillingham made this cabin from recycled oak and sweet chestnut timber, salvaged from numerous local rivers. Kieran loves fishing and working with wood, so the shed was his chance to combine his two passions and build the perfect place to retreat to after a long day out on the lake.

Constructed at a cost of less than £499 ($604), the space offers a laidback, rustic vibe with a stocked bar and memorabilia sourced from The Black Horse pub, which closed down in 2014. Kieran installed a large perspex sheet in the roof to allow daylight to flood into the cosy shed, while a firepit on the adjacent terrace means the party can spill outside in the summer months.

The Ark was designed by Stuart Campbell as a space to escape and pursue his passion for crafting musical instruments and furniture. Nestled in his back garden, the private garden workshop is based on the iconic Stimson Boatshed design, which mimics the upturned silhouette of a boat. Costing around £1,000 ($1,213) to construct, the shed features bi-folding doors and plenty of storage for tools.

The build process took almost three years, with Stuart undertaking the construction single-handedly. The stunning curve of the interior beams highlights just how much care and attention went into the architectural design. Beautifully lined with pine shiplap cladding, the workshop has everything Stuart needs for his woodworking projects, including a vintage jukebox.

This next shed is quite literally out of this world. Designed and built by Jon Spooner and his design partner Rhys Jarman, the galactic-inspired hideaway was created as a place to teach children about the universe. Inspired by astronaut Tim Peake, the pair turned a garden hut into the home of the Unlimited Space Agency (UNSA). In 2015, Peake even took a tiny 3D-printed replica of Jon into space!

A mobile design, the trailer of the shed was welded onto a steel frame, while all the necessary cabling and electrics were built into the walls before the cladding was installed. Hydraulics allow the doors and roof to open up, revealing a mini stage with an LED lighting rig, a large screen and sound system. Last summer, the pair toured Britain in the shed, visiting festivals and sharing stories about all things outer space.

Also known as the John Lennon Island Home, the Instant Karma Cabin is a secluded shed that lies on the edge of a remote forest close near the western mountains of Northern Ireland. Designed by John Moore, the ambitious hut was inspired by the Beatles star, who had plans drawn up for a remote home on a nearby island, but was tragically killed before his vision could be brought to life.

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Constructed from local logs, John spent two years felling and maintaining the surrounding woodland prior to building the cabin. Stripped-back and simplistic, the Scandi cabin blends into its forest setting, offering a minimalist interior ideal for weekend escapes. Inside, a mezzanine level provides a cosy sleeping loft, while a generator and a log-burning stove produce heat and hot water.

Based on a classic American log cabin, Hunter's Bothy is a characterful garden retreat in South Lanarkshire. Designed and built by Ian McMorran and his neighbours, the shed features a quaint stone path which leads from the garden to the hideaway's front door. Formed from sheets of hardwood, the shed cost in excess of £1,000 ($1,213) to complete.

Inside, the retreat has a beautiful ceiling that resembles the night's sky, adorned with stars and a moon. A working log burner keeps the shed warm throughout the year, while antique hunting equipment and two old rocking chairs channel a rustic Wild West aesthetic. It really is an unexpected hideaway in the British countryside!

This creative garden shed offers a place for writer David Stocks to hone his craft. Designed in a steampunk style, the shed was based on Jules Verne's book, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and features a submarine-style door, a round window and a circular Captain's table. Elevated by stilts, the structure has blue lighting fitted underneath, creating the illusion of a ship at sea once night falls.

Emphasising the seafaring theme, the shed even has speakers that emit the sound of waves crashing. Located in Staffordshire, the nautical retreat was built from log lap timber, while a reclaimed porthole floods the interior with natural light. There's also a jellyfish light fixture and an octopus door handle, adding to its ocean-inspired charm!

This modern A-frame design, named Woody Willow, is the work of Tom Prior, whose lifelong ambition was to design and build his own garden retreat. Located in his back garden in West Sussex, the cabin was created as a hideaway for his children to play. A versatile structure, Tom ensured the shed could adapt to become a hangout space when they reached their teenage years too.

Despite its petite size, the Woody Willow has two floors and offers additional space thanks to a clever cantilevered level – not unlike some of the structures you might expect to see on Grand Designs. Floor-to-ceiling windows align on both elevations, providing exceptional light inside, as well as lovely views across Tom's flourishing garden. There's even a pulley wheel outside, so the kids can haul toys from the ground up using a small bucket!

Handmade by 23-year-old Tom Duckworth, an apprentice metal worker, this shed is also his full-time, off-grid home. In 2016, Tom bought a 1982 Bedford MJ ex-army lorry, building a steel frame on its back and cladding the shell in reclaimed wooden pallets, which he sourced locally. Large side openings allow the interior to be fully opened up, while a wooden terrace offers a snug space to relax outdoors.

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Leftover pallet wood was used to create the interior ceiling and walls, as well as the kitchen and the built-in sofa base. The wooden kitchen countertops were formed from the lorry’s original bed, while cupboards were built from old ammo boxes. Tom also created his own fold-down bed using ropes and brackets, as well as a fully-functional bathroom, built from recycled copper pipes. What could be more innovative than that?

Hidden in Christopher Atkin's garden in Wiltshire, My Shed was built from simple timber planks and has double sliding doors and a camouflage facade featuring hand-painted vines. The shack even offers a lovely outdoor seating area and patio planters, allowing Christopher to make the most of the great British summer!

Inside, there's a comfy couch, space-saving storage units and a fold-out table. With both mains electricity and solar power stored in a two-battery system, the shed can run off-grid in the summer. Ideal for a night in with friends, the hideaway is fitted out with heating, surround sound, TV screens and DVD racks.

Built from recycled materials, Shack Attack is a shed that evolved overtime. Costing owner Justin just over £500 ($608) to create, the rustic garden hideaway can be found in Surrey and offers space to relax, cook and even sleep. Inspired by the concept of a desert island hideaway built from jetsam that had washed ashore, Justin began trawling local skips to source his building materials.

Without any drawings or plan, and with little knowledge or craftsmanship, Justin began the build, changing the design over time as he came across new materials. An arborist by profession, Shack Attack brings Justin closer to the natural world, with a pond, orchard and pastures lying to outside the front door. The ingenious shed even comes with its own outdoor kitchen!

While some of these impressive outbuildings were created for less than a few hundred pounds, this ultra-cool shed cost more than £1,000 ($1,213) to complete. Designed by Chris Smith, this Northamptonshire-based garden oasis will transport you to the tropics, thanks to its quirky Tiki bar, full-sized palm trees, bamboo cladding and ornamental Hawaiian statues!

Inside, the Hawaiian retreat offers everything from a cocktail bar to a faux ocean-view window. Located in Chris's garden, it's the perfect spot for an evening drink, a lively family party or to while away a rainy afternoon. So who has been crowned the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2019?

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After a record-breaking number of entries and over 16,000 votes, the winner of the Cuprinol Shed of the Year has been revealed as Bux End. Chris, 49 of Buxton, said: “I’m delighted - and in shock! We are massive Lord of the Rings fans so when we decided to build our own shed we knew it had to be a hobbit hole." As well as the coveted title Chris has been presented with £1,000, a wooden plaque, £100 worth of Cuprinol products as well as a giant crown for the super shed.