West Country sheds make national competition shortlist

Four of the West Country's exotic sheds have been shortlisted in the Shed of the Year competition. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition

The Shed of the Year competition's 2017 shortlist is out and the West Country has proved it has got no shortage of eccentric and extraordinary sheds.

#GIRLSHED – owned by Emily Fisher in Bristol

It's bright, it's colourful, it’s full of flamingos and it belongs to a mermaid! YouTuber, Mermaid Gossip or Emily Fisher, has created a colourful summer workspace in her back garden. With an internet connection and a comfortable sofa, Emily can sit and work while looking out across Bristol. With a love for DIY, the shed also doubles as a place to store her essentials.

This shed comes complete with flamingo and inflatable mermaid. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition

Hobbit House – owned by Susan Price in Bristol

Designed as a magical space overlooking the pond to share quality time with family and friends, The Hobbit House is a labour of love for Susan who in the early stages used the focus on creativity and fun of the build to help her through illness. Using as many local and reused materials as possible, this eco summer house shed made of wood, stone, cob and straw now has plenty of uses including the odd night’s sleep over for the grandchildren.

This Hobbit House shed is tucked away in Bristol. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition
Inside the Hobbit House. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition

Whisky HQ – owned by David Nicks in Devon

Originally set up as a retreat for the family to escape to on a Sunday night with a meal enjoyed in front of the wood burner and some board games, David Nicks' shed has found a second purpose. His whiskey group meet here regularly to taste and score different drink. Now the 'Malt Enthusiasts North Tawton And Lager' call the shed in Devon home. Features include the old back door of the local pub, a wellington bomber landing light, an old work bench as a table and a framed photo of Daphne Du Maurier's father.

Whiskey HQ in Devon. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition
Malt Enthusiasts North Tawton And Lager meet regularly in this shed. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition

Lagonda Shed – owned by Tim Kerridge in Dorset

Tim's passion for old cars stems from his childhood where his father used to take him to school in his 1932 supercharged Lagonda. During the 1960s, Tim's father decided that he wanted to race turned a 1934 Lagonda Rapier into a competition special. After inheriting the spare Lagonda, Tim began building his own competition special which now lives in his shed. Still used as a genuine workshop, it is also a nostalgic garage full of automobile memorabilia retaining a pre-war classic style.

Stepping into Tim Kerridge's shed is like stepping back in time. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition
Tim's competition special Lagonda. Credit: Shed of the Year Competition