Work From Oval

While we are obviously very much here to bang the gong for shedworking and garden offices (and other microarchitectural marvels), Shedworking has always been a supporter of third place working, the idea that you don't have to be sitting in a 'traditional' office to get your work done (we were perhaps the earliest exponent of pubworking).

So we've been following with some interest how Surrey County Cricket club have trialled its 'Work From Oval' experiment this summer, encouraging people to come and watch some County Championship matches at the Kia Oval and bring their work along too. 

For example, tickets for the late April game against Essex cost a very reasonable £15 and more than 100 people took advantage of the offer, making use of the various wifi upgrades during pre-season and the set aside work areas with desks, which not only have access to power but just as importantly clear views of the game. 

“We’re determined to continue to grow the audience for the Rothesay County Championship and the team have been working on ways to try and encourage more people to come through the gates this year," said Surrey CEO, Steve Elworthy. “We know that many fans treat the Kia Oval as their second home and have been using the ground to ‘Work From Oval’ for many years and we wanted to encourage others to come along as well.”

The initiative is continuing to run through all Surrey men’s and women’s games during working week hours this summer.

Photo courtesy Surrey CC

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK 

Voting opens for Shed of the Year 2026

It's time. The entrants to this year's Tiger Shed of the Year competition have been whittled town the public vote stage with 38 finalists battling to be overall champion in this 20th anniversary event. 

You can vote via the link above for:

• Unexpected/Unique Category
• Budget Category
• Cabin/Summerhouse Category
• Colourful Category
• Vote For the Eco-Haven Category
• Garden-Sanctuary Category
• Pub/Entertainment Category
• Simple But Effective Category
• Workshop/Studio Category

Public voting is now open and closes July 14. One of our favourites is The Wheelhouse, below, owned by Richard Banks & Abi from Chesterton, Shropshire.

 

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

 

Anne's Art Studio

A tremendous 36sqm asymmetrical artist's studio under a tree canopy in Wiltshire from Richmond Bell Architects, pictured above next to the 1950s bungalow on the same property. The SIPs-built studio has a large metal-framed window and roof light to get in as much light as possible and offer nice views of the garden, as well as charred timber cladding, concealed gutters, and a natty interior window seat.

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company

 

Friday Finery: Lewis & Wood at Plankbridge

Shepherd's hut specialists Plankbridge launched a new partnership at Chelsea Flower Show this year with wallpaper and fabric company Lewis & Wood. Here's what the interior of your new hut could look like!

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information 

Composer's Cabin comes to St Pancras station

My favourite build from Chelsea Flower Show this year has come to meet a wider public in St Pancras station in London

Post-show, the Martha Krempel and Malvern Garden Buildings delight is now on display in the main concourse where passersby can nip in and learn more about garden offices, shedworking, and peatland conservation. Or as the St Pancras folk put it:

Visitors are invited to pause during their journey, explore the space and reflect on the relationship between creativity, nature and the environments that inspire both. The installation also celebrates London St. Pancras Highspeed’s long-standing connection with music through the inclusion of a Steinway Spirio self-playing piano, creating moments of reflection and spontaneous performance throughout the day. 

You can nip in and have a gander until June 21. 

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Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master, bespoke garden rooms and offices designed, manufactured and installed throughout the UK 

 

Booths launches redesigned web site

Booths Garden Studios has gone live with its new redesigned web site. It's well worth clicking through from the link and having a good nose round - Shedworking gives it the thumbs up for smartness, detail, and interest, with a good case studies section and plenty of information about its various zero maintenance offerings, as well as renting details and an attractive gallery.

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

 

Last chance to enter Shed of the Year 2026

There's only a week to go before entries close for this year's 20th anniversary Shed of the Year competition. 

The last day is June 14 to get your shed into the mix, before public voting begins the following day and closes on July 14. The winners will be announced on July 29, with an overall winner, category winners, and regional winners.

Organiser and founder of the competition Andrew Wilcox, known to us old-timers as Uncle Wilco, is particularly encouraging entries in the Simple But Effective, Community, and Colourful categories. 

Click the link top for more information about how to enter. 

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Monday's posts are sponsored by Smart Modular Buildings, the UK's best garden room company