Shropshire trawler shed makes waves in Shed of the Year competition

A Shropshire man’s ingenious garden retreat has emerged as an early frontrunner in the annual Shed of the Year competition, which is celebrating its milestone 20th anniversary this year.

Richard Banks has captured the imagination of fellow "sheddies" across the country with his unique entry, "The Wheelhouse", which he built in complete secrecy using a weathered piece of maritime history.

He first spotted the structure while on holiday in 2022, sitting dockside in the harbourside town of Maryport, West Cumbria. The wheelhouse had reportedly been salvaged from an old fishing trawler several years prior and left by the port.

Upon returning home to Shropshire, he quietly tracked down the owner of the structure, who kindly gifted it to him. Richard then set about transporting it home and began a covert construction project whenever his fiancée, Abi, was away travelling for work.

To bring the vessel back to life, he poured a concrete base and laid a plinth of engineering bricks to elevate the structure, allowing enough height to add crucial insulation beneath a brand-new floor. The derelict interior was completely stripped out, and the weathered roof was entirely rebuilt. Mr Banks also installed electrics and crafted two beds utilizing a pair of chests of drawers that had been thrown out by a neighbour.

Richard said: “We spotted the Wheelhouse when holidaying in 2022 and on our return from our trip, I secretly set about tracking down its owner, who kindly gifted us the wheelhouse. On days when my fiancée Abi was away with work, I secretly began building a concrete base and laying a plinth of engineering bricks to provide enough height for insulation beneath a new floor. 

“The interior was stripped out, along with the roof, which was completely rebuilt. Electrics were installed, and two beds were made from two chests of drawers thrown out by a neighbour. 

“It would be wonderful to tell the people of Maryport that the old trawler wheelhouse we found on the harbourside, and which was so fondly remembered by locals, has been recognised in this way.” 

The nautical sanctuary is now competing against hundreds of ambitious outdoor structures in the prestigious competition, which is officially sponsored by garden building retailer Tiger for 2026. Entrants are battling it out across 12 distinct categories for a chance to win a £1,000 cash prize along with various products and prizes.

To mark the two-decade milestone, the 2026 competition has introduced several fresh categories and individual corporate sponsors, including Protek Products, Horsforth Brewery, and St Gemma’s Hospice. This year's official categories include Eco Haven, Workshop or Studio, Most Colourful Shed, Cabin or Summerhouse, Pub or Entertainment, Community Shed, Budget Champion, Garden Sanctuary, Unexpected or Unique, Simple but Effective, a brand-new Regional Winners category, and the exclusive Tiger in the Wild award for the sponsor's direct customers.

Andrew Wilcox, Founder and Head Judge of Shed of the Year, said: 

“We’re incredibly proud to be celebrating the competition’s 20th year. Over the past two decades we’ve seen thousands of brilliant sheds entered, and the creativity and passion people put into their spaces never stops amazing me. 

“This year’s entries are already fantastic, with people transforming sheds into everything from entertaining spaces to workshops, and unique hideaways. It’s brilliant to see the competition continuing to inspire so much imagination across the country.” 

Sam Jenkinson, Head of Marketing and Chief Sheddie at Tiger, added: 

 “It’s fantastic to be part of such a huge milestone year for Shed of the Year. The competition has become a real celebration of creativity, craftsmanship, and individuality. Whether it’s a traditional shed, a workshop, studio, pub, or something unique, we want people to know that any garden building can be entered, and it doesn’t have to be brand new if you’ve entered previously and not won, you can enter again this year. What matters most is the story behind the space and why it’s special to you. 

"We’re already seeing some incredibly imaginative sheds for 2026, and it’s exciting to see how people continue to reinvent what a garden building can be.” 

Shed enthusiasts have until 14th June to submit their own creations. A round of public voting and expert judging will follow, with the overall 2026 champion set to be officially crowned in July.