Boozers do battle for UK’s Pub Shed of the Year – and so they have cheaper pints

Three traditional English pubs that are actually DIY man caves are in the running to be crowned the winner of Britain’s best Pub Shed of the Year 2024.

They might look like the inside of your local boozer or countryside pub, but the incredible miniature bars have all been built in back garden sheds across the UK.

The trio of finalists have now been announced by judges after being whittled down from more than one thousand entries.

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They include the Shaun of the Dead-inspired The Winchester, in Eastleigh, Hampshire, which features a beautifully ornate bar, poker table and dart board.

The patriotic Adelaide, in South Benfleet, Essex, is also decked out to look like a stereotypical British pub. It boasts a big screen and original furniture from closed down pubs.

The Rob Inn, in Ascot, Berkshire , has more of a rustic country pub vibe with wooden panels, brickwork and a wood burner next to its fully-stocked bar.

The brilliant back yard boozers will now go head-to-head to be crowned the winner of this year’s national contest on August 17.

Kev Marchant first began building The Winchester in October 2022 and used his contacts in the construction trade to source materials for the 6m x 3m long bar.

He said: “Myself and the wife Gina came up with the idea in October 2020. We put the wheels in motion late December and pretty much had it done within a month as we worked on it most days.

“Like many others we decided to build the pub mainly because of lockdown and somewhere to entertain our friends.

“We decided on the pub name ‘The Winchester’ as we were both born in Winchester in Hampshire. Also the pub name in Shaun of the Dead – albeit a different pandemic – was also called The Winchester.”

Terence Rogers, the Adelaide ‘landlord’, already had an outside bar at his property but wanted a pub shed he could use all year round.

“We now host quiz and game nights and general get togethers over pub food and has become a meeting hub for the street/family and friends to enjoy music or watch major sporting events on a large dropdown screen with additional speakers to allow music to be played in the garden,” he said.

Robin Arkwright built his “cozy, rustic, snug” called Rob-Inn in a room at the rear of his garage, which is only accessible through a single discreet door.

He said: “After having built a small bar in there a few years ago, we decided to knock the wall through, with the help of my wonderful neighbour, to gain a little more space.

“I started the build in the summer last year and finished it in April.”

Twofatblokes.co.uk bar signs runs an annual competition for back garden publicans to enter the converted Pub Shed of The Year.

It is estimated that over two million back garden pubs are now operating in Britain, following a surge in popularity during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ashley Turner, from Two Fat Blokes Bar Sign Emporium, said: “With the average cost of a pint now over £4.94 across the UK & over £5.59 in London, it’s no surprise that Britons are looking for ways to save on the cost of their entertainment.

“By having your own garden pub, gin palace or garden bar you save on the cost of the booze with a pint from the local supermarket from only £1.35 a can it’s easy to see how much is saved by having your favourite tipple at home, then there’s no expensive taxis or waiting at a bus stop.”

The winner will be announced live on Ngageradio.co.uk on August 17.

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