Not just somewhere to store the tools... the sheds that have been transformed to look like castles, warships and even a beach hut

• The annual competition has already attracted almost 2,000 entries
• Research found that 12 per cent of owners prefer time in sheds to being with families

By Daily Mail Reporter

Published: 22:30 EST, 18 February 2013 | Updated: 13:37 EST, 2 April 2013

For most homeowners, a shed is simply a convenient place for storage.

But for those who take their wooden huts a little more seriously, sheds can be transformed into ocean-crossing warships or stately castles.

Some of Britain's most unusual shed designs have been unveiled as part of a competition, proving that for many people sheds have as much to do with escapism as DIY.

All aboard: Clare Kapma's shed, inspired by her love of Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, is one of the entrants to this year's Shed of the Year competition

Impressive: Dave Hepplewhite, 38, of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, opted for a castle-themed shed to entertain his children

Unusual: Colin Miles, 49, of Ashford, Kent, built a Chinese pagoda-style shack

The annual 'Shed of the Year' competition has already attracted almost 2,000 entries - including 257 pubs and 20 Tardises.

One of the entrants was legendary actor Brian Blessed, who is proud of his shed showing off props and other memorabilia from his decades-long career.

Clare Kapma, of Abertillery in south Wales, has a giant galleon flying the Union Jack in her garden.

Celebrity: Actor Brian Blessed is one of the 'sheddies' who have nominated their sheds for the title

Crowded: The thespian shed is filled with theatrical props and other memorabilia from the actor's career

Hero: Mr Blessed, centre, is a cult favourite for his booming voice and extravagant beard

She says her shipshape shed was inspired by her love of Lord Nelson's flagship HMS Victory, famous for its role in the Battle of Trafalgar.

Her shed boasts a top deck, rigging, a captain's quarter, the skull and crossbones and hammocks to unwind in.

The entries have revealed how homeowners have used all manner of imaginative materials to create their prized sheds.

Patriotic: Amy Williams, of Aiskew in North Yorkshire, created a tribute to the Royal Family in her shed

Traditional: The shed is packed full of British memorabilia celebrating our national history

Historic: Ms Williams celebrates major figures such as Winston Churchill in her charming shed

Ann Bate, 45, of St Helens, Merseyside, created a glitzy 1950s American-style diner in tribute to her late parents.

It features a diner booth, juke box, TV and even a petrol pump. She said: 'My parents Renee and Albert really enjoyed 50s style and music.

'I have a little 1950s original radio which belonged to my parents and I decided to name the shed after them.

'I have had my shed sign, menus, banner and entrance rug professionally made and personalised.

'The diner is my pride and joy and on special occasions my large family gather here and dress up in 50s style and dance to 50s music.'

Welcome in: This 50s-style diner shed would fit right in to retro television shows such as Happy Days

Glitzy: Ann Bate of St Helens transformed the end of her garden into an American-style diner

Effort: The disconcertingly accurate atmosphere was created by the import of perfect details

Quirky: Ms Bate and her husband have customised the space with their own designs

Hut: Sharron Smart, 64, of Chelveston, Northants, designed her shed like a beach hut

Researchers from competition sponsors Cuprinol found that the typical owner spends over a year of their life in their shed.

Almost 50 per cent of the 1,000 owners surveyed say they would be lost without their sheds, with 12 per cent preferring time there to being with their family.

Almost a quarter of male owners - 22 per cent - admit their shed is a safe haven they hide in to avoid arguments while a frisky six per cent have had sex in their shed.

Colin Miles, 49, of Ashford, Kent, wanted to liven up his small garden and found conventional sheds 'unattractive', so he built a Chinese pagoda-style shack.

Natural: This shed in Wales is made from wooden planks supporting the upturned hull of a boat

Rustic: A look up at the roof quickly reveals that it originated as something completely different

Landscape: The boat-roofed shed has a stunning view looking over the countryside

Cute: This blue-and-pink shed would provide a welcome sight at the end of anyone's back garden

Twee: Inside, it contains more bright colours as well as patterned crockery and other curios

He said: 'The idea was conceived from my love of Chinese architecture and it has been painted in traditional Chinese colours.

'It is finished with gold leaf Chinese calligraphy saying: 'Justice for all the World' down the door and, 'Peace, Love, Harmony and Compassion' down the side panels.'

Dave Hepplewhite, 38, of Doncaster, South Yorkshire, opted for a castle shed to entertain his children while Sharron Smart, 64, of Chelveston, Northants, plumped for the beach hut look.

Nominations for the competition close on May 3rd, while the winners will be announced in the first week of July.

Impressive: This shiny shed was made with a metallic material which sparkles in the sunlight

Arty: Peter Ellis transformed his shed in Ireland into a tribute to abstract artist Piet Mondrian

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