PICK A POD
These portable, contemporary garden
rooms don’t need planning permission
and provide the perfect home-from-home
glamping experience. Think Dick and Angel
Strawbridge’s domes in their Channel 4
programme Escape to the Chateau. When
assembled, the transparent igloo designs offer
a panoramic view of the garden and keep
themselves cool during the summer and warm
in winter. For instance, the Garden Igloo (£849,
http://www.cuckooland.com) can be built without
tools and is made from non-corrosive recyclable
materials as well as being wind, water and
snow proof. Plus, there’s no foundation work
to do either, simply secure the structure with
the anchoring system provided.BAG A BEACH HUT
Extend your home-stay holidays by renting or buying a beach hut. Register your interest with
the local estate agents and council and keep checking noticeboards on the beach itself as well
as tourist information offices and websites so you don’t miss out when one comes up. Most councils
won’t let you stay in them overnight but they do still provide the perfect sheltered day retreat for
somewhere to get changed and chill out when you fancy a spot of lunch or a cuppa. If you’re looking
to invest, make sure you budget for the extra costs that will include a yearly licence fee payable to
either a private site owner and/or council, insurance (building and contents) as well as locks and any
repainting and general upkeep.5
6
nwww.planningportal.co.uk for
information and advice on whether you
need planning permission for your small
space getaway.
nwww.propertyauctionaction.co.uk
has a nationwide list of auction houses and
catalogues for potential renovation projects.
nwww.beach-huts.com has details of beach
huts to buy and sell in all the popular locations.
nwww.gumtree.com and http://www.ebay.co.uk
are good places to search for second-hand
shepherd’s huts.Useful contacts
‘With so many different shapes,
sizes and styles available, think carefully
about how you’ll use your summerhouse
before making the final choice. For a versatile
extra room, buy the biggest building you can
afford. A corner summerhouse is an excellent
way to make use of space in your garden. Go to
town with the décor and landscape it well- you’ll use it so much more if there’s a
well-lit path and a cosy welcome!’
Anna Sippel, Product Marketing
Manager at Waltons,
http://www.waltons.co.uk
Insider info
Splash out on a decent tent or a yurt
and you have an instant summer retreat
at home or away. Lighting, from a
selection, http://www.lights4fun.co.uksImage Oliver Perrott PhotographyVisit http://www.uniquehomestays.com for exclusive
and unusual places to stay. Ideal for inspiration
for transforming your place or if you fancy a
weekend away. Libertine is a luxury self-catering
cottage on the north Cornwall coastNaturally cool in summer and warm in winter,
a solid log cabin from Norwegian Log could
be used as a chill-out space for teens, a home
office, home gym or hobby room with prices
from £15,233, http://www.norwegianlog.co.uk