These three traditional English pubs are actually DIY man caves competing to be crowned winners of Britain’s Best Pub of the Year 2024.
They may look like the inside of a local tavern or country pub, but these amazing miniature bars have been built in back garden sheds across the UK.
The judges have announced a trio of finalists after selecting from more than a thousand entries.
These include Shaun of the Dead-inspired The Winchester in Eastleigh, Hampshire, which features an ornate bar, poker table and darts board.
Next up, the patriotic Adelaide in South Benfleet, Essex, is also decorated to look like a typical British pub. It features a large screen and original furnishings from several closed pubs.
Last but not least, The Rob Inn in Ascot, Berkshire has a more rustic country pub feel with wood panelling, brickwork and a wood-burning stove next to its fully stocked bar.
The brilliant backyard drinkers will now battle it out to be crowned the winner of this year’s national contest on August 17.
Shaun of the Dead-inspired The Winchester restaurant in Eastleigh, Hampshire (pictured) features an ornate bar, poker table and darts board.
The patriotic Adelaide, in South Benfleet, Essex (pictured), is also decorated to look like a stereotypical British pub.
The Rob Inn in Ascot, Berkshire (pictured) has a more rustic country pub feel with wood panelling, brickwork and a wood-burning stove next to its fully stocked bar.
Kev Marchant began building The Winchester in October 2022 and used his contacts in the construction industry to source materials for the 6m x 3m long bar.
He said: ‘My wife Gina and I came up with the idea in October 2020. We got things going at the end of December and pretty much finished it within a month as we worked on it almost every day.
‘As I work in the construction industry, I knew some people who could help me with things like electricity, carpets, etc.
‘Like many others, we decided to build the pub mainly due to lockdown and as a place to entertain our friends.
‘We decided to call the pub ‘The Winchester’ because we were both born in Winchester, Hampshire.
‘Also the name of the pub in Shaun of the Dead – although it was about a different pandemic – was also called The Winchester.
‘I opted for the traditional old-school style basically because I have fond memories of my younger days enjoying these types of pubs, so I thought I’d try and put one in the garden.
“It’s the best thing we’ve ever done, we’ve had our own and friends’ birthday parties, some fun poker nights too and the taxi ride home is really cheap.”
Kev Marchant began building The Winchester in October 2022 and used his contacts in the construction industry to source materials for the 6m x 3m long bar.
The couple decided, due to the lockdown, to give their friends a place to entertain.
The owners say they have had some fun poker nights since opening the pub.
Mr Marchant opted for the traditional, old-school style because he had “fond memories of my younger days enjoying these types of pubs”.
Adelaide ‘landlord’ Terence Rogers already had a beer garden on his property, but wanted a pub shed he could use all year round.
He added: ‘We had an outdoor bar that could only be used when the weather was nice, so we decided to build a bar that could be used all year round.
‘In 2022 we had the base and main structure built, the work of my nephew, which we fitted out like a traditional English pub.
‘All the furniture has been sourced from closed pubs or second-hand sites and we have restored it ourselves to a good standard.
‘The name of the pub was suggested because of the name of our street, but after some research we discovered that there actually was a Queen Adelaide who was Queen consort to William IV from 1830-1837 and the picture on the sign is a true representation of her; Adelaide in Australia was named in her honour.
‘We now host games and quiz nights and general get-togethers with pub food and it has become a hub for street, family and friends to meet up to enjoy music or watch major sporting events on a large drop-down screen with additional speakers to allow music to be played in the garden.’
Adelaide ‘landlord’ Terence Rogers already had a beer garden on his property, but wanted a pub shed he could use all year round.
Mr. Roger’s family and friends enjoy music or watch important sporting events on a large drop-down screen with additional speakers that allow music to be played in the garden.
All the furniture was sourced from closed pubs or second-hand sites and restored by Mr Rogers.
Robin Arkwright built his cosy, rustic home in a room at the back of his garage, accessible only through a single, discreet door.
He said: ‘Having built a small bar there a few years ago, we decided to knock down the wall, with the help of my wonderful neighbour, to gain a bit more space.
‘I started construction in the summer of last year and finished it in April.
‘The materials are a mix of reclaimed woods, along with new woods that I’ve distressed to achieve that rustic feel.
‘I always wanted the bar to be brick, but the walls were cinder block, so a little creativity was required.
‘I laid it all out and created the bricks from MDF, each of which was individually finished and hand painted. It was a labour of love, but it’s always a conversation starter.
‘Since completion and during construction we have spent many wonderful evenings with family, friends and neighbours, and we look forward to many more.
‘I always had difficulty coming up with a name and one morning while I was in the garden a robin landed just a few feet from my feet.
“It was always my late father’s favorite bird and some say it was a ‘sign that loved ones were coming to visit’. Since my name was Rob, that was all there was to it. The ‘Rob-Inn’ was born.”
Robin Arkwright built his cosy, rustic home in a room at the back of his garage, accessible only through a single, discreet door.
Mr Arkwright began construction in the summer of last year and completed it in April this year.
The materials are a mix of reclaimed wood, along with new wood that Mr. Arkwright has distressed to achieve “that rustic feel.”
Twofatblokes.co.uk pub posters run an annual competition for garden pub owners to enter the converted pub shed of the year competition.
There are believed to be more than two million garden pubs currently operating in Britain after their popularity exploded during the coronavirus pandemic.
Ashley Turner, of Two Fat Blokes Bar Sign Emporium, said: ‘With the cost of living crisis huge, more and more homeowners are adding their own pub to their gardens.
‘With the average cost of a pint currently at over £4.94 in the UK and over £5.59 in London, it’s no surprise that Brits are looking for ways to save on the cost of their entertainment.
“If you have your own pub, gin palace or garden bar, you save on the cost of drink – a pint at your local supermarket costs just £1.35 a can. It’s easy to see how much you’ll save by drinking your favourite tipple at home, without having to take expensive taxis or wait at a bus stop.”
The winner of the Pub Shed of The Year 2024 will be announced on 17 August.
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