From Blank Canvas to Best in Class: Inside Surrey’s Summerhouse of the Season

Chris and Moira standing outside their beautiful hexagonal summerhouse with the doors open to show the cosy interior dressing surrounded by the couples immaculate green foliage, small trees and flowering plants.

“It’s become such a lovely space to escape to with a book and a coffee in the mornings, and it’s wonderful for spending time together or with the grandchildren. Even when the weather isn’t brilliant, we still use it all the time.”

— Moira Carter, Hindhead, Surrey

How Hindhead residents Chris and Moira Carter transformed a blank newbuild plot into an award-winning garden haven centred around a handcrafted timber Wiveton Summerhouse and a matching custom Superior Shed workshop.

At a Glance: Building Specifications

Model: Wiveton Summerhouse
Size: 3.0 x 3.0m
Windows: Double glazed & leaded
Roof Material: Cedar shingles
Exterior Paint: Lizard
Key Features: Natural matchboard lining & insulation, includes electrical pack.

Model: Superior Shed
Size: 4.2 x 3.0m
Windows: 2 opening & double glazed
Roof Material: Cedar shingles
Exterior Paint: Lizard
Key Features: Lined & insulated, heavy duty flooring, electrical pack, and 2 work benches.

The Challenge & The Vision

When retired couple Chris and Moira Carter moved into their newly built home in Hindhead, Surrey in 2019, they were greeted by a sprawling back garden that was, at the time, little more than a vast expanse of empty lawn. Eager to create an outdoor space that felt personal, full of character, and built with clear purpose, they embarked on an ambitious journey to turn the blank canvas into a garden masterpiece.

For Chris, a former Chief Engineer who spent his career designing Harrier jump jets for British Aerospace, and Moira, who dedicated 40 years to education before retiring as a headteacher, compromise on build quality was never an option. They wanted structures that possessed genuine architectural merit, exceptional materials, and traditional joinery.

Their search led them to Crane Garden Buildings’ Cranleigh show site, where seeing the timber structures in person cemented their decision.

“We’ve always believed in buying quality, and the Crane buildings immediately stood out. We met a fantastic gentleman at the show site who was absolutely the perfect salesperson for Crane – knowledgeable, passionate and never pushy. We went back a couple of times, but really we knew almost straight away they were exactly what we wanted.”

— Chris Carter

Designed for Purpose: Key Features & Upgrades

Installed in July 2020 and painted in matching heritage exterior shades, the Carters commissioned two distinct buildings to serve their respective passions:

• Coordinated Twin-Building Aesthetics: By selecting matching exterior paint tones across both the summerhouse and the workshop shed, the outbuildings create a cohesive design narrative that unifies the upper and lower sections of the garden.
• Dual Functional Zones: Moira’s summerhouse was positioned to capture maximum natural light as a peaceful reading retreat, while Chris’s heavy-duty workshop shed was outfitted with robust flooring and electrical power for engineering projects.
• Long-Term All-Weather Durability: Dense, high-grade timber cladding and precision joinery ensure both structures withstand the Surrey weather with minimal upkeep year after year.

The Lifestyle Impact:Summerhouse of the Season Winners

Over the past four years, the surrounding garden has evolved into a tapestry of thoughtfully landscaped zones. There is an orchard area attracting butterflies from the meadows beyond, raised rockeries bursting with seasonal blooms, a sunlit terrace for leisurely summer breakfasts, and a quiet patio dedicated to evening gin and tonics. At the heart of this landscape sit the two Crane buildings.

Moira’s summerhouse is a treasure trove of memories, furnished with Indian rugs, wicker seating, and mementos collected during Chris’s extensive travels to India with British Aerospace. Meanwhile, Chris uses his workshop shed—his personal "man cave"—to restore classic cars and contribute to an engineering project restoring two historic Harrier jump jets to flying condition.

Their creative vision earned them the nationwide title of Crane’s Summerhouse of the Season winners—an accolade that felt particularly rewarding after entering the competition previously.

“We were disappointed not to win last year, so this feels extra special. The plaque is now sitting proudly on the table, and we’ll definitely be enjoying a celebratory glass of wine in the summerhouse this evening.” — Moira Carter

Quality & Craftsmanship Assurance

Handcrafted to order at our Norfolk workshop using high-grade, sustainably sourced timber. Delivered and installed by our professional in-house fitting team, every building is backed by our 10-Year guarantee.

Four years after installation, Chris and Moira remain thoroughly impressed by how gracefully the timber structures have aged alongside their seasonal planting scheme:

“They still look fantastic after all these years. In fact, it’s only really this year we’ve thought they might need a little touch-up. They’ve settled beautifully into the garden and look like they’ve always belonged there.” — Chris Carter