A warm cup of coffee in the garden feels more special when it’s enjoyed in the cosy confines of a wooden octagonal summerhouse. With light drawn in from every angle, an octagonal garden summerhouse surrounds you with uninterrupted views of your garden. It becomes an immersive outdoor escape, making it unique from other more traditional summerhouse designs. At Crane, our shaped summerhouses are handmade to order in our Norfolk workshop using PEFC-certified timber. 

What are octagonal summerhouses?

An octagonal summerhouse is an outdoor building with eight exterior panels, forming an octagon if observed from a birds-eye view. The symmetrical, multifaceted design usually features a door in the central front panel, flanked on either side by windows fitted into the adjoining panels. This brings in light from multiple angles and offers sweeping views across the garden. Other multi-sided designs include pentagonal summerhouses (5-sided) and hexagonal summerhouses (6-sided). Our Weybourne summerhouse is an excellent example of a pentagonal corner summerhouse, perfect for when you need more internal space in a compact area. 

Why have an octagonal summerhouse?

Octagonal summerhouses are popular for their adaptable size, and their wraparound windows which give an immersive garden view. Their design is so rooted in history that there are records from 1532 of King Henry VIII’s octagonal summerhouse at Hampton Court. Much like those ‘gloriettes’ of the 16th century, today’s octagonal summer houses are primarily used as a viewing point for garden enjoyment and appreciation. Today, many homeowners choose an insulated octagonal summerhouse as a light-filled garden retreat, hobby room or reading space that can be enjoyed throughout the year. 

The benefits of an octagonal summerhouse 

Impactful design 

The design naturally creates a central interior focal point, making it an ideal home for a bistro dining set or a writing desk. Multiple opening windows can be positioned around the structure for excellent ventilation and light. What’s more, the round, symmetrical design makes the summerhouse beautiful to admire from all angles. 

Perfect for small gardens 

Octagonal summerhouse designs are ideal for compact gardens, creating a striking foal point with panoramic garden views. They look equally beautiful as a show-stopping centrepiece at the top of a tiered garden as they do tucked away among the trees. Their characterful design brings a touch of whimsy and elegance to a romantic garden. 

A front-row seat to your garden, all year long 

When crafted from high-quality timber and properly insulated, an octagonal summerhouse can be enjoyed comfortably across the year. Our octagonal Wiveton summerhouse comes insulated and lined as standard, making it a beautiful, long-term investment in your home. 

Need something bespoke?
Our summerhouses are handmade to order, which means they can be customised to your needs. Whether you need a door in the gable, an altered window height or a custom size, our building design team can help you create just what you need.

Simply call us on 01760 444229 or get in touch at sales@cranegardenbuildings.co.uk. Feel free to attach images of your garden so that we can give you the best advice and support.