Backyard Boozers Battle for Pub Shed of the Year Crown
Three DIY backyard pubs, including one constructed on the site of a former chicken coop, are competing to be named Britain's Pub Shed of the Year 2026. The finalists were selected from over 1,000 entries in the annual competition organized by Twofatblokes.co.uk.
The contenders range from a traditional countryside-style pub to two sports bars equipped with pool tables, dart boards, fussball, and table tennis. The winner receives £500 worth of prizes and will be announced live on Ngageradio.co.uk next month.
The Pampered Chicken: A Recycled Tribute
Paul Brimecome from Portsmouth, Hampshire, built The Pampered Chicken on the original site of his chicken coop. The 9.6m by 4.8m pub is made almost entirely from recycled materials, including pallets and Facebook Marketplace finds. It features a pool table, a large darts wall, retro arcade games, and a fruit machine.
"Our home pub is built on the original site of our chicken coop. Built by family, friends, and neighbours starting in May 2022, it is a vibrant social hub," Brimecome said. "We named it in memory of our dear friend Carol. She always joked that our seven chickens were the most pampered in the world."
The historic bar originally belonged to a Hong Kong sailing club, while windows came from a local renovation. Salvaged soundproof insulation from a music studio creates a cosy atmosphere. The pub includes a toilet and a shower with disco lights, a second-hand 10-line beer chiller, and a bespoke hand-painted dartboard wall. The Pampered Chicken even has its own darts team, The Pampered Peckers.
The Mucky Pub: From Outbuilding to Traditional Boozer
Adam Cockroft of Wakefield, West Yorkshire, built The Mucky Pub after moving into his new home two years ago. The pub, constructed from solid blockwork outbuildings, includes a games room with a pool table, air hockey, table tennis, shuffleboard, table football, and arcade machines.
"The main buying point of the house was the outbuildings that were located at the bottom of the garden," Cockroft said. "We opted for a traditional pub theme and bought all the furniture second hand." The name originated from a family joke: "When our kids were young if ever we were going out for a drink we'd always say we were off to 'The Mucky Pub' that name stuck." The pub opened in May 2025.
Hibbys: A Wolves-Themed Family Haven
Tina and Rich Hibbs from Rugeley, Staffordshire, created Hibbys, a bar decked out with Wolverhampton Wanderers FC memorabilia. The pub includes an outdoor play area and beer garden, making it ideal for family gatherings.
"It was initially a bolthole for hubby to escape and watch the football in peace, and to display his vast collection of Wolves memorabilia," Tina said. The fridge is always stocked with a vast selection of spirits and two Blade beer machines. "Purposely there is no clock or traditional bell available as the bar is always open to family and friends alike."
Growing Popularity of Back Garden Pubs
The annual competition has seen a surge in interest, with more than two million back garden pubs now in operation across Britain, a trend that exploded during the coronavirus pandemic. Ashley Turner from Two Fat Blokes Bar Sign Emporium said, "This is our sixth year running the competition, the quality of the entries makes judging harder every year."
Voting is open at pubshedoftheyear.co.uk, and the winner will be announced next month.
