New Models

Chelsea Summerhouses has an enviable reputation for manufacturing quality timber summerhouses and gazebos and is one of the country's leading suppliers.Our portfolio of summerhouses and garden buildings is now one of the most comprehensive available, encompassing many shapes, sizes and options to suit all gardens and possible uses.

We have recently just introduced The Abingdon Summerhouse.

The Abingdon Summerhouse was designed to provide a large outdoor room for entertaining or as an office, or a dining setting, the possibilities are endless. Available in 2 different sizes it is the perfect garden addition for use in every season.

With glazing to five sides, the building is light and airy, offering a perfect place for relaxing and enjoying the natural elements all year round, what ever the weather.

Happy Clients 2014

At Chelsea Summerhouses we pride ourselves on having 100% happy clients. From initial enquiry to completion of installation of your summerhouse, we offer an exceptional customer service as we believe you should never have to compromise on quality; either product or service.

Our summerhouses can be installed all year round for a variety of purposes including a tranquil home office, inspirational studio or merely a garden retreat.

Below are examples of recent installations of our summerhouses:

This Sunbury 8 Sided Summerhouse was installed in Stockport on 2nd October 2014

This Wraysbury 8 Sided Summerhouse was installed in Thirsk on 30th September 2014

This Windsor Summerhouse was installed in London on 25th September

This 6 Sided Sunbury Gazebo was installed in Hamshire on 24th September

 This Windsor Summerhouse was installed in Pewsey on 17th September 2014

This Windsor Summerhouse was installed in Pewsey on 15th September 2014

 This Sunbury 6 Sided Gazebo was installed in Surrey on 9th September 2014.

 This Wraysbury 8 Summerhouse was installed in Ireland on 2nd September 2014.

 This Windsor Summerhouse was installed in Irelands on 4th September 2014.

 This Henley Summerhouse was installed in Mountain Ash on 23rd August 2014.

 This Wraysbury 8 Summerhouse was installed in Norfolk on 28th August 2014.

This Windsor Summerhouse was installed in Rutland on 18th August 2014.

History of Summerhouses

History of Summerhouses

Summerhouse are as old as the art of gardening itself, Common in Egyptian gardens over five thousand years ago to ancient Rome they all had their summerhouses. In 62 AD Pliny the Younger describes two of his residences he owned in a letter to a friend, one of them called Tusci in the foothills of the Apennines contained a garden house shaded by plane trees and a villa in Como were he had a gazebo built to gaze onto his neighbours grounds to watch their incomings and outgoings.

With the decline of the Roma Empire during the dark ages and the early part of the middle ages, the interest in garden buildings declined in Europe. But in the East at the same time the garden building was flourishing. It is said in the Koran that the Day of Judgment will take place “in gardens of pleasure” and the Moslems built beautiful gardens and summerhouses for this.

 
In Persia the gardens were layout in four sections with water channels used to divide the sections. Where the channels crossed there would be a pool or a small hill with a summerhouse on it. Built from marble and precious metals the garden shelters varied widely. Some were just covered tents with rugs to sit on, to two storied buildings. Others built across pools of water so the water flowing underneath would keep the marble floor cool in the heat of the day.

As the western world began to emerge from the Middle Ages into the renaissance period ornate garden shelters returned in popularity and no proper garden was without a summerhouse of some kind.

 
In the late 1700’s Chinese design summerhouses swept England and Europe were all the rage in Anglo Chinese gardens, by the time Queen Victoria came to the throne the influence was more to the Gothic design in summerhouses and ardors, equally popular was the rustic garden house fashioned from roots and branches.
 

These small structures go by many names such as gazebos, screen houses, pavilions, arbors, pergolas, teahouses, grottos to name but a few. Whatever we call them today they are commonly used as a place to entertain, to relax, a retreat for the summer heat something we have doing for many years and for many more to come. Whether it be a small covered garden seat for a spot of quiet reading or a large gazebo or summerhouse for entertaining and family gatherings, the summerhouse has come into its own more recently as a home office away from the house.

A Room For All Seasons

 The term "Summerhouse" can often be misleading. Summerhouse infers a building that is for use in the garden during the summer months. However, with Chelsea Summerhouses being offered with lining and insulation and having electricity and heating installed, there is absolutely no limit to the seasonal enjoyment of the Summerhouse.

There is a growing trend towards using Summerhouses in all weathers and this makes perfect sense. On a practical level, Summerhouses are a very cheap way of extending living space. But it is so much more than that, Summerhouses are a touch of luxury, more importantly an affordable touch of luxury. A space that can be used solely for purpose, for relaxing, for dining, or socialising. Because it is a room in the garden, it tends not to attract the clutter and chaos of rooms in the house, so it can be a real escape from the pressures (and people!) that are in the house.

Picture the rain lashing down or the greyness of a very cold, damp afternoon. Take your book or hobby into your Summerhouse, turn on the heating and/or cuddle up in a blanket on your favourite chair and spend some time relaxing, reading, thinking.... this kind of time is precious in the fast paced world we live in.
Equally a dinner party or dining out with the kids whilst all around you is dark, provides intimacy and fun and keeps all the mess and rumpus out of the house, (alternatively no one need see the mess and rumpus in the house!).

In the words of the poet, Mr Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, "The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." Sit back and enjoy the moment and ensconced in your Chelsea Summerhouse encapsulates that quote very well.

The Original Summerhouse

Chelsea Summerhouses Limited was established in May 2011 following the administration of Amdega Limited. The two Directors of Chelsea Summerhouses had over 36 combined years working for Amdega and recognised that Amdega’s best product was the ‘Chelsea’ range of garden buildings. Models of these buildings can still be viewed at certain RHS gardens throughout the country.

In 1989 Amdega purchased a company called L F Knight of Reigate, a company that had been manufacturing garden buildings and exhibiting at Chelsea Flower Show since the early 1900’s. These designs have stood the test of time and are now manufactured by Chelsea Summerhouses using the original drawings and manufacturing jigs. Fully constructed from Western Red Cedar these buildings are built to last. Many of the companies in existence today have imitated the designs of the ‘original’ summerhouse.

Transform Your Garden With A Chelsea Summerhouse

If you’re keen on your garden, you’ll be used to planning ahead. If you also love relaxing in your garden, don’t neglect this important aspect – plan for it too!

Luxury Chelsea Summerhouses are the perfect way to maximize your garden enjoyment. From traditional-style to vibrant, contemporary garden rooms, a summerhouse extends the season of sitting outdoors, relaxing and entertaining in your garden.

Before you choose your perfect summerhouse, consider its setting and how you’ll be using it. It’s your garden and anything goes, but think about harmonizing with your home and garden. Will you be mainly relaxing, dining, or partying in this summerhouse? Choose location, size, shape and design details accordingly.

The are many sizes and shapes of Summerhouses to choose from, from the smallest to the largest, corner models, octagonal and even some with rotating bases to face the sun. All constructed from Western Red Cedar known for its durability complete with elegant Cedar Shingle Roofs.

Your paint or stain colours will ensure your summerhouse creates the perfect impression in your garden, from stand-out design statement, light & fresh tones to quiet camouflage. Painting your garden furniture in toning shades and matching surrounding planting will create a look fit for a garden magazine.

A Chelsea summerhouse with double glazing and insulation means that you can be enjoying life outdoors throughout the seasons so what are you waiting for?  Get planning your garden retreat now!

Western Red Cedar

Western Red Cedar...characteristics of the timber we use for our long lasting summerhouses.

It's strong - Western Red Cedar has excellent dimensional stability and endurance. It lays flat, stays straight and is less likely to twist and crack than other wood products such as treated timber.

It's long lasting - The supremacy of Western Red Cedar as an all-weather building material is entirely natural. Along with it's beauty, stability and endurance, Western Red Cedar contains natural oils that act as preservatives to help the wood resist insect attack and decay. 

It's non-toxic - Western Red Cedar is non-toxic and safe for all uses, and requires no chemical treatment.

It smells good - Western Red Cedar is probably well known for its distinctive aroma. Over time the wood remains subtly aromatic and the characteristic fragrance adds another dimension to its universal appeal. 

 

It's beautiful - Western Red Cedar's rich grain and vibrant colour make it the preferred material for all applications where beauty is important.