Garden workshops are purpose-built garden buildings designed for DIY, woodworking, hobbies, machinery and tool storage. Our timber garden workshops are available in standard and bespoke sizes, with heavy-duty and insulated options. Free professional installation is included with our wooden workshop ranges in applicable delivery areas.
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Click on images below to see larger versions of combination garden workshops with shed or extra rooms
Click on image below to see larger versions of insulated workshops (Opens new page)
Options To choose from a large range of colours and make your new
garden workshop special.
Diamond Barnham vs Platinum Southampton & Fareham Garden Workshops
The Diamond Barnham and Platinum Southampton and Fareham are substantial timber garden workshops designed for DIY, woodworking, hobbies, tools and equipment. The Diamond Barnham offers excellent value, a particularly wide choice of sizes and flexible workshop space, while Southampton and Fareham provide a higher specification with pressure-treated construction and full insulation options.
| Feature | Diamond Barnham | Platinum Southampton & Fareham |
| Best for | DIY, woodworking, hobbies, machinery and substantial storage | Regular workshop use, hobbies and customers wanting a higher specification |
| Price position | £ – Lower | ££ – Higher specification |
| Available sizes | Approx. 6×4 to 28×12 ft | Approx. 8×6 to 20×16 ft |
| Construction | Heavy-duty timber workshop construction | Higher-specification pressure-treated timber construction |
| Insulation | Best suited to general workshop use unless upgraded | Full insulation option available |
| Doors | Double doors available on buildings 8 ft and wider | Wide double-door workshop access |
| Installation | Professional fitting included on applicable orders | Professional assembly included on applicable orders |
| Why choose it? | Maximum workshop space, flexibility and value for money | Higher specification and better potential for regular or insulated use |
Why Choose a Diamond Barnham Workshop?
The Diamond Barnham is a strong choice if you want a proper heavy-duty garden workshop without paying for specifications you may not need. Its particularly broad range of sizes makes it suitable for everything from a compact DIY workspace to a large workshop containing benches, machinery, tools and garden equipment.
Reasons to Choose the Diamond Barnham
- You want excellent value for a substantial timber workshop.
- You need plenty of working or storage space.
- You want a particularly wide choice of sizes.
- You need space for workbenches, tools or machinery.
- You want flexible door and window positions.
- You mainly use the workshop for DIY, woodworking, repairs, hobbies or storage.
Why Might the Barnham Be Right for You?
The Barnham could be right for you if space, practicality and value are your main priorities. If you mainly use your workshop at weekends or for DIY, woodworking and storage, it can provide the working space you need without paying for a higher specification intended for more intensive use.
Why Choose a Platinum Southampton or Fareham Workshop?
The Platinum Southampton and Fareham ranges are better suited to customers who want a higher-specification workshop from the outset. They combine pressure-treated timber construction with generous double-door access, colour options and the option to add full insulation.
Reasons to Choose Southampton or Fareham
- You specifically want pressure-treated timber construction.
- You expect to use your workshop regularly.
- You want a higher overall building specification.
- You want generous double-door access for tools and equipment.
- You may want the building fully insulated.
- You intend to use the workshop for longer periods throughout the year.
Why Might Southampton or Fareham Be Right for You?
Southampton or Fareham could be right for you if your workshop will be a regular working or hobby space rather than mainly a storage building. The pressure-treated construction and full insulation option make these ranges particularly attractive when you expect to spend longer periods working inside.
Which Garden Workshop Should I Choose?
| Your Priority | Recommended Starting Point |
| Best value | Diamond Barnham |
| DIY and weekend workshop | Diamond Barnham |
| Very large choice of sizes | Diamond Barnham |
| Tools, machinery and substantial storage | Diamond Barnham |
| Pressure-treated construction | Southampton / Fareham |
| Regular hobby or workshop use | Southampton / Fareham |
| Full insulation option | Southampton / Fareham |
| More comfortable extended-season use | Southampton / Fareham |
Barnham or Southampton & Fareham: The Simple Choice
Choose the Diamond Barnham if you want a tough, practical garden workshop with a wide choice of sizes and your priority is getting plenty of usable workspace for your budget.
Choose Platinum Southampton or Fareham if you want a higher-specification pressure-treated workshop, expect to use it more regularly or want the option of full insulation.
Neither range is automatically better. The right workshop depends on how often you will use it, what you intend to put inside and whether the additional Platinum specification will provide a genuine benefit for you.
See all our garden workshops to compare the available sizes, specifications and options.
Why Trust 1st Choice Leisure Buildings?
Choosing a garden building is an investment, so it's important to buy from a company you can rely on. At 1st Choice Leisure Buildings, we've been helping customers find the right garden sheds, summerhouses, log cabins, garden offices and workshops
since 1979 when
Robin Antill opened the doors. As a
family-run business, we believe in offering honest advice rather than a hard sell. We take the time to understand what you need and help you choose a building that suits your garden, your budget and the way you plan to use it.
Our approach is reflected in our
4.9 Trustpilot rating, where customers regularly mention our friendly, helpful service. We only work with manufacturers we trust, selecting buildings that offer good quality, durability and value for money. Most are made from
FSC®-certified timber and built to cope with the British weather. If you'd rather see a building before you buy, you're welcome to visit one of the
UK's largest garden building display sites. 1st Choice – Known For Quality – Loved For Design - Since 1979
Being able to compare different models and talk things through with our experienced team helps many customers make the right decision. Since 1979, we've supplied over 50,000 buildings across the UK, building our reputation on quality products, straightforward advice and customer service you can depend on. We are always available to meet your needs or requirements so
contact us NOW if you would like help or advice.
We live quite far away; is it really worth visiting our show rooms? Absolutely!
We strongly urge anyone looking for a new building – whether it's a new garden shed, summerhouse, workshop, garage, or a full garden room – to
visit and inspect the quality in person before committing to any purchase.
Seeing the craftsmanship, materials and finishes for yourself is the best way to make a confident and informed decision.
Whilst we cannot display everything we offer, we have carefully selected around 80 different buildings that allow us to demonstrate almost every feature, design option, and construction detail in one form or another.
This allows you to compare styles, sizes and specifications, ask any questions you may have, and find the building that best suits your needs.
So, yes, it is absolutely worth visiting.
Click here to see what buildings on display. If you are unsure then
why not walk through our site virtually using our walk through tour below (or
click here to open in a new full screen window). After supplying garden buildings since 1979, there are a few problems we see time and again. The three workshop mistakes our team encounters most often during site surveys are insufficient base preparation, restricted access and customers underestimating the space they need around benches and equipment. Getting these three things right before ordering can save a lot of trouble when your garden workshop is delivered and assembled.
Quality Garden Workshops Built for Work, Hobbies and Storage
Create a practical, purpose-built workspace in your garden with a quality timber garden workshop. Whether you need room for woodworking, DIY, machinery, tools, bike maintenance, crafts or a serious hobby, a proper workshop gives you the space to work without taking over the garage or spare room.
We’ve been supplying garden buildings since 1979 and offer workshops from compact buildings through to large, heavy-duty workshops. Depending on the model, you can choose different sizes, cladding, door and window positions, insulation, painted finishes and bespoke layouts. Free professional assembly is included with our wooden workshops within applicable delivery areas.
Garden Workshops at a Glance
Uses: Woodworking, DIY, repairs, crafts, gardening, bike maintenance, model making, equipment and tool storage.
Sizes: From compact workshops to large buildings up to 28×16 ft across selected ranges.
Timber: Quality redwood and pressure-treated timber options depending on range.
Cladding: Tongue-and-groove timber options with different profiles and thicknesses.
Glazing: Toughened glass on our main workshop ranges.
Doors: Single and double-door configurations depending on model and size.
Roof styles: Apex, pent and reverse-apex options across selected ranges.
Insulation: Insulated workshop options for more comfortable year-round use.
Customisation: Bespoke sizes, layouts, doors and window positions available on selected workshops.
Installation: Free professional assembly within applicable delivery areas.
Base: Base-building options are available if you don’t already have a suitable firm and level base.
Specifications vary between individual models, so always check the product page for the exact timber, framing, floor, roof, glazing and treatment specification before ordering.
What Should You Look for in a Garden Workshop?
A workshop needs to do more than keep the rain out. If you’re fitting benches, shelving, and machinery, or regularly working inside, pay attention to the timber, framing, cladding, floor, glazing, and door construction. These are the parts of the building that determine how substantial it feels and how well it stands up to regular use.
We favour quality redwood timber for many of our workshop ranges rather than cheaper whitewood. Tongue-and-groove cladding provides a strong, interlocking outer wall, while a substantial timber frame gives the building the rigidity needed for a working environment. A proper wooden floor is equally important if you’re going to be standing machinery, benches or heavy equipment inside.
What Size Garden Workshop Do I Need?
Don’t choose a workshop by looking at the empty floor area alone. A workbench, shelving, cupboards, timber racks and machinery quickly reduce the space available actually to work. You also need enough room to move materials around safely and open doors and cupboards without constantly shifting equipment.
| Workshop Size | Good Starting Point For |
| 8×6 ft | Compact hobby workshop, basic DIY, tools and a small bench |
| 10×8 ft | Workbench, shelving and general DIY or hobby use |
| 12×8 / 12×10 ft | Larger workbench, equipment, tool storage and more working room |
| 16×8 ft+ | Machinery, larger projects and separate work and storage areas |
| 20×10 ft+ | Large workshops, substantial equipment or multi-purpose layouts |
These are only starting points. The right size depends on what you’re putting inside and the type of work you’ll be doing. If space and budget allow, going slightly larger than your minimum requirement usually gives you a much more useful workshop once benches and storage are installed. You can also compare popular sizes such as our 12×8 workshops, 16×8 workshops and 20×8 workshops.
Standard or Heavy-Duty Garden Workshop?
For general gardening, light DIY and storage, a standard timber workshop may be all you need. If you’re planning regular woodworking, using machinery, storing heavier equipment or want a more substantial building, look closely at the framing, cladding and floor specification and consider one of our heavy-duty garden workshops.
Don’t rely on the words “heavy duty” alone when comparing buildings. Check the actual specification. Timber species, cladding thickness, framing dimensions, floor construction, roof and joinery tell you much more about the workshop you’re buying than the name attached to it.
Do I Need an Insulated Garden Workshop?
If your workshop is mainly for storing tools or occasional summer DIY, insulation may not be necessary. If you’re going to spend several hours working inside during colder months, an insulated garden workshop is well worth considering. Insulation helps reduce heat transfer and makes it easier to maintain a more comfortable working temperature.
Remember that insulation doesn’t generate heat. A workshop used regularly through winter will normally still need a suitable heat source, while ventilation remains important for controlling condensation and keeping the building comfortable. If you’re sanding, painting or using timber treatments, good ventilation becomes particularly important.
Doors, Windows and Workshop Layout
A good workshop layout starts with what you’ll be doing inside. Position windows where they provide useful natural light over benches rather than simply where they look best from the garden. Think about where shelving and machinery will go before deciding on window positions; otherwise, you can easily lose valuable wall space.
Door width matters too. Double doors make moving lawn machinery, bicycles, timber, furniture and larger projects considerably easier. Selected workshop ranges can also be made with different door and window positions or bespoke layouts, allowing the building to work around your equipment rather than forcing your equipment around a standard design.
What Base Does a Garden Workshop Need?
Every timber workshop needs a firm, flat and level base. This isn’t an area where we’d recommend cutting corners. A poor base can cause the building to settle unevenly, affecting the structure and making doors and windows difficult to open and close. It can also contribute to water and damp problems around the bottom of the building.
The best base depends on the workshop, ground conditions and intended use. Concrete, paving and properly constructed timber subframes can all be suitable in the right circumstances. Our garden workshop base guide explains the main options, and we can also arrange a base-building service if required.
Do Garden Workshops Need Planning Permission?
Many garden workshops can be installed under permitted development rights without making a planning application. Still, limits apply to position, height, and how much of the garden is occupied by outbuildings. Buildings close to a boundary are particularly important because different height restrictions can apply.
There can also be additional restrictions for listed buildings and properties on designated land, while using a workshop for business purposes may change the position if it materially affects the use of the property. Read our garden workshop planning permission guide and check with your local planning authority if you’re unsure.
Electricity, Lighting and Ventilation
If you’re planning sockets, machinery, heating or substantial lighting, think about the electrical installation before the workshop arrives. Decide where your main bench and equipment will sit so you can position sockets and lighting sensibly. A suitably qualified electrician should carry out electrical work.
Natural light is useful, but artificial task lighting makes a considerable difference when doing detailed work. Ventilation is equally important, particularly when you’re sanding, painting, using adhesives or storing equipment that can be affected by condensation.
7 Garden Workshop Mistakes We’ve Seen Buyers Make
After supplying garden buildings since 1979, there are a few workshop-buying mistakes we see time and again. Most are straightforward to avoid if you think about how you’ll actually use the building before ordering.
1. Buying Too Small
An empty 10×8 workshop can look enormous until you add a bench, shelving, cupboards and machinery. Draw your proposed layout to scale before ordering and allow enough clear floor space actually to work.
2. Looking at Price Instead of Construction
Two workshops of the same size can have very different specifications. Compare timber, cladding, framing, floor, roof, glazing and joinery rather than assuming the cheapest 12×8 building represents the best value.
3. Not Planning the Door and Window Positions
A window in the wrong place can take away valuable shelving space, while a narrow doorway can make moving equipment unnecessarily difficult. Plan your internal layout first and the doors and windows second.
4. Underestimating the Base
Even an excellent workshop won’t perform properly on a poor foundation. Make sure the base is suitable, firm and level before installation rather than trying to correct problems after the building has been assembled.
5. Forgetting About Access
Your new workshop has to reach the garden before it can be assembled. Measure side passages, gates, alleyways and tight corners and tell us about restricted access before delivery.
6. Planning Electrics After the Workshop Arrives
Knowing where machinery, benches, lighting and sockets will go beforehand makes the finished workshop much easier to use and helps avoid extension leads running across your working area.
7. Forgetting Future Needs
Tools and hobbies have a habit of expanding. If you’re already close to filling the workshop on your floor plan, consider going up a size or choosing a bespoke layout while you can.
Free Professional Workshop Installation
A timber workshop can be a substantial building, particularly once you move into the larger sizes. Our wooden workshops include free professional assembly within applicable delivery areas, so experienced installers put together the panels, roof, doors, and windows rather than leaving you with a large DIY project.
What we need from you is a suitable level base and adequate access to the site. If you’re unsure about either, speak to us before ordering. Sorting out access or foundation questions beforehand is much easier than discovering a problem on installation day.
How Long Does a Timber Garden Workshop Last?
A well-built timber workshop that’s correctly installed and maintained can give decades of useful service. The biggest factors are timber and construction quality, the base, exposure to the weather and how well the building is looked after. Keep exterior treatment in good condition, maintain the roof and make sure water isn’t allowed to collect around the base.
We also recommend keeping plants and shrubs away from the walls so air can circulate the timber. Check doors, windows, roof coverings and exterior finishes periodically and deal with small maintenance jobs before they become larger repairs.
See Our Garden Workshops Before You Buy
We always recommend seeing a workshop in person if you can. Photographs don’t tell you how substantial the floor feels, how much room a 12×8 workshop really provides or the difference between timber and construction specifications.
At our Surrey garden building display site, you can inspect full-size garden buildings, compare construction and talk through sizes, layouts, bases and options with us before deciding what to buy.
Garden Workshop FAQs
What Is a Garden Workshop?
A garden workshop is a timber outbuilding designed to provide dedicated working and storage space away from the house. Compared with a basic storage shed, a good workshop usually places greater emphasis on usable floor space, strong construction, natural light, and access. Workshops are commonly used for woodworking, DIY, repairs, crafts, bike maintenance, gardening equipment and other practical hobbies.
What Is the Best Size for a Garden Workshop?
There isn’t one best size, but we’d normally regard 10×8 ft as a useful starting point for a proper workbench and storage. A 12×8 or 12×10 gives you considerably more working room, while 16×8 ft and larger workshops suit machinery and substantial projects. Measure your equipment and benches first, then allow clear space around them to work safely.
What’s the Difference Between a Shed and a Workshop?
A shed is often bought primarily for storage, while a workshop is intended to be worked in. That means floor strength, framing, natural light, door access, internal layout and usable working space become more important. There is no official dividing line, so compare the actual construction rather than the name. A substantial timber workshop should be specified around how you intend to use it.
Can I Use a Garden Workshop All Year?
Yes, but choose the specification accordingly. An uninsulated timber workshop is perfectly suitable for many hobbies and storage, but regular winter use is more comfortable with insulation and suitable heating. Our insulated workshops are the better starting point if you expect to spend long periods working inside throughout the year.
Can a Garden Workshop Have Electricity?
Yes. Electricity can be installed for sockets, lighting, machinery and heating, but it should be designed and fitted by a suitably qualified electrician. If possible, plan your electrical requirements before installation. Knowing where benches and machinery will sit makes it easier to position sockets and lighting sensibly and reduces the need for trailing extension leads once you start using the workshop.
Can You Make a Bespoke Garden Workshop?
Yes. Bespoke options are available across selected workshop ranges. Depending on the building, we can alter dimensions and door or window positions and provide different cladding, finishes, insulation and internal arrangements. This is particularly useful if you have an awkward garden, specific machinery or want separate workshop and storage areas. Speak to us about what you need rather than assuming you’re restricted to a standard size.
Do I Need Planning Permission for a Garden Workshop?
Many domestic garden workshops fall within permitted development rights, so planning permission isn’t always required. However, restrictions apply to the workshop’s height, position and the amount of land occupied by outbuildings, with additional considerations for listed properties and designated land. How you use the workshop can also matter. See our planning permission guide and check locally if you’re uncertain.
What Is the Best Base for a Garden Workshop?
The best base is one that’s strong enough for the building and its intended contents while remaining completely firm and level. Concrete is a common choice for larger workshops and heavy equipment, but paving or a properly constructed timber subframe may also be suitable depending on the building and site. Our workshop base guide explains the options in more detail.
Are Timber Workshops Suitable for Heavy Tools and Machinery?
They can be, but check the floor and overall construction before ordering. Machinery can place much greater loads on a floor than normal storage, so tell us what you’re planning to put inside. For demanding use, one of our heavy-duty workshops may be a better starting point than choosing a building designed mainly for lighter storage.
Can I See a Garden Workshop Before Buying?
Yes, and we’d encourage it. Visiting our Surrey display site lets you walk inside full-size garden buildings and compare construction, timber, sizes and layouts for yourself. It’s particularly useful if you’re deciding between two workshop sizes because the difference in usable space is much easier to judge in person than from dimensions on a website.
More Information In Our Help Articles and Blogs
Choosing the right garden workshop is easier when you know what to look for. Drawing on our experience supplying garden buildings since 1979, we’ve put together practical guides covering everything from workshop ideas and insulation to bases, planning permission, condensation and guttering. These articles should help you plan your workshop properly and avoid some of the common problems we see.
Best Garden Workshop Ideas: A Complete Guide
Not sure how to make the best use of your workshop? Our guide covers practical garden workshop ideas, layouts, and things to consider when planning your new working space.
Eco-Friendly Heating Solutions for Sustainable Garden Workshops
A look at the different ways to keep a garden workshop comfortable in colder weather while considering energy use, running costs and more sustainable heating options.
Check Rules for Planning Permission
Before ordering a workshop, it’s worth checking whether planning permission is likely to be required. This guide explains the main rules and points you need to consider.
How To Build Workshop Base Foundation
A good workshop needs a good base. Learn about suitable foundations, why getting the base level matters, and the different base options to consider before your building arrives.
Understanding Condensation Issues
Condensation can cause problems in any garden building if moisture and ventilation aren’t properly managed. Our guide explains why it happens and what you can do to help prevent it.
Insulated Workshop Guide
If you intend to spend long periods in your workshop throughout the year, insulation is worth considering. This guide looks at insulated workshops and the benefits of choosing a building designed for more regular use.
Understanding Door Height Issues
Door size is easily overlooked when buying a workshop. Check the height and width you’ll need, particularly if you’ll regularly be moving machinery, tools, benches or other large items in and out.
The Importance Of Gutters
Guttering helps control rainwater running from the workshop roof and can help protect the building and surrounding area. Our guide explains why it’s useful and what to consider when fitting it.
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