The RHS Garden Retreat – a new wellbeing shed

The Posh Shed Company has extended their partnership with the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) to launch a shed that has been designed to enhance and support the changing lifestyles of gardeners and non-gardeners alike. The rural Herefordshire based company are best known for their stylish, sometimes quirky, garden sheds endorsed by the RHS and their latest design, The RHS Garden Retreat, provides an inspirational space to work, enjoy a creative hobby, socialise, or simply relax away from the house.

Cathy Snow, Licensing Manager, RHS, says: “More than ever, the mental and physical health benefits of gardens and gardening are being recognised and appreciated, and the way that people use their gardens is changing as a result. We are delighted to have worked with The Posh Shed Company to develop The RHS Garden Retreat, which can provide a stylish, comfortable sanctuary in your garden to pursue hobbies or work from home while connecting with nature.”

Following the first lockdown in 2020, a survey commissioned by the RHS revealed that 7 out of 10 people considered that having a garden boosted their mental health^*. With many people continuing to work from home part-time and keeping up leisure pursuits established during lockdown, The RHS Garden Retreat has been designed to help balance this new way of life with the benefits of spending time in the garden.

Built to The Posh Shed Company’s high standards, The RHS Garden Retreat is fully insulated and double-glazed, under a vaulted living or ‘green’ roof, with a cedar shingled surround. Green roofs boost the thermal performance of the structure while supporting wildlife habitats, thus mitigating the previously uncultivated space the shed may have occupied. Three planting schemes, devised by The RHS, are available catering for woodland shade, dry sunny or coastal settings. 

“We are delighted to be involved with this project”, says Richard Frost, Chairman and Co-Founder of The Posh Shed Company, “The ‘garden shed’ has long been a poor relation of garden buildings, being something that might be hidden down the garden as a purely functional space, but it can and should be so much more. A practical space yes, but not just for storage of a lawn mower and garden tools. Add to that list a space to enjoy the garden, a place to relax or work, a destination within your own outside world to sit and watch nature at work – somewhere that is great for your wellbeing. It is from this base we have created The RHS Garden Retreat”.

Measuring 4m x 2.5m (approx 13ft x 8ft 2in), light floods in from three sides, including three full length feature windows, while the galleried porch offers shade and shelter and an integral seat to enjoy the garden from.

The RHS Garden Retreat is on permanent display within Battleston Hill at RHS Garden Wisley in Surrey, a beautiful woodland garden famous for its vibrant explosion of spring colour.

For further information about The Posh Shed Company, The RHS Garden Retreat and its RHS endorsed products, please visit www.theposhshedcompany.co.uk.

® The Royal Horticultural Society. The Royal Horticultural Society, and its logo, are trade marks of The Royal Horticultural Society (Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262) and used under licence from RHS Enterprises Limited.