May Cottage is located close to the centre of Bowness-on-Windermere making it the perfect base to explore all the Southern Lakes. Just one road from the edge of Lake Windermere, an easy stroll to the boat rides, quaint shops and a variety of Bistros, Restaurants and Wine & Tapas Bars. The climatic end to the famous Dalesway Walk – Wonderful, never ending, breathtaking scenic walks and drives. Leisure facilities offer relaxing sauna, steam, jacuzzi, swim & gym areas, with snooker, café & bar with Sky T.V. lounge section.

Here is just a small sample of the excellent reviews May Cottage B&B in Bowness-on-Windermere have received on TripAdvisor:

“Great B&B accomodation close to the centre of Bowness”
5 of 5 stars
Date of review: 4 Apr 2011

Most pleasant welcome received from Sue – the accomodation was ideal for our three night stay – with a very comfortable bed room and fine ensuite. The excellent full English breakfast ,accompanied by Sue’s little talk on the locality and its history, set us up for the day’s walking . The B&B is just a few minutes walk to the centre of Bowness and the pubs and restaurants.
For Rugby League fans, a must is a chat with Len Casey , Sue’s husband and breakfast chef, who can relate anecdotes about his playing career for Great Britain ( some as captain) and England and both Hull clubs.

“A gem of a B&B”

Date of review: 1 Apr 2011
Our first trip to the lakes and first visit to a B&B. We recently married and decided to stay away for a couple of nights.

Sue and Len are great value, warm and welcoming. Place is a gem, you ll be lucky to get availability as the repeat business is a sign of how popular this place is.

Would love to stay again!
“SIMPLY THE BEST”
5 of 5 stars
1 more review of May Cottage by Sallyberisford:

Date of review: 23 Mar 2011

We returned to May Cottage, & yet again received a warm, friendly welcome. Sue goes out of her way to make you feel at ease & welcome. She has stories to tell you & her knowledge of the area is outstanding. She has a brillant sense of humour, ALL the rooms are lovely & clean.
If you stay here it is only a very short walk into Bowness & all the shops, pubs etc.
I mustn’t forget Len, who doe’s a wonderful breakfast each morning, Len to is a chirpy chappy.
Throughly recommed you to stay here.
We felt like part of Sue & Lens extended family. Will definately return.
THANKS BOTH

Re-Think is a specialist provider of swift water rescue training.  They offer Rescue 3 international training courses, Swiftwater Technician and First Responder programmes and also bespoke swiftwater rescue courses highly tailored around your needs.

They deliver the very best water rescue programmes in the UK utilising highly experienced instructors, first class equipment, top training venues and on-going support and advice for their clients.

Re-Think Work nationally at any suitable location.

They are proud to be part of the Rescue 3 family offering certificated training meeting national standards. Please visit www.water-rescue.co.uk for information regarding programmes or advice relating to swift water rescue.

The Glenburn Hotel is an elegantly appointed Edwardian property set in the Heart of Windermere offering delightful accommodation on a Bed & Breakfast or Half Board basis.

Returning year after year, visitors have enjoyed excellent service delicious food and comfort of the charming bedrooms. Whatever your reason for visiting the Lake District whether it be for it’s natural beauty, stunning walks or just a well earned break Peter and Jackie Baister along with their friendly team will endeavour to make your stay as relaxed and as comfortable as possible.

The hotel’s great location is ideal for exploring the English Lake District. A ten minute stroll will take you to the vibrant area of Bowness and the Lake where boats will ferry you to many intriguing destinations. Relax and enjoy ten miles of magic during the many sight seeing cruises taking in the breathtaking scenery, secluded bays and the wooded islands that surround England’s largest natural lake. For the more energetic there are lots of walks to enjoy at your leisure including a gentle hike up to Orrest Head just a short walk from the hotel. Here you will find viewing point 750 feet high where you can sit and enjoy magnificent views of the central fells, the Yorkshire Pennines and the Lakes or just to watch the sunset over this picturesque corner of England. Enjoy an early evening stroll along the lakeside before returning to the hotel for a candlelit dinner in our lovely restaurant with food cooked to perfection by our resident chef Marcin. After dinner you can relax in the lounge on our comfy sofas enjoying a coffee or your favourite tipple from the bar.

The Glenburn hotel in Windermere has ample on site parking so you can just park up and all amenities are within a short walking distance.

If you are celebrating an anniversary or birthday why not surprise your loved one by ordering champagne, chocolates, flowers or a birthday cake to be put in your room on arrival.

At The Glenburn we will go that extra mile to make your stay in the Lake District just Perfect!

* Elegant, relaxed & stylish totally refurbished accommodation
* Excellent food, freshly prepared to order. Full Cumbrian cooked breakfasts plus buffet, and candlelit evening meals
* Special dietary needs and vegetarians catered for
* 16 Double, twin, triple, quad, superior, deluxe and deluxe four-poster rooms
* Deluxe rooms and four-poster rooms have brand new spa baths, rain showers and flat screen TVs
* Satellite TV and free wireless Internet connection
* Complimentary tea and coffee, hair dryers in all rooms
* Fully licensed bar and guest lounge
* A totally smoke and pet free environment
* FREE use of Parklands Country Club and Spa in Bowness for all guests
* Free parking throughout your stay
* Five minutes walk from Windermere and ten minutes to Bowness
* Special touches such as champagne, chocolates, flowers, birthday cakes etc
* Family rooms for three/four/people
* Gift certificates a speciality
* Two deluxe self catering holiday cottages sleeping up to six
* Private family parties and functions catered for, we’ll take care of everything

Formed in 1991, Electrical Testers are one of the leading companies in the UK. Offering full National Coverage they also regularly cover Northern Ireland, Eire and Central Europe. Their electrical testing services include PAT testing, fire alarm testing, emergency lighting testing and fixed wire testing.

Directly employing only fully qualified electricians, they offer a level of technical capability and service which is unparalleled in the Industry.

With continued growth over the last decade, the company is rated as an exceptional performer by industry analysts.

Electrical Testers have the culture, people and systems to provide the ultimate service.

UK Health & Safety legislation is extensive and requires that whatever your activity, you must provide a safe environment for your staff and your customers.

The services provided by Electrical Testers Ltd are designed to comply with a variety of legislation, regulations and British Standards.

Although not exhaustive, most of the relevant regulations and standards are listed below:

Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 PAT Testing

BS5839:Pt1:2002 - Fire Alarm Inspection & Testing

BS5266:Pt1:1999 - Emergency Lighting Inspection & Testing

BS7671:2008 - Periodic Inspection of Fixed Installations

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 - Fire Risk Assessments

Specialising in the measurement of length, angle and form. Our UKAS accredited dimensional calibration laboratory caters not only for typical standard mechanical gauge and tool calibration, such as micrometer calibration, thread gauge calibration, or calibration of gauge blocks; but also complex purpose built jigs and fixtures and bespoke gauges.

Over the years we’ve made a massive investment in state of the art high end metrology standards and machines. Why not therefore take advantage of our dimensional metrology services for any difficult to measure mechanical components, or components with very tight tolerances, or simply for extra confidence perhaps for first article inspection.

A site calibration service is also available for difficult to remove items such as surface tables or other heavy equipment or machinery.

Summary of our tool and gauge calibration services, and our dimensional metrology services…

* Calibration of dimensional measuring instruments, tools and gauges
* Calibration of jigs and fixtures
* First article inspection
* Inspection of difficult to measure parts
* Site calibration for large or heavy items

Mail forwarding is becoming more and more common both for business and domestic uses.

Even though mail and parcel forwarding has been available in the United Kingdom for some years, most notably offered by Royal Mail, for business and domestic use in the form of “Mail Redirection”. With more and more businesses either moving premises or having operations in other countries, mail forwarding using a UK mailing address is now offered by other companies and to suit more specific requirements.

Mail forwarding is used for many different purposes but it is the onset of internet that has created the need for more mail forwarding options. Internet based businesses for example who wish to have a valid postal address but who do not have business premises and that do not wish to have a PO Box address. Purchasing goods online from abroad is another reason why both business and domestic consumers would require a mail forwarding address. A parcel forwarding company will set up an address, in the United States for example, where goods purchased will get sent to you and then they will organise the shipping of the goods back to the United Kingdom.

By ordering goods in such a way, shipping costs can be greatly cut down.

The latest in mail forwarding in the UK is an international mail and parcel forwarding service offering consumers and businesses the advantage of a hassle free UK

postal address from which they can ship anywhere in the world. A UK mail forwarding address also enables overseas businesses to have a presence in the United Kingdom.

A mail and parcel forwarding service streamlines businesses and enables even more efficiency when carrying out operations overseas and internationally.

Mail forwarding how it works
Sign Up to a mail forwarding service to get a UK mailing address.
This typically involves following quick and simple steps to register. Choose the right account to suit your need parcel forwarding needs. Click here to compare our parcel forwarding membership options. Once you’ve decided on which service account is right for you, you’ll be given a unique and genuine UK street address.

Make sure your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery
Its your responsibility to make sure that your goods are legally importable to the country of delivery. The forwarding service company will have a list of excluded items to make sure your package isn’t among them.

Get a quote
Find out how much it will cost to get your parcel to the destination country.

Order you goods
Get shopping and place your order. Make sure you enter your mail forwarding UK address when prompted to fill in the shipping address.

The packing forwarding company will receive your parcel
The company will let you know as soon as we receive delivery of your parcel. When you sign in to the online UK mailing address account, you’ll be able to track the status of your parcel as it is prepared for shipment.

The parcel will be prepared for shipment
The mail forwarding company will sort out all the paperwork for you and make sure your parcel is securely packaged.

Your parcel arrives at your doorstep
You can typically expect to receive delivery of your parcel from your UK mailing address within 5 days of the date of dispatch from the warehouse.

Week off work…check, beautiful vistas required, the English Lake District…check, want to see as much as possible, camper van…check!

With such vast, varied and breathtaking scenery as in the Lake District, it is far too difficult a task choosing one destination for a holiday or short break. Great driving roads+breathtaking scenery=the perfect recipe for camper vans.

Camper vans give you:
The opportunity to visit and experience numerous locations in one trip.
Give you the freedom to stop off when and where you like and for what duration.
No need to worry about there not being a hotel or guest house available in the area.
You are protected from the elements unlike camping.

You’ll never tire of driving on the roads in the Lake District and Cumbria which has some of the most scenic roads in England. In particular, Hartside Pass which The AA and Top Gear list in their top 10 driving roads in England. Other great driving roads include the Kirkstone Pass, the A591 which passes through Ambleside, Grasmere and onto Keswick and not for the faint hearted Hardnott and Wrynose passes.
VW camper vans are particularly suited to the roads in the Lake District. They are compact and allow you to drive on the stunning, narrow roads which other, larger camper van and mobile homes would not be able to.

Camper vans have seen a renaissance in recent years both in terms of new camper vans and mobile homes but especially the popularity of the classic VW camper van. Their iconic status continues to grow and excite young and old. Driving around in the VW camper van is guaranteed to turn heads and makes a holiday even more special.

A mobile holiday is the ultimate in economical holidaying. The cost of parking up on a camping or caravanning site is nominal and sometimes areas can be found that are free. You can self cater as much of the meals as you wish although the Lake District has some fantastic eating houses that really should be visited.

Many people simply can’t justify purchasing a VW camper van for themselves due to lack of annual leave and other commitments. A camper van has to be used regularly both for economy and for the wellbeing of the van. The perfect solution is in the form of hiring. Now you can rent a VW camper van in the Lake District and enables those who want to experience a camper van holiday but that do not want to purchase one. Volkswagen camper van hire is also great for those thinking of purchasing a van to gain knowledge of driving one. Camper van hire in the UK, sorted.

Nobel Fire Systems announces Exclusive European Agency Agreement for Stat-X with Fireaway Inc.

Nobel Fire Systems has entered into an exclusive Agency Agreement with Fireaway Inc to manage the distribution and provide technical assistance for its patented Stat-X fire suppression systems throughout Europe.

Ian Bartle, Managing Director of Nobel Fire Systems commented, “This agreement ensures that Nobel continues forward with its objective and mission of combining science and economics through the provision of environmentally friendly and totally efficient fire suppressant systems”.

The agreement covers the whole of Europe and Nobel is charged with the responsibility for increasing sales through existing distributors while at the same time identifying and capitalising on emerging and potential markets through the development of strategic business relationships.

Fireaway has appointed Nobel Fire Systems based on Nobel’s impressive track record to date. The Company currently accounts for over 50% of total European sales of Stat-X and has already established the product in a number of newly identified sectors such as the CNC market. It is that kind of entrepreneurial thinking and ability to create niche opportunities that convinced Fireaway that Nobel should be the distributor of choice for the critically important European market.

As well as the proven entrepreneurial skills, Nobel will also bring an abundance of practical product understanding and European application knowledge to the distribution agreement.

Founded in 2005 to commercialise condensed aerosol technology for use in fire suppression systems, Fireaway was searching for a distribution partner that shared its single minded objective to always save lives and property through developing fire fighting strategies. This new Agency Agreement with Nobel Fire Systems has created an opportunity for a long term commercial partnership that will also benefit existing and new customers throughout Europe.

Nobel Fire Systems designs, installs and services a range of fire protection, fire detection and fire suppression systems. Their range of systems are distributed nationally and internationally both from their base in the UK and through a growing network of agents.

For more information on Nobel Fire Systems fire suppression system products and services including water mist fire protection, visit http://www.nobel-fire-systems.com/

Since 1966, First in Service Ltd has been helping customers all over the UK look after their building and its environment. This includes air conditioning servicing, heating, ventilation, electrical, catering, coffee and refrigeration equipment and building services.

First in Service will design and install air conditioning and ventilation systems, and electrical equipment and installations. Their helpdesk is manned 24 hours a day, seven days a week to take your call. Their planned, preventative maintenance contracts are available across all disciplines to ensure that your equipment is kept in peak condition. All our Engineers are employed by the company and are CRB checked.

If you are looking to save energy or utility costs within your business First in Service can help you by installing energy/utilities meters, and they can assist in your application for an interest free loan from the Carbon Trust to help you install new equipment that will save energy.

For more information about First in Service, or any of their servicing, installation and maintenance services please visit www.firstinservice.co.uk.

EverLawn®, the brand from Artificial Grass (UK) Ltd, is pleased to announce the instant success of their ‘Affordable Landscape™’ product.

Answering the needs for large and small areas with a budget in place, the new product ‘Affordable Landscape™’ succeeds all expectations. Affordable Landscape is a quality, fibrillated yarn originally designed for Soccer but is now extensively used for leisure and landscape surfaces. The yarn is pre-slit during its making and matures to a fine yarn with everyday use.

Artificial grass installations are expected to increase in the coming years with America already warming to the benefits of this virtually maintenance free lawn  option. The initial purchase costs which have in the past put off some home owners, is eradicated due to products such as Affordable Landscape™.

With its multitude of uses such as maintenance free lawns for a holiday property or to create the wow factor on a roof terrace, artificial grass is the solution for  the modern day property owner, large or small.

The need to conserve water and energy is already extremely important but is almost definitely going to be an even stronger factor in the coming years. Artificial  grass eliminates the need for watering and energy and fuels are saved through the need not to have to mow.

So for more information on the appropriately named Affordable Landscape™ artificial grass product, visit http://www.everlawn.co.uk.

Bassenthwaite Lake
Bassenthwaite Lake is one of the largest of the Lake District at approximately 4 miles long and ¾ miles wide. Despite its size this long and narrow lake is very shallow, at its deepest point it reaches a depth of just 70 feet. The Lake is easily accessible with the A66 dual carriageway running along the western edge. The laybys are extremely popular for people wanting to take pictures and a spot of bird watching.

Coniston Water
Coniston is the third largest of the lakes and is approximately 5 miles long and ½ a mile wide. The lake is hugely popular with tourist due to its large expanse of water, which contains a number of tranquil islands, as well as the stunning scenery. The lake was famously the setting for the book Swallows and Amazons as well as the setting for Donald Campbell’s ill fated attempt to break the water speed record.

Derwentwater
Derwentwater is approximately 3 miles long and 1 mile wide making it the widest lake in the Lake District. The lake has a number of islands within, one of which contains Derwent Island House which is open to the public just 5 days a year. The huge Skiddaw overlooking the lake and the nearby market town of Keswick make Derwent one of the most popular lakes for visitors.

Ullswater
Ullswater is the second largest of all the lakes in the Lake District at approximately 9 miles long and ¾ of a mile wide. Regarded by many as the most beautiful of all the lakes, Ullswater often finds itself compared to lakes in Switzerland, such as Lucerne. This favourable comparison is thanks to the beautiful scenery with mountains to one side and green fields and woodland on the other. The lake is great for water sports, with canoeing, sailing and wind surfing particularly popular. There are also the more relaxing steamer boats that take you on a cruise of the lake.

Windermere
Windermere is the largest lake in the Lake District and is the largest in the whole of England at approximately 10.5 miles long and 1 mile wide. As well as being the largest of the lakes Windermere is also the most well known and has long been a very popular attraction for tourists. Many of the tourists who do visit end up taking part in at least one of the many on water activities available. These range from wake boarding, sailing and canoeing to a more sedate pleasure cruise.

About the Author
This article was written on behalf of Borrowdale Gates – one of the best Hotels in Keswick providing luxury base for your Lake District holiday.

Contributors to the popular Channel 4s Help My House is Falling Down with Sarah Beeny chose EverLawn artificial grass to transform their garden.

During the improvements to Paul and Clare;s home in Essex Sarah Beeny mentioned how good the artificial lawns are and that they should consider having one installed. Until it was mentioned to them Paul and Clare had never even considered artificial grass, but this gave them the opportunity to improve the overall look of their home while having a maintenance free lawn area that looks good for years.

Episode 1 in the first series of Help My House is Falling Down it was evident to viewers Paul and Clare had a challenge on their hands. But the challenge was one they were ready to face.
Read the rest of this entry »

Two of the UK’s leading footwear brands have gone all out for Christmas with their latest styles.

Introducing the Crocs Tembo Polartec winter clog available from Cloggs.co.uk. This Crocs winter shoe features a PolarTec lining for increased warmth and a classic Croslite™ material footbed for a truly comfortable clog. Warmth and comfort combine in a classically designed Crocs shoe that will be your best friend on those cold winter days.

Crocs Tembo PolarTec
The Crocs Tembo PolarTec Clog Features a creatively functional clog perfectly suited for winter wear. The Polartec® liner material provides exceptional insulation, warmth and breathability. A secure fit is provided by the Ripstop nylon collar with cinch cord and toggle system. The liner is both removable and washable. The lightweight cushioning is due to their fully-molded Croslite™ material construction.

Converse Sparkle Ox
It’s a wrap this Christmas courtesy of Converse at Cloggs with the latest Chuck Taylor designs for yourself and all your friends including kids, mens shoes and womens shoes. These sparkle, low tops have synthetic uppers which features wrapping paper patterns and a textured shine but not forgetting the ol’ faithful rubber outsole for grip.

Christmas is fast approaching and with the poor weather conditions the UK is experiencing at the moment, doing your Christmas shopping online is the way forward. Cloggs.co.uk offer free delivery as well as free exchanges.

The team behind Cloggs.co.uk has more than 35 years’ experience of trading on the high street and began operating online over ten years ago. Cloggs.co.uk now stocks more than 20,000 items across specialized departments covering womens shoes and mens shoes as well as boys and girls shoes. Other popular brands include: UGG boots, Converse and Crocs. The Cloggs.co.uk Bullring store also recently won ‘Best New Store’ at the Drapers Footwear Awards 2010.

The full Crocs and Converse ranges as well as all the mens and womens shoes ranges can be found on http://www.cloggs.co.uk.

Lake House is the latest venture for Gilpin Lodge, the award winning family owned and run hotel in Windermere.

Since opening in September 2010, Lake House has already proved a resounding success with guests who have been blown away with one couple’s comments being “it’s like a decompression chamber for stress – you simply feel your body relax”.

Lake House is comprised of six individual suites sharing this fully staffed boutique hotel with bar, dining room, lounge, swimming pool, sauna, hot tub and Knipe Tarn, a four acre right outside the door. The attention to detail is second to none at Lake House but its uniqueness is the combination of their unfussy service which creates an experience of escapism rarely found these days. Quiet, untouched, and devoid of traffic or people, whether sitting by the fire in the lounge, or in the cedar wood hot tub, Champagne in hand, or in the swimming pool, the view instils a sense of peace and calm.

The Lake House is set in 100 acres of private grounds. From the east side of the Lake, over the dam and the waterfall, a stile leads you into the grounds which are a mixture of hilly woodland, moorland, grassland and wild ponds.

Approximately half an hour’s walk from the main house, one particular hill has been named “Viewpoint”. From here you have 360 degree panoramic views of the Lake District, including the distant mountain ranges of Coniston and the Langdales. From this vantage point wild deer and birds of prey are frequently seen. Quite simply a unique location, setting it apart from other Windermere hotels.

The family and team are very proud to have been voted best small hotel in the national tourism awards held by Visit England in April 2010. This follows winning the Cumbria Tourism awards in April 2009, and the North?West England Tourism awards in November 2009.

For further information on Lake House including image galleries, visit http://www.gilpinlodge.co.uk

The towns of Bowness and Windermere are arguably the most vibrant and popular places in whole of the Lake District. They are busy for most of the year with people coming to enjoy the facilities offered by Lake Windermere, England’s largest lake. These include lake cruises to Waterhead in Ambleside and Lakeside at Newby Bridge, sailing, canoeing, fishing and the Windermere car ferry, which runs between Ferry Nab at Bowness and Far Sawrey.

Windermere is a great base for exploring the Lake District thanks to its excellent transport links. Windermere Railway station offers rail connections to Kendal and Oxenholme and it also has direct trains to and from Manchester Airport. Buses also run regularly from Windermere station including southbound journeys to Kendal and northbound journeys to Ambleside, Grasmere, and Keswick.

There is plenty for the whole family to do in and around Windermere including looking round some of the superb shops and visitor attractions such as The World of Beatrix Potter where all 23 Peter Rabbit tales are brought to life in 3D. Other local places of interest include …

Blackwell Arts & Crafts:
House in Bowness which is a superb example of the Arts & Crafts movement;

Hilltop - Near Sawrey:
Take the ferry and visit the writer’s 17th century cottage at the other side of Lake Windermere and see it exactly as she left it complete with her furniture and china.

Lakes Aquarium:
The Lakes Aquarium is located on the Southern shore of Windermere and can be accessed by taking a lake steamer from Bowness to Lakeside at Newby Bridge. Here visitors have the chance to see many exotic and local fish.

William Wordsworth’s Dove Cottage:
Here visitors can visit the home of England’s famous romantic poet at Grasmere. The adjacent Wordsworth Museum displays national treasures of the poet. There is an onsite tea room and gift shop.

The Lake District National Park Visitor Centre:
At Brockhole, situated on the shores of Lake Windermere, ideal family entertainment with interactive exhibitions and adventure playground. Whatever the weather.

For more active visitors there are plenty of walking routes available around Windermere including walks to spectacular viewpoints at Orrest Head and Biskey Howe where you will find breathtaking views of Lake Windermere and as far out as Morecambe Bay on a clear day. Windermere Golf Club is a very picturesque course and here you can relax after your round in the golf club restaurant with great views of surrounding mountains.

To take full advantage of Windermere and Bowness visitors should look to stay in a luxury Bowness-on Windermere B&B or Bed and Breakfast.

Garden offices give breathing space, are highly insulated and are an alternative to a house extension. When having a garden office constructed in a garden there is no disruption to the home and no need to move house. Designed and built to last a lifetime using housing quality standards and regulations, garden rooms and offices are double-insulated and a solid investment for the future.

Garden offices and rooms, are designed for three purposes: -
To keep you, your paperwork, books and office equipment dry and condensation free.
To be used and enjoyed all year round.
To give your house back to your family, so that they can make lots of noise whilst you are working.

Enjoy all year round living in a home-from-home in the garden. Garden home offices and annexes are usually protected with double layers of breathable insulation, for comfortable living however the weather behaves. During heatwaves, frosts, rainstorms and droughts a  garden office building will need a little heating, no air conditioning and will use small amounts of electricity.

Garden offices can be constructed so that they avoid plastic. The calm atmosphere of a garden office is created by choosing natural materials. No polyurethane insulation or plastic vapour barriers that create condensation. No PVC windows or wall panels. No plastic fillers or sealants.

We know you care about the environment. To help reduce CO2 emissions InsideOut use carefully chosen materials, produced in the UK and manufactured with low levels of energy and few chemicals. Our garden offices and garden rooms are built with a strong timber frame made with FSC wood. We use double layers of insulation and breathing technology to protect computers, books and musical instruments all year round.

Over 25% of the UK’s CO2 emissions come from inadequate insulation in domestic buildings. To further cut down on CO2 emissions, eco-friendly insulation can be put into a garden office. These eco-friendly materials have been manufactured using as little energy and chemicals, and as much recycling, as possible.

If exterior space is limited, a garden room is not out of the question. Small garden snugs are available and even the smallest Snugs are designed and constructed for environmentally considerate, all-year-round living and working. Minimal heating is required because of double layers of insulation in floor, roof and walls. Forget about air-conditioning; relax or work in the calm and quiet of a building that is ‘working’ to provide you with a dry, condensation free atmosphere.

Not so long ago gardens were exclusively for leisure. For lying around in, pottering in, eating al fresco, barbecues, bonfires, boules and swingball. But as the economic climate changes, the picture is looking very different. Once a haven of relaxation, gardens are turning into hives of activity as people all over the UK go to work in the garden. As the recession points Britain towards a new way of living, people want much more from their green spaces. These days, in addition to a lawn, shrubs and flowers,   many people are serious about growing their own produce and keeping chickens, others are bringing their businesses home to roost in their garden buildings.