Make the most of a large garden and the summer with a 12’ x 8’ summer house. These large models offer a spacious, airy interior where you can find space to breathe and enjoy the sunshine.
All our summer houses are equipped with a robust frame and interlocking tongue and groove cladding, amongst features like large, shatterproof windows and a choice of stylistic options like apex or pent roofs. While you may have a 12 x 8ft or 8 x 12ft size in mind, these options mean you have flexibility in the look and feel of the building you buy.
If you need more help with selecting features or narrowing down which size works best for your garden, consult our summerhouse buying guide.
{"category":{"CategoryID":869,"CategoryName":"GBD Summerhouses","CatDescription":null,"CatImage":"https://content.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/images/category/untitled_design_(2)_20230607121457.png","IsCustomList":false,"FeaturedProduct":9261,"CategoryStoreID":920,"CategoryRewrite":"summerhouses","DisplayName":"Summer House","SubHeading":null,"TagH1":"Summer House","ShopByText":"\u003Cp\u003ETransform your garden into a beautiful outdoor retreat with our affordable \u003Cstrong\u003Esummer houses\u003C/strong\u003E. Find the perfect garden summer house for you in our selection below, and if you need help deciding, check out our \u003Cstrong\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/summerhouses-the-ultimate-guide/\u0022\u003Esummer house buying guide\u003C/a\u003E\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n","ShopByPage":true,"MetaPageTitle":"Summer Houses | Wooden Summer House Designs | Stylish \u0026 Durable","MetaDescription":"Find a great deal on a wooden summer house. Durable, weatherproof, and perfect for UK gardens. Free delivery and 10-year guarantee.","MetaKeywords":"Summerhouse, Summerhouses, Quality Summerhouse, Cheap Summerhouses, Garden Summerhouse, Summerhouses UK, Wooden Summerhouse, Traditional Summerhouse, Summer Home, Summer Garden House, Garden Summerhouses UK, Cheap Summerhouses UK, summer house, summer houses, wooden summer house.\r\n","CustomBlock":"\u003Ch2\u003E Benefits of a summer house\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBy far the best thing about a summer house is that it makes your garden pleasant to sit in even when the weather turns grey. Spring and summer rains are no longer an issue when you can simply close the doors, sit down, and enjoy the view with your family or your favourite comforts, while still maintaining an outdoor vibe.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003ESummerhouses are also excellent for garden privacy, as they can hide you from the view of nosy neighbours, block noise, and give you a space for private conversations.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EWhy Choose a Summer House from Garden Buildings Direct\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWe offer a range of great-value summerhouses that don\u2019t compromise on quality. Built to last and designed to blend seamlessly into any garden, our summerhouses are crafted using high-quality timber that provides both durability and a natural aesthetic.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003EDurable Timber Construction: Manufactured by garden building experts with decades of experience, each of our summerhouses is built with strong, sustainable timber that ensures longevity and carries a 10 year guarantee.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003EAffordable Prices: Get the best value for your money, with summerhouses that are affordable yet built to last.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003EFunctional and Stylish Designs: Whether you need extra storage, a peaceful garden retreat, or a space to entertain, our designs are practical and attractive.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003C/ul\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ECustomisable wooden summerhouses\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWhile our summerhouses are designed with affordability in mind, we still offer a range of customization options to ensure your garden building fits perfectly with your style and space. From optional windows and doors to color finishes, you can make your summerhouse uniquely yours without overspending.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cul\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003ECustomize Your Door and Window Positions: On select models, choose which side to place the entrance to match your garden\u0027s layout.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003EStain or Paint Options: We offer a variety of finishes to complement your garden\u2019s existing d\u00E9cor.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003Cli\u003EAdd Optional Features: Enhance your summerhouse with extra features like shelving or guttering for an even more enjoyable space.\u003C/li\u003E\r\n\u003C/ul\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003EQuality Summerhouse Materials\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBuilt from tongue and groove cladding for an attractive, watertight construction, many of our wooden summerhouses utilise pre-assembled wall panels which are simple to install. However, if your summer house is a \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/log-cabins\u0022\u003Elog cabin\u003C/a\u003E style, it will need to be assembled from individual boards.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWe would encourage you to paint and decorate your summer house to truly make it your own. Hang decorations, mount a TV, put down a rug, and enjoy your new garden experience! For decorating inspiration, check out our blog about \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/paint-to-use-inside-a-summer-house/\u0022\u003Epainting a summer house\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPlease note that pressure treated wooden summerhouses should not be painted within 4-6 months of purchase due to the preserver needing to fully dry.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EBuy a Summer House from a UK Manufacturer Established for 20 years\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith over 20 years of experience providing British-made summerhouses, Garden Buildings Direct is one of the most trusted summerhouse manufacturers on the market. The product sent to you is a building kit with full instructions. All you\u2019ll need is a few basic tools and another person to help put it together.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003ETypes of Garden Summer House\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you need to budget carefully for your building, we have a range of \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/cheap-summerhouses\u0022\u003Echeap summerhouses\u003C/a\u003E that may be the most accessible for you. But you should also consider where you are positioning your summerhouse and how you plan to use it.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ELog Cabin Summerhouse\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EBuilt from individual logs, customers choose \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/log-cabin-summerhouses\u0022\u003Elog cabin summerhouses\u003C/a\u003E due to the natural insulation properties of the heavy duty timber.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ESummerhouse with Side Shed\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EGain a multifunctional building by choosing a \u003Cstrong\u003Esummerhouse shed\u003C/strong\u003E. Store everything from garden tools to furniture to bikes, without intruding on your relaxation space. Two of our models here are summerhouses with side storage:\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/log-cabins/tianna\u0022\u003EBillyOh Tianna\u003C/a\u003E: a log cabin summerhouse featuring a cosy room and a convenient storage cupboard to the side.\u003Cbr\u003E\r\n\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/summerhouses/penton-summerhouse\u0022\u003EBillyOh Penton\u003C/a\u003E: a corner summerhouse with a wide view of the garden and slightly larger double-doored storage.\r\n\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ECorner Summer House\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EPlanning to put your summerhouse in the corner of your garden? \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/corner-summerhouses\u0022\u003ECorner summerhouses\u003C/a\u003E feature a diagonally-facing door, so you always have a great view of your full garden and don\u2019t have to choose a direction to face.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ESummerhouse roof types\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EThe type of roof on your garden house not only affects its aesthetic appeal within the garden, but also affects how much vertical space you have. An \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/apex-summerhouses\u0022\u003Eapex summer house\u003C/a\u003E offers a classic look that will blend with most rustic style gardens, particularly for people with a stone house or a listed building. Due to its raised height at the centre it also provides more internal space overall, in which you could hang extra lighting or decorations.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIn contrast, a \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/pent-summerhouses\u0022\u003Epent summer house\u003C/a\u003E is a more contemporary style that will blend well with any modern garden.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EBuy a Summer House with Free Delivery\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWe deliver our summerhouses free to most of Great Britain. Delivery charges apply to addresses furthest away from our headquarters in Nottinghamshire, and additional charges will apply to log cabin summerhouses due to the heavier mass of individual logs. You can see a full breakdown of whether delivery charges will apply to you on our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/help/delivery\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Edelivery information page\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EGarden House Buying Information\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more information on types of summer house, answers to frequently asked questions and tips on how to make use of it, check out our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/summerhouses-the-ultimate-guide/\u0022\u003Esummerhouse buying guide\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you need help deciding or making a purchase, contact our summer house experts on \u003Ca href=\u0022tel:01909 768840\u0022\u003E01909 768840\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003ESummerhouse finance\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EDon\u2019t forget that you can also buy your summerhouse on finance, thanks to our partnership with Novuna. You\u2019ll find all the information below the \u2018Add to basket\u2019 section on the product page. As long as your purchase is at least \u00A3560 and with a minimum deposit of 10%, finance is available for up to 48 months. For the full terms and conditions you should read our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/help/finance\u0022\u003Efinance page\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch3\u003EStart Your Garden Transformation Now\u003C/h3\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EReady to enhance your garden with an affordable summerhouse? Browse our collection above and find the perfect design for your space. \u003Cstrong\u003EOrder online now\u003C/strong\u003E and get started on creating a beautiful, functional space for your garden at a price that suits your budget.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\r\n","CustomBlock2":null,"OGImage":"","DefaultSortOrder":1},"page":1,"totalPages":1,"filterPriceMax":3000,"currentFilterPrice":0,"SEOContent":{"Title":"12x8ft Summerhouses","TopDescription":"\u003Cp\u003EMake the most of a large garden and the summer with a 12\u0026rsquo; x 8\u0026rsquo; \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/summerhouses\u0022\u003Esummer house\u003C/a\u003E. These large models offer a spacious, airy interior where you can find space to breathe and enjoy the sunshine.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EAll our summer houses are equipped with a robust frame and interlocking tongue and groove cladding, amongst features like large, shatterproof windows and a choice of stylistic options like \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/apex-summerhouses\u0022\u003Eapex\u003C/a\u003E or \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/pent-summerhouses\u0022\u003Epent\u003C/a\u003E roofs. While you may have a 12 x 8ft or 8 x 12ft size in mind, these options mean you have flexibility in the look and feel of the building you buy.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EIf you need more help with selecting features or narrowing down which size works best for your garden, consult our \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/summer-house-buying-guide\u0022\u003Esummerhouse buying guide\u003C/a\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E","BottomDescription":"\u003Ch2\u003EWhat Size Garden Is Right For a 12 x 8 Summer House?\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EChoosing the right sized building for your garden is crucial if you plan to make the most out of it. If the building is too big it will dominate the garden and leave it feeling cramped, but if it\u0026rsquo;s too small it may leave you wishing you had chosen something larger. It\u0026rsquo;s also important to buy according to your needs, including how many people might be inside at one time (the more people, the bigger the building needed).\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor a 12\u0026rsquo;x8\u0026rsquo; foot or 8\u0026rsquo;x12\u0026rsquo; garden summer house, the right-sized garden will provide enough space around the building for manoeuvrability. We recommend at least one foot on each side to reduce the chance surrounding structures or features could damage the building.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/blog/summer-house-planning-permission/\u0022\u003EPlanning regulations for summerhouses\u003C/a\u003E state that your building \u003Cstrong\u003Ecannot\u003C/strong\u003E take up \u003Cstrong\u003Emore than 50%\u003C/strong\u003E of your garden space - but in reality, we would not recommend taking up any more than \u003Cstrong\u003E30% \u003C/strong\u003Eof the garden. Reducing your garden to any amount below 70% of its original size can often be a step too far and leave it feeling cramped.\u0026nbsp;\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EWith that in mind, the right size garden for a 12x8 building would be anything bigger than 320 square feet or 29 square metres - for example, a 14 x 24 foot garden would be ideal.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Ch2\u003EDelivery and Help\u003C/h2\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EOur building\u0026rsquo;s \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/help/delivery\u0022\u003Edelivery\u003C/a\u003E service provides safe and quick delivery of your building to your door. We deliver across the entirety of the mainland UK, with \u003Cstrong\u003Efree delivery\u003C/strong\u003E available for most postcodes in England and Wales.\u003C/p\u003E\r\n\u003Cp\u003EFor more help or information, our experienced customer service team in on hand to help. Take a look at frequently asked questions on our help page, or get in touch with our team using the \u003Ca href=\u0022https://www.gardenbuildingsdirect.co.uk/help/contact\u0022\u003Econtact form\u003C/a\u003E or by calling us on \u003Cstrong\u003E01909 768840\u003C/strong\u003E.\u003C/p\u003E"}}
The classic garden house, created from timber and built for relaxation. A place for peace and quiet, a place to spend those long, sweltering summer days. A typical design maximises the amount of natural light that reaches the interior and keeps the separation between outdoors and in to a minimum. But when it comes to style and shape, our wide variety of buildings gives you the freedom to pick to your preference.
The heavy-duty cousin of a regular building, you’ll find these log cabin summerhouses provide comfort that can be enjoyed throughout the year. While still providing a dedicated place to relax, and full of features that let you make the most of summer, the thicker log walls afford a more comfortable interior better suited for the colder months of the year and adding to the usability of your summerhouse.
Utility is guaranteed with a summerhouse shed. The name tells you all you need to know - these buildings bring together relaxation and functionality by marrying shed and summerhouse. This usually takes on the format of a primary sunroom and a side room which is designed for storage, meaning that the spaces don’t interfere with each other.
In-built insulation expands what you can do with a summerhouse. It becomes so much more than a place to relax, with the ability to use the building as an office or studio space. With reduced heat transfer due to the insulate features - like insulation foil and double glazing - these insulated summerhouses aren’t just for summer, but can become a whole new room in your home.
Not only do metal summer houses look different from their timber counterparts, they can be used a little differently too! The sleek metal finishes create an ultra-modern exterior that is more than able to handle bad weather. These buildings are low-maintenance, incredibly secure, and packed with useful features to create a sleek, modern garden house.
Made for those awkward spaces and unused corners - add a place to relax and unwind. Specially designed for right-angle spaces, a corner summerhouse is the perfect way to start making the most of your garden by adding a place to relax. The design of these buildings is great for sunlight, with windows on two sides to help make the interior bright and airy.
FAQs
The most common use of a summer house (or garden house) is as a sheltered outdoor lounge area or a sunroom. On a bright, warm day you could have the doors open wide and relax in an armchair in the shade while watching the children play outside. The summerhouse makes a great place to sit during a family party or a barbecue. If the weather turns, not to worry - you are still sheltered and comfortable with a good view of the outdoors.
Summerhouses also provide spectacular views of your garden at night, especially if you have garden lights.
Our summer houses are manufactured from Scandinavian spruce, never cheap pine. The trees are replanted after the timber is acquired.
Our BillyOh wooden summerhouses are guaranteed for 10 years against rot, decay and insect infestation. Good maintenance can see these buildings last many years longer than the guarantee.
If you buy a pressure treated summerhouse, the guarantee is extended to 15 years. Pressure treatment is a process where wood preserver is forced deep into the timber by a high-pressure machine. The preservative protects the wood from moisture, rot and insects, keeping it healthier and stronger for longer.
The size of your summer house will depend on what you plan to use it for and how much space you have. Remember that it needs to take up less than half your garden, in order to avoid the planning permission legal process. You can find out more about that in our guide to summerhouse planning permission.
One of the most popular sizes is a 12x8 summerhouse (measured in feet, equating to about 3.6 x 2.4 metres). This size provides ample room for it to be used as a relaxing family lounge area, a garden office, a garden gym, or a host of other purposes.
The best approach is to decide where you would like the summerhouse to stand in your garden and measure the width and length of that space with a tape measure. This will give you an idea of the size range you should be looking at.
Traditional summerhouses are perfect for lounging in the garden, keeping you cool on a hot day, and allow you to continue enjoying your outdoor space even if it rains.
As an extra room, summerhouses can also be used for other activities, especially those that come with thicker walls. A summerhouse can be used as a garden office, for instance.
You will find even more potential from a large summer house. If you have the space to spare, be sure to check out our larger size options.
Our summerhouses start from less than £800. If you need to budget carefully for your building, we have a range of cheap summerhouses that may be the most accessible for you.
Don't forget you can also use our finance options to make it easier to afford your new garden summerhouse.
Traditionally, summerhouses are designed as sitting areas for enjoying the garden during the warmer half of the year. They also provide a way to enjoy your garden during rain or cold winds.
While many models have thin walls, meaning they do not hold onto heat through the colder months, a log cabin summer house offers an alternative if you're looking for a room to use for more of the year.
What Size Garden Is Right For a 12 x 8 Summer House?
Choosing the right sized building for your garden is crucial if you plan to make the most out of it. If the building is too big it will dominate the garden and leave it feeling cramped, but if it’s too small it may leave you wishing you had chosen something larger. It’s also important to buy according to your needs, including how many people might be inside at one time (the more people, the bigger the building needed).
For a 12’x8’ foot or 8’x12’ garden summer house, the right-sized garden will provide enough space around the building for manoeuvrability. We recommend at least one foot on each side to reduce the chance surrounding structures or features could damage the building.
Planning regulations for summerhouses state that your building cannot take up more than 50% of your garden space - but in reality, we would not recommend taking up any more than 30% of the garden. Reducing your garden to any amount below 70% of its original size can often be a step too far and leave it feeling cramped.
With that in mind, the right size garden for a 12x8 building would be anything bigger than 320 square feet or 29 square metres - for example, a 14 x 24 foot garden would be ideal.
Delivery and Help
Our building’s delivery service provides safe and quick delivery of your building to your door. We deliver across the entirety of the mainland UK, with free delivery available for most postcodes in England and Wales.
For more help or information, our experienced customer service team in on hand to help. Take a look at frequently asked questions on our help page, or get in touch with our team using the contact form or by calling us on 01909 768840.
Customer Testimonials
Elodie's Picton Corner Summerhouse
It’s allowed us to spend so much more time outside no matter what the weather. We’ve even been out there in the winter with our coats and blankets on, it really is usable all year!
Stacey's Renna Summerhouse
The large windows and double doors provide an uninterrupted view of the garden and plenty of room inside to enjoy the view. My favourite thing - hands down, has to be the ability to sit and enjoy a space away from home.
Izzie's Holly Summerhouse
I just loved the design of the BillyOh Holly summerhouse from the outside and I wanted something that was the same width and length to fit perfectly into the corner of my garden.
Emma's Bella Summerhouse
It’s allowed us to have a space away from the house to enjoy with friends so we don't wake the kids up! Also, over the last year it’s allowed us to feel like we are sort of going out, even if it is just to the bottom of the garden!
Farayi's Penton Summerhouse
We chose this building for storage and somewhere to sit and enjoy the garden. We now have a solution for both which is just amazing. It’s really allowed us to sit and admire the view and still be in the garden all year round.
Lisa's Tessa Summerhouse
It had more windows than everything else, and the dual aspect doors made for a flexible space. We chose Garden Buildings Direct because of the good value and a good selection of summerhouses.
Request a callback
Our friendly sales team would be happy to talk to you about any queries you may have about our products or services. Let us have a few details and we will call you back as soon as possible
Sign up to our newsletter
Be the first to know about new product releases, offer and more.
10 year guarantee
FLEXIBLE FINANCE OPTIONS
Free Delivery *to most of uk
uk MANUFACTURED
