Our place to escape to….

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Tucked away in a quiet residential street in the traditional Somerset town of Frome is the home of Lynda and Martin James - and their back garden comes as quite a surprise.

Looking as if it’s been lifted from an ultra-chic homes magazine, the larger than average garden is immaculately planted with beautiful flowers and shrubs, and taking pride of place is a very modern log cabin.

“We have tried to make the most of our outdoor space,” says the extremely modest Lynda. “If you can make your garden enjoyable, then you are definitely winning.”

The 5m x 3m Norwegian Log garden building has replaced an old shed and greenhouse, and allows Lynda and Martin to max the use of their plot. The back of their house is north-facing, getting little sun, so the couple can now pop across their beautifully manicured lawn and soak up the rays from their cabin.

“We can just escape. We have our meals up here and it’s become another room. Our children have had parties in it, and we’re up here for a cup of tea in the afternoon whilst we’re gardening, and then for a glass of wine in the evening,” she explains.

The cabin is kitted out with comfortable chairs and a music system, boasts lots of bi-fold doors and full-length windows so you get a full view of the garden, and an air conditioning unit/heater - “although we don’t need to use it very often as the insulation is marvellous,” Lynda says. Decking and stylish garden furniture complete the look.

Fittingly, Lynda and Martin first spotted Norwegian Log at a prestigious RHS garden show, and then visited the company’s log cabin showroom in Reading. “We also went to see one other company but their buildings were more like sheds,” she laughs.

With no planning permission needed, after ordering and site preparation work, it took Norwegian Log’s team a week to build on site. “They were very clean and tidy, and I would recommend them with no hesitation,” Lynda says. “Nothing is a hassle. We were really pleased.”

Now very much part of their home, the cabin is used all year round. “We even decorated it at Christmas with a tree,” she chuckles. “At one stage, Martin suggested having Christmas dinner out there as he likes it so much, but I thought that was one step too far!”