Garden Annexes in London — Self-Contained, Year-Round Living
A garden annexe is a fully self-contained living space in your garden — with bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette where required — designed for independent or semi-independent use. For multi-generational families, parents of adult children, or homeowners exploring guest accommodation or rental income, a garden annexe is one of the most cost-effective ways to add functional living space without moving home.
Garden Annexes in London — Self-Contained, Year-Round Living
A garden annexe is a fully self-contained living space in your garden — with bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette where required — designed for independent or semi-independent use. For multi-generational families, parents of adult children, or homeowners exploring guest accommodation or rental income, a garden annexe is one of the most cost-effective ways to add functional living space without moving home.
Who Garden Annexes Are For
Multi-Generational Living (Granny Annexes)
The most common use. Provides elderly parents with independence, privacy and proximity — without the upheaval of moving them into the main house or into a care setting. Many of our annexes are designed with accessibility in mind: level thresholds, wider doorways, walk-in showers.
Adult Children Returning Home
With London rents at record highs, many families now host adult children back home temporarily while they save for a deposit. A garden annexe gives them independent space — and gives the family some breathing room.
Guest Accommodation
A self-contained guest suite for visiting family. Particularly popular with London homeowners whose extended family lives overseas and visits for extended stays.
Home Office / Studio with Bathroom
A working garden building with full facilities — bathroom, kitchenette — for clients who run their business from home and need a fully equipped workspace separate from the main house.
Home Office / Studio with Bathroom
A working garden building with full facilities — bathroom, kitchenette — for clients who run their business from home and need a fully equipped workspace separate from the main house.
How We Build Your Annex
A simple, transparent process from concept to completion.
Consultation & Design
We discuss your ideas and create a bespoke annex design tailored to your requirements.
Manufacturing
Your annex is precision manufactured using premium materials and modern construction techniques.
Installation
Our experienced team completes the installation quickly and efficiently with minimal disruption.
What's Included in a Garden Annexe
- Insulated structural shell — SIPs construction, high-performance insulation, EPDM roofing.
- Sleeping area — One or two bedrooms depending on layout.
- Bathroom — Full bathroom or shower room, connected to mains water and drainage.
- Kitchenette — Compact kitchen with sink, hob, fridge and storage. Full kitchens available on larger builds.
- Living area — Open-plan or separate, depending on size.
- Full electrics and heating — Underfloor heating, electric radiators or heat pump options.
- Aluminium double glazing — Bi-fold doors, large windows, slim sightlines.
- Plastered finish throughout — Indistinguishable from a room in your main house.
Planning Permission for Garden Annexes
Garden annexes have more complex planning rules than standard garden rooms. Key points:
- Annexes used as ancillary accommodation (for family members, not independent rental) often fall within Permitted Development.
- Annexes intended as independent dwellings or for rental income usually require full planning permission.
- Size limits, height limits and curtilage rules apply — exact parameters vary by borough.
- Conservation areas, listed buildings and properties in Article 4 zones have stricter rules.
We handle planning consultation as part of the design phase and submit applications on your behalf where required. This is included in your quotation — not an extra fee.
Our Recent Annex Projects
Take inspiration from our bespoke garden annex designs created for homeowners across London.
Typical Sizes and Specifications
- Compact annexe (5x4m / 20 sqm) — Studio-style with bathroom and kitchenette.
- Standard annexe (6x4m / 24 sqm) — Separate bedroom, living/kitchen area, bathroom.
- Large annexe (7x5m / 35 sqm) — Two bedrooms or generous one-bedroom with separate living.
- Custom — We design to your specific requirements, garden constraints and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes. We connect mains water from your existing house supply and drainage to your existing sewer or septic system. All plumbing is carried out by certified professionals as part of our build.
Typically 3–4 weeks from groundwork start to handover, depending on size and specification. Manufacturing happens off-site in parallel, so the on-site disruption is minimised.
Annexes used for family members usually do not attract separate council tax. Annexes used as independent dwellings (for example, rented to a non-family tenant) may. We can advise during consultation.
Yes — this is the most common use of garden annexes in London. We design with accessibility in mind: level thresholds, wide doorways, walk-in showers, slip-resistant flooring. Many families find a granny annexe gives elderly relatives the independence they want with the proximity the family needs.
Annexes typically start around £55,000 for a compact studio and rise to £90,000+ for a larger two-bedroom build. Full itemised quotations are provided after your free site survey.
