Asgard Sheds, HMP Bullingdon Gardens with PACT & The Nature Effect
We were recently approached by Laura Burt from The Nature Effect for help and advice with their garden initiatives at HMP Bullingdon via. The Nature Effect is a not‑for‑profit Community Interest Company. The Nature Effect uses nature to transform people and spaces by running community gardens, workshops, and outdoor projects that foster wellbeing and skill‑building.
PACT (Prison Advice and Care Trust) is the UK’s leading charity supporting prisoners, people with convictions, and their families, providing family‑friendly Visitor Centres and reducing harm and reoffending across England and Wales.
Together, these partners have cultivated two distinct garden spaces at HMP Bullingdon. The Visitor Centre garden offers families a welcoming, sheltered spot when loved ones visit, while the gardens “on the wing” are maintained by inmates as part of their horticultural and rehabilitative programmes. Both spaces needed secure storage sheds to keep tools, equipment, and welcome materials safe and dry.
Why the Asgard Access and Saracen Sheds?
Access Shed in the Visitor Centre
Two sheds were chosen: the Access and the Saracen. The smaller garden shed, our Access Shed (7ft × 5ft 2″), was the perfect fit for the Visitor Centre garden. Yes, this is a smaller shed, but this compact garden storage unit features plenty of features, including a galvanised (weatherproof) thick steel construction and an anti‑tamper locking system, providing:
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Weather-resistant durability – protects plants, seating cushions, and visitor materials
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Secure 3-point locking lock – reassurance for staff and volunteers that equipment stays safe
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Easy Access – thanks to the gas lift, lift-up lid and double door opening
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Spacious interior – room for gardening tools, toys for the children, and signage
"It was super windy, so not the easiest install - but the guys were amazing and so quick. The one at the Visitor Centre looks fab. … Both of these sheds help enormously with security and functionality which are both essential on these sites.” - Laura Burt, The Nature Effect
Saracen Shed in the Prison Gardens
The smaller garden shed, our Access Shed (7 ft × 5 ft 2″) was the perfect fit for the Visitor Centre garden. Our compact garden storage unit features galvanised steel panels, a reinforced floor, and an anti‑tamper locking system, providing:
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Weather-resistant durability – protects plants, seating cushions, and visitor materials
-
Secure 3 point locking lock – reassurance for staff and volunteers that equipment stays safe
-
Spacious interior – room for gardening tools, toys for the children, and signage
"It was super windy, so not the easiest install - but the guys were amazing and so quick. The one at the Visitor Centre looks fab. … Both of these sheds help enormously with security and functionality which are both essential on these sites.” - Laura Burt, The Nature Effect
Saracen Shed in the Prison Gardens
For the inmate‑maintained garden, there was a more compact but highly secure garden storage solution — the Saracen model (5 ft × 4 ft). This small metal garden shed delivers big on security, combining reinforced, galvanised steel panels with a full metal floor and a high‑security 5‑point locking system.
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Reinforced galvanised steel panels – weatherproof and built to resist rust, dents, and theft attempts
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Police Approved (Secured by Design) – features a 5‑point locking system with deadbolts and a pick-and-drill resistant euro cylinder lock
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Full-width double doors – provide easy access for wheelbarrows, planters, compost bags, and tools
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Internal apex roof height of 6 ft 6″ – comfortable standing height for most users without hunching
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Ventilation system – hidden vents in the roof reduce condensation and help keep equipment dry
Inmates and staff working in the garden not only gain horticultural skills but also experience ownership and responsibility – knowing their tools are safely stored adds to the sense of pride and continuity in the project.
The Impact on Staff, Visitors, and Inmates
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Visitors and Families: A neat, sheltered outdoor storage solution ensures gardening tools and children’s play resources are always available and protected, fostering a more relaxed and welcoming visit.
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Prison Staff & Volunteers: The Access Shed keeps essential supplies organised and secure in a dedicated garden storage unit, reducing set‑up time and ensuring smooth operation of the Visitor Centre garden.
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Inmate Gardeners: The Saracen Shed underpins their rehabilitative horticulture programme, providing safe storage for tools and empowering them to maintain and develop the garden space.
By working hand‑in‑hand with PACT and The Nature Effect, we’ve helped create two vibrant, secure community spaces, demonstrating that secure garden sheds are about more than safeguarding belongings; they’re about empowering people and enriching lives.
Looking Ahead
This project at HMP Bullingdon is just one example of how Asgard can help to support charitable and community‑driven spaces. Whether it’s a prison garden, school allotment, or public green space, our range of outdoor storage offers the security and functionality needed to make community projects flourish.
See some more Asgard Community Work.
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