A classic Georgian-style summerhouse with a hipped roof — and the most “heritage” building Tiger makes

The Tiger Mayflower Summerhouse is the kind of garden building that makes you pause, because it doesn’t look like it belongs in the usual shed-and-summerhouse world.

Most summerhouses are trying to do one of two things: either lean hard into “modern” (big glass, clean lines), or lean into “traditional” (apex roof, symmetrical front, little details that look cottagey). The Mayflower goes somewhere else entirely. It has a proper period-garden feel, almost like something you’d expect to see in the grounds of a stately home, a landscaped courtyard garden, or a National Trust-style setting where the building is meant to belong rather than stand out.

And the key reason it has that presence is the roof.

The hipped roof gives it a more architectural silhouette than a typical apex. It’s not “pointy” or barn-like. It’s calm, balanced, and visually expensive. Tiger describe it as a “unique and attractive hip style roof” and that’s one of the rare bits of brochure language I actually agree with, because in person (or even from good photography) you can see immediately why they chose it.

Inspection transparency (said plainly)

I want to be completely clear before I go further: we haven’t physically inspected the Mayflower itself at the Tiger show sites yet.

However, we have inspected a very large number of Tiger buildings over the years, including multiple summerhouses built using the same construction platform: 12mm shiplap tongue-and-groove walls, 12mm tongue-and-groove floor, 12mm tongue-and-groove roof, toughened glass, and the same framing philosophy.

So the way to read this review is simple:

• Where I’m describing character, layout logic, and what this building is “for”, that’s judgement based on the Mayflower’s design and the way these spaces tend to be used.
• Where I’m describing materials, joinery expectations, glazing method, roof/floor behaviour, and installation realities, that’s grounded in the Mayflower’s published spec and Tiger’s own installation guidance — plus what we consistently see on equivalent Tiger buildings in the real world.

That combination still produces a genuinely helpful, buyer-facing review — while staying honest about what we have and haven’t stood inside.

First impressions: “classy” is the right word

If you want a summerhouse that looks like a garden feature rather than a garden purchase, the Mayflower is immediately in the conversation.

The Georgian styling works because it doesn’t feel pasted on. You’ve got double Georgian half-glazed doors at the front and Georgian fixed windows as part of a balanced façade. The proportions are what sell it: it looks composed. The hipped roof finishes that composition in a way a standard apex simply can’t.

This is also one of those buildings where people underestimate it until they imagine it in a real setting. The Mayflower doesn’t need a massive garden. It needs the right garden. If your space is already landscaped or you’ve got a period property, it’s a very natural match. If your garden is more contemporary and minimal, it can still work — but it’s going to introduce a different aesthetic, almost like adding a classic watch to a modern outfit.

Sizes and proportions: tight range, strong intent

Tiger offer the Mayflower in three sizes:

• 8×8
• 10×8
• 12×8

I actually like that Tiger haven’t tried to stretch this model down into “token” small sizes, because the entire point of a building like this is presence and proportion. Too small and it becomes fussy. Too big and it risks becoming dominant. These sizes keep it in that sweet spot: substantial enough to feel like a real destination, but still realistic for most UK gardens.

The Mayflower is also unusually consistent in height across these sizes. External ridge height is listed at 2545mm, with external eaves at 1985mm, and an internal ridge height of 2433mm with internal eaves at 1885mm.
Those numbers matter for one reason: they tell you this isn’t a low, cramped “decorative” structure. Even though the roof is hipped, you’re still getting a proper sense of height and air.

And in a building that’s designed to be sat in, that internal volume is the difference between “a nice garden ornament” and “a place you actually use”.

The internal feel you should expect

Even without physically stepping inside this exact model yet, there are a few things we can say with confidence about how it will feel — because they come from geometry and from repeated experience with similar Tiger builds.

A hipped roof tends to make a space feel calmer and more refined than a standard apex. The slopes soften the shape of the room, and the roofline doesn’t pull your eye into a single point. You feel less like you’re inside a “shed shape” and more like you’re inside a garden pavilion.

The other factor here is glazing placement. The Mayflower’s windows and doors concentrate light into the front elevation, but you’re not dealing with a full conservatory-style wrap of glass. That usually produces a better balance: bright at the front, practical behind, and less of that “exposed fishbowl” feeling that some all-glass summerhouses create.

It’s the difference between a room you sit in occasionally, and a room you settle into.

Build quality: why Tiger’s 12mm platform tends to feel better than most

The Mayflower uses what Tiger call “Superior Grade 12mm Finish Shiplap T&G Cladding”, with 12mm roof boards and a 12mm tongue-and-groove floor.

That combination matters because tongue-and-groove boards behave differently to sheet material over time. With sheet board, the structure can feel “dead” but also vulnerable: once moisture gets into the wrong place, it can swell and degrade. Proper tongue-and-groove, when assembled square and maintained, tends to age more gracefully.

Tiger also list the framing as 28×44mm.
That’s a meaningful number. It’s not the chunkiest framing in the world, but it’s a solid, sensible choice for a summerhouse — and in practice, Tiger’s buildings at this level tend to feel more rigid than many equivalents because they don’t cheap out on the overall build philosophy (fixings, board quality, and how the panels marry up).

It’s also worth noting that Tiger specify “Selected European Softwoods” here. In real-world terms, what you care about as a buyer is consistency: boards that are straight, well-machined, and not full of weak knots. Tiger’s better buildings tend to deliver that.

Doors and windows: the details that affect day-to-day use

The Mayflower’s door size is listed as 1092mm × 1792mm.
That’s a comfortable set of double doors for a summerhouse — wide enough to move chairs and small furniture through without feeling like you’re fighting the frame. It also tells you this isn’t designed like a shed-with-windows. It’s designed like an actual leisure space.

Windows are 610mm × 914mm, with 3mm toughened glass, and Tiger list four windows across all three sizes.
Toughened glass is exactly what you want to see at this level: it’s safer, more durable, and generally more confidence-inspiring.

Now, here’s the honest “niggle” — and it’s one I mention across a lot of Tiger’s range because it’s relevant.

Tiger’s installation instructions make it explicit that glazing is secured using panel pins from the inside, and that all windows must be sealed inside and out with silicone (or another watertight sealant). They also state that window beading is not supplied as standard unless ordered.

Functionally, this works. Many people do it and never have a problem. But as someone who cares about finish and longevity, I always say the same thing: glazing is one of those steps you shouldn’t rush. If you’re careful and thorough with sealing, you’ll be fine. If you’re impatient or you assume “it’ll do”, that’s when you invite future irritation — not because the building is bad, but because water only needs one imperfect edge to find its way in over time.

If you want the cleanest possible finish, Tiger even mention you can order a glazing kit with beading and sealant. That’s worth knowing, because it gives buyers a route to upgrade the feel of the windows without changing the building.

Treatment and what TigerSkin really means

The Mayflower is listed as coming with TigerSkin Burnt Orange (water based) treatment.

This is important to interpret correctly. The installation guide explains that TigerSkin is a pre-treatment that provides an initial layer of protection, but that to validate the guarantee and ensure longevity, the building should be treated after assembly (internally and externally) with a high-quality oil or solvent-based preservative, and then treated annually thereafter.

This is one of those areas where a lot of buyers get caught out, so I’ll say it in normal human language:

• TigerSkin helps, and it’s better than bare timber arriving untreated.
• But if you want the building to look good and last, you still need to commit to proper treatment as part of ownership.

The good news is that the Mayflower is exactly the type of building that rewards that effort. A well-treated Georgian summerhouse ages beautifully. A neglected one starts to look tired far sooner than it should.

Roof covering and long-term care

Tiger specify black mineral felt as the roof covering. That’s standard at this level and perfectly sensible.

What I like in the installation guide is that it makes the felting process explicit: measure, cut, lay from low side to high side, overlap correctly, and use ridge strips properly.
The reason this matters is simple: the roof is the first line of defence. Felt failures are rarely “a bad product” — they’re usually rushed fitting, poor overlap, or not letting the felt relax before installation.

The guide also notes there are no bargeboards on the low side of the roof because it would prevent effective water drainage. That’s a small detail, but it signals that Tiger are thinking about function as well as finish.

Base preparation: where most problems begin

If there’s one thing I wish every buyer took seriously, it’s the base.

Tiger’s instructions are very clear: your base must be firm and level, built on firm ground, at least the size of the building footprint, and ideally with the floor at least 25mm above surrounding ground level to avoid flooding.

They also outline suitable base types: plastic grid systems, concrete, slabs on sand, timber bases — and they specifically warn against broken slabs, bare soil, loose gravel, and uneven support.

This ties directly into what we see in the real world: a good building on a bad base becomes a frustrating building. Doors start to misalign, panels twist slightly, felt lines look wrong — and people blame the product when the underlying issue is the foundation.

If you buy the Mayflower, treat it like a proper garden structure. Give it a base that respects what it is.

Seasonal reality: what this is (and isn’t)

The Mayflower is a summerhouse, not a log cabin office.

With 12mm cladding, it will be perfectly comfortable in spring, summer, and early autumn — and it will be a lovely space on bright winter days when sunlight is coming through the glazing. But it is not insulated, and it’s not designed to be heated as a permanent work-from-home room without additional upgrades.

The upside is that the Mayflower’s layout is likely to feel less “exposed” than fully glazed designs, which can help it retain a bit more calmness and comfort. But the honest advice remains: if your primary goal is a year-round office, you should be looking at Tiger’s thicker log cabin options instead.

If your goal is a classic, elegant retreat — somewhere to sit, read, host a quiet drink, or just have a destination at the end of the garden — the Mayflower is exactly that.

Assembly practicality: what buyers should know before delivery

Tiger’s instructions recommend two competent adults for installation, along with sensible tools, and they emphasise checking parts and squareness before you begin.

A detail that matters: for the 10×8 and 12×8 models, Tiger supply two roof trusses, whereas the 8×8 model is not supplied with a truss.
That’s useful information because it tells you Tiger are adding structural reinforcement as the building grows — exactly what you want to see.

It’s also why larger sizes often feel more “settled” once built: you’re not just getting more space, you’re getting extra roof support designed for that span.

What I’d tweak (a small criticism that increases trust)

If I could change one thing about the Mayflower’s overall approach, it would be the glazing finish.

The building is clearly aiming at a premium, heritage feel. The roof shape, the proportions, the Georgian styling — it all says “timeless”. So having glazing that relies on panel pins and silicone (unless you order beading) feels slightly out of step with the rest of the product’s identity.

To be clear: this isn’t a safety concern, and it doesn’t automatically mean leaks. It’s simply a craftsmanship preference. A beaded system feels more traditional, more refined, and more consistent with the Mayflower’s character.

The positive is that Tiger acknowledge this in their own documentation by pointing buyers towards an optional glazing kit. That’s the sort of practical upgrade I’d consider if I were buying this building specifically for its “heritage” presence.

Final verdict: who should buy the Tiger Mayflower?

The Tiger Mayflower Summerhouse is for someone who values aesthetics and atmosphere as much as build quality.

It’s not trying to be minimal or modern. It’s trying to feel established — like it’s always belonged in the garden. The hipped roof gives it the stance and the refinement, the Georgian styling gives it character, and the underlying build platform (12mm tongue-and-groove throughout, toughened glass, 28×44mm framing) is exactly what you want at this level.

If you want a summerhouse that feels timeless rather than trendy — something you’ll be proud to look at every day — the Mayflower is one of Tiger’s strongest designs.

Just go into it with the right mindset:

• Build it on a proper base.
• Treat it properly after assembly and annually.
• Take your time with glazing and sealing.

Do those things, and you’re buying a building that won’t just “do a job” — it will genuinely elevate the garden.