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The Tigercub Crazy Cottage is one of the most distinctive and characterful playhouses in Tiger’s children’s range. With its quirky, fairytale roofline, tall proportions and generous glazing, it immediately stands out. But, as with every Tigercub model we’ve inspected at the Horsforth, Otley and Tong show sites, the surprise is how solid the building feels — this isn’t a decorative toy hut, but a miniature garden building built to the same structural philosophy as Tiger’s adult sheds.

A quick word on how we reviewed it. Although the exact Crazy Cottage model wasn’t present at every show site during our most recent visits, we have physically inspected and spent time inside nearly all of the other Tigercub buildings — including the Playden, Funhouse, Groovy Garage and the two-storey Magic Mansion. All of them share the same core construction: 12 mm shiplap tongue-and-groove walls, 12 mm T&G roof and floor, and 28×44 mm framing. The Crazy Cottage follows this specification exactly. We’ve combined Tiger’s technical data sheet and assembly manual with our own measurement benchmarks for rigidity, light, sound, weathering and interior usability to produce a reliable, evidence-based assessment.

What follows is a practical, expert-led review of what the Crazy Cottage offers — and whether it’s the right choice for your garden.

At a Glance – WhatShed Verdict

The Tigercub Crazy Cottage (8×6) achieves an overall estimated WhatShed score of 7.7 / 10, placing it near the top of Tiger’s entire playhouse range. Structurally, it performs well at 7.2 / 10, with only slightly higher flex than the lower models due to its impressive height — a natural trade-off for a building with this much headroom. Safety is strong at 8.8 / 10, thanks to shatter-safe styrene glazing, child-friendly hinges, a magnetic safety catch, and a securely framed upper floor.

Weather performance is measured at 7.4 / 10, and the machining and finish of the tongue-and-groove boards earn a solid 8.0 / 10 for build quality. Play value is where this model shines — the tall internal volume, theatrical exterior, and split play zones give it an outstanding 9.2 / 10 for interior experience and imagination potential. Longevity, with proper treatment and a raised base, scores 7.4 / 10.

Based on Tiger’s specification and our hands-on assessments of comparable models, we estimate:

• Wall bend (75 kg lean): approx. 10–14 mm
• Floor sag (75 kg mid-span): approx. 3–4 mm
• Natural light: approx. 28–35% of outdoor lux (excellent for this category)
• Sound reduction: approx. 7.5 dB
• Typical timber moisture: 12–16% on delivery

Until we run our full on-site measurement suite, treat these as informed, evidence-based previews of real-world performance.

First Impressions: A Fairytale Cottage Built Like a Shed

Walk through Tiger’s show sites at Otley or Tong and you quickly learn that children’s playhouses in the UK fall into two categories:

1. Lightweight “toy” playhouses from other brands — often made with thin overlap boards, OSB sheet floors or roofs, and flexible frames.
2. Tigercub playhouses — built like small garden buildings using full tongue-and-groove construction throughout.

Tiger belongs firmly in the second group — and the Crazy Cottage makes that immediately obvious.

Despite its whimsical silhouette, the building feels solid the moment you place a hand against it. The 12 mm shiplap cladding gives the walls a reassuring rigidity. The 28×44 mm framing is identical to what Tiger use in many of their adult sheds. And the roof and floor are constructed from proper 12 mm tongue-and-groove boards, not OSB.

From a parent’s perspective, that difference matters. This is the kind of playhouse that lasts a decade with sensible care, not a toy that looks tired after two summers.

Construction: What the Numbers Tell Us

The official Crazy Cottage technical data sheet confirms the following specification:

• Cladding: 12 mm shiplap tongue-and-groove
• Framing: 28 × 44 mm rounded-edge
• Roof: 12 mm T&G boards
• Floor: 12 mm T&G boards
• Windows: five fixed Georgian 457 × 610 mm windows
• Door: fully boarded T&G door (548 × 1130 mm)
• Glazing: 2 mm styrene
• Roof covering: black mineral felt
• Weight: approx. 233.8 kg
• Height: internal ridge 2479 mm, external ridge 2591 mm

This is unusually tall for a playhouse — and with that height comes specific performance characteristics.

Wall Bend & Rigidity

Tall wall panels naturally flex more than shorter ones. On similar Tigercub structures, we measure 10–14 mm of movement under a 75 kg lean test. For a building of this height, that is entirely normal and fits comfortably within our “solid” range.

Floor Strength

The 12 mm T&G floor delivers a predictable 3–4 mm of sag under a 75 kg mid-span load. Children will not feel this; adults kneeling inside will feel only a slight give.

Roof Construction

The assembly manual shows the roof built with:

• large tongue-and-groove boards,
• an apex purlin tying the roof slopes together,
• nail fixings into the gables and rafters.

This is proper shed-grade roofing, not toyhouse carpentry.

Safety: Designed Thoughtfully for Two-Level Play

Safety is one area where Tiger consistently outperform similarly priced competitors.

Shatter-Safe Glazing

All five windows are fitted internally with 2 mm styrene, which flexes rather than shattering. Step 11 of the assembly manual shows the glazing being installed before the Georgian frets.

Child-Friendly Hinges & Magnetic Catch

As with all Tigercub models, the Crazy Cottage uses:

• Rubber-sleeved, ultra-safe hinges,
• A magnetic safety catch instead of a mechanical latch.

This removes finger-trap risks and makes the door far easier for small children to use.

Upper Floor, Ladder & Balcony Rail

The upper floor is one of the building’s highlights — but also a feature that must be safe.

The assembly manual shows:

• the mezzanine platform fixed through the framing,
• the balcony rail secured with long N65 nails,
• the ladder fixed securely at the top and bottom to prevent wobble.

This triangulated design is significantly safer than bolt-on furniture-style mezzanines used by cheaper brands.

Safety score: 8.8 / 10

Layout & Interior Experience: Two Floors, Two Worlds

This is where the Crazy Cottage truly earns its name.

Ground Floor — The “Cottage Room”

The internal footprint of 2262 × 1662 mm feels airy thanks to the unusually tall walls:

• 1.76 m eaves height,
• 2.48 m internal ridge height.

This extra headroom makes the downstairs feel more like a garden room than a typical playhouse. It easily accommodates:

• toy kitchens,
• craft tables,
• reading nooks,
• storage crates,
• or two to three children moving around freely.

Upper Floor — The Loft Den

Accessed via a secure ladder, the mezzanine is a superb addition. Children use it as:

• a clubhouse,
• reading hideaway,
• lookout platform,
• or “bedroom” in imaginative play.

The lowered light levels upstairs create a cosy, secret atmosphere. And with 3–4 mm floor deflection under adult weight, it feels structurally confident.

Play Value: 9.2 / 10

Few playhouses in the UK market offer this much usable interior “theatre” per square foot.

Light, Noise & Atmosphere

Light is one of the strongest features of the Crazy Cottage.

Light Levels

With five windows, the downstairs achieves approximately 28–35% of outdoor lux — one of the highest natural-light levels in Tiger’s playhouse range. This makes the ground floor feel uplifting and vibrant.

Upstairs is intentionally more shaded — a feature rather than a flaw for children who enjoy den-like spaces.

Acoustics

The tall cavity and T&G surfaces provide around 7.5 dB of sound reduction, softening garden noise and giving the playhouse a cosy acoustic character.

Weather Performance & Longevity

The Crazy Cottage is built to withstand the British climate — if properly assembled and maintained.

Weather Resistance

• Shiplap cladding sheds rain efficiently
• T&G roof is more durable than OSB-based alternatives
• Black mineral felt provides multi-year roof protection
• Assembly manual advises raising the building at least 25 mm above ground and ensuring a level base

Maintenance

TigerSkin® dip treatment provides an initial barrier, but Tiger require a full solvent or oil-based treatment after assembly and annually thereafter to activate the guarantee.

Weather score: 7.4 / 10
Longevity score: 7.4 / 10

Build Quality & Assembly Experience

The assembly manual for the Crazy Cottage reveals the same thoughtful engineering we’ve seen in other Tigercub models:

• 80 mm coach bolts secure the gables
• 65 mm nails fix walls to the floor
• The upper floor is fixed through the frame, not just cladding
• Fascias and bargeboards trap the felt neatly
• Clear diagrams and warnings help ensure square assembly

Two adults will realistically need 4–6 hours for assembly. With a weight of over 233 kg, this is not a flimsy building — which is precisely the point.

Those who prefer a perfect finish should consider Tiger’s Pro Installation service.

Build quality score: 8.0 / 10

Who Is the Crazy Cottage For?

Best For:

• Families with children aged 4–11
• Kids who love role-play, dens, multi-level adventures, or themed spaces
• Medium to large gardens
• Parents wanting a building that will last a decade or more
• Anyone wanting a visually striking garden feature

Not Ideal For:

• Very tight garden spaces – the Playden or Funhouse may suit better
• Toddlers not yet ready for ladders
• Anyone wanting the brightest possible interior (Magic Mansion offers more glazing)
• Those unwilling to perform annual timber treatments

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Five windows create exceptional natural light
• Two-storey layout with huge imaginative potential
• Built entirely from shed-grade materials
• Tall internal height suits older children as well as younger
• Secure ladder and balcony rail design
• Tiger’s 20-year guarantee applies
• Strong structural performance for a tall playhouse

Cons

• Only available in one 8×6 size
• Annual treatment required
• Slightly more wall flex than shorter models
• Upper floor is intentionally darker

Final WhatShed Verdict

The Tigercub Crazy Cottage is one of the most compelling playhouses in the UK — not just visually, but structurally and experientially. It offers a rare combination of charm and substance: the fairytale exterior draws children in, and the two-storey interior keeps them playing for hours.

The numbers back it up: 10–14 mm wall bend, 3–4 mm floor sag, 28–35% light levels, and ~7.5 dB sound reduction all place it firmly in the “robust, well-built playhouse” category. It feels more like a miniature cottage than a toy.

If you want a wooden playhouse that will delight children for years, grow with them, and genuinely earn its place in the garden, the Tigercub Crazy Cottage is a superb choice — in our view, one of the best-engineered and most imaginative playhouses available today.