Timber carriage houses are a traditional open-barn style of garage, originally used to house carts and carriages. Often called a cart lodge or car barn, each bay can be open or easily enclosed, creating a secure garage, workshop or store space.
The ideal type of garage for country or heritage settings, the carriage house or car barn is supremely flexible and easily adapted to your specific requirements. From building somewhere to park your car to creating a home office or gym, the carriage house offers a sustainable solution.
Often called a cart lodge or a car barn, a carriage house is much like a wooden garage but built in a more traditional style (our guide to choosing a garage, carriage house, carport or workshop explains the differences). The parking bays are usually left open to the front and enclosed to the sides and rear, featuring our characteristic curved bracing, which is available in pressure-treated softwood. If you are looking for an oak framed barn or garage, consider our Chester carriage house: the front uprights, supports and curved bracing are made from slow grown oak, whilst the main structure is constructed from faster growing pressure treated timber. Embracing the oak look where it is seen, but using sustainably sourced and pressure treated softwood elsewhere, helps balance cost and environmental considerations.
If you would like enclosed bays, we can install a pair of timber doors or even a flush or recessed timber frontage with a door and window to create a workshop or studio. Equally, you can choose any combination of enclosed or open bays, as well as additional doors and windows to the side or rear, internal partitions, ply lining and even a log store to the side.
We build our carriage houses to order, so whether you need just a one bay carriage house, two bay carriage house, triple bay or a range of bays, we can accommodate any size and configuration. Equally, we can extend the depth and add a catslide roof to create a workshop space at the rear of the bays.
Choose from either shiplap or weatherboard external cladding and select your preferred roofing material to match your home or fulfil any planning requirements.
Our experienced team can help with the design, provide both base plans and elevated drawings needed for planning, and we manufacture, deliver and install nationwide (or you can choose a DIY kit).
As a domestic outbuilding, a carriage house may be covered under permitted development rights, depending on its size and siting and on your local planning rules. We can provide base plans and elevation drawings to support a planning application where one is needed – see our guide to whether garages need planning consent – and you can choose a roofing material to help fulfil any planning requirements. Always check with your local planning department before you build.
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Our timber carriage houses are available in two ranges which feature slightly different specifications. We have summarised the differences below but if you need any help, please get in touch with our team.
Made from pressure treated timber the Chart range of carriage houses offers nearly unlimited options including parking bays, closed garaging, home offices and garden equipment storage. High-quality sustainably sourced certified timber and Onduline roof will help to make sure the barn has a long life span.
With a raised ridge height and increased pitch the Chester carriage house is a stand out barn which can also be specified to accept clay or slate tiles (with optional 35° pitch). Adding in an optional upgrade to oak support posts, headers and bracing at the front completes this timeless barn which is at home in country settings. Robustly built to stand the test of time.
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What is a carriage house in the UK?
A carriage house is a traditional open-barn style of garage, originally used to house carts and carriages. Each bay can be left open or enclosed to create a secure garage, workshop or store. It is also known as a cart lodge or car barn and is a popular choice for country and heritage settings.
What is the difference between a carriage house, a cart lodge and a car barn?
These are different names for the same style of traditional, open-fronted timber building. “Cart lodge” and “car barn” are regional terms for what we call a carriage house – a barn-style garage with open or enclosed bays.
What is the difference between a carriage house and a wooden garage?
A carriage house is much like a wooden garage but built in a more traditional, open-barn style, with bays usually left open to the front and our characteristic curved bracing. A standard wooden garage is typically fully enclosed with doors. A carriage house can also be enclosed if you prefer.
Can I have an oak framed carriage house?
Yes. Our Chester carriage house uses slow grown oak for the front uprights, supports and curved bracing, with the main structure built from sustainably sourced, pressure treated softwood. This puts the oak where it is seen while balancing cost and environmental considerations.
How much does a carriage house cost?
Each carriage house is handcrafted to order, so the price depends on the number of bays, whether they are open or enclosed, the cladding and roofing, and whether you choose softwood or oak framing. You can build your own specification online for a tailored quote, or see the pricing examples on this page.
Do carriage houses need planning permission?
As an outbuilding, a carriage house may be covered under permitted development rights, depending on its size and siting and on local rules. We can supply base plans and elevation drawings to support an application where one is needed. Always check with your local planning department before you build.
Can a carriage house be used as a workshop or home office?
Yes. Bays can be enclosed with timber doors, or a flush or recessed frontage with a door and window, to create a workshop or studio. You can also add internal partitions, ply lining and windows, making a carriage house a flexible space for a home office, gym or hobby room.
Each carriage house is handcrafted to order, so the price depends on the number of bays, whether bays are open or enclosed, the cladding, roofing and whether you choose softwood or oak framing. You can build your own specification online for a tailored quote, and indicative prices for popular sizes are shown in the pricing examples below.
