Yoga therapist scoops beach hut of the year award

Chrissie Bond (left) was presented with her award by Love Your Hut's Alexandra Sandberg

A yoga therapist who transformed her beach hut into a sanctuary of calm has won a national award.

Chrissie Bond's orange and turquoise property in Clacton-on-Sea has been kitted out with artwork of Buddha, mandolas and the tree of life.

She spent three months converting what was a tired blue hut into her dream space for relaxation on the north-east Essex coast, naming it "Namastay".

Judges in the Love Your Hut of the Year competition said her entry was "charming and unique", and they unanimously crowned her the winner.

Ms Bond said she was delighted to have beaten entries from across the UK to the award.

She bought the seaside cabin in August 2023, finding it to be in a "pretty bad condition", but was unable to start renovation work until early 2025.

Chrissie Bond said the hut had become her sanctuary

"I grew up on the coast, spending my free time on the beach, so when I got the opportunity to buy a hut of my own, I jumped at the chance," said the yoga therapist of 20 years.

"It needed a lot of TLC, but I've created a space that's become my sanctuary and a place for my family and friends to make memories for years to come."

Since owning the property, Ms Bond has led yoga sessions there and enjoyed collecting shells, walking barefoot in the sea and hosting sunset picnics.

She became Essex's second consecutive winner of the £100 prize after Jayn Willis won with her beach hut that she rented free-of-charge to cancer patients in Walton-on-the-Naze.

Ms Bond added: "I love it. I'm really pleased. I call it my piece of artwork."

Ms Bond took ownership of the hut in August 2023...

...and converted it to look like this

James O'Hara, commercial director of LoveYourHut.com, said: "Namastay is a deserving winner, evoking the simple joy of long days spent at the beach doing whatever makes your heart happy.

"It's a perfect addition to the Clacton seafront."