Homebase, but a long time ago!

Ditto, like over 20 years ago too!

Thanks guys. The ones they do now are a bit flimsey and not very sturdy- at least the ones on-line. Will look in store but our nearest Homebase is in Telford now!

I never bought one - I had a really old fashioned wooden kitchen wall cupboard that was wedgeshaped with sliding glass doors, and when I took it down, I used it flat on the ground as a cold frame for a few years. It was much narrower at the front than at the back, and the glass doors could be left open - perfect!

Dunno if you found Primrose, link below, they have a good range, though they seem to call them cold frame greenhouses!

http://www.primrose.co.uk/cold-frame-greenhouses-c-696_3595_2270.html?src=pla_prod_header-c2

Got our first one (aluminium frame) from a DIY store opposite John Lennon Airport, name of the store? Texas, bet they do not exist any more.
If you are close to one, Charlies in various Shropshire towns would be a good place to look.

I took the plunge and bought one with aluminium frame and polycarbonate glazing earlier this year. So far i have been very pleased with it.

Thanks everyone. Did go to Charlies but they only sold plastic ones. I do like the ones on Primrose, has anyone ever ordered from them?

Nope, sorry - but the FEEFO reviews are pretty good. I'd risk it myself...

Thanks Bamboo.

Bamboo -need to pick your brains!! Are there any do or don't regarding polycarbonate panels in cold frames? Are they more or less effective than glass? Have seen a couple on Primrose but not sure whether to go for solid wood base or a lighter version with polycarbonate panels held together by a wooden frame? Help!

Twin wall polycarbonate panels are better than single wall and better than glass - they allow fractionally less light in, but the light gets diffused all over because of the twin wall. Also warmer than glass, you might be interested to read the article in the link below, though it deals with greenhouses as well as cold frames

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/gardening/gardeningequipment/6537880/Greenhouses-why-polycarbonate-beats-glass.html

As for the frame, any wooden parts will, over time, rot if not treated regularly, so its just a question of deciding how much wood you want to treat on a regular basis.

Thanks for that Bamboo. You're a source of knowledge! I have ordered a cold frame from Primrose to overwinter my aquilegia, digitalis, lupin and lavender seedlings. Job done!