Home is where the hearth is: Feature fireplaces are essential this winter
As British Summer Time officially comes to an end this Saturday night, our thoughts naturally turn to winter.
It is that time of the year when the leaves turn from golden to brown, soon forming great piles on the ground perfect for kids to play in. Conkers are in abundance, quickly becoming a feature in every school playground and sweet chestnuts, apples, rose hips and fungi are there for the taking by any adventurous foragers.
The shops are full of ghostly Halloween outfits, Christmas baubles have crept onto the shelves and mincemeat and marzipan are on the shopping list once again. At home, the menu has changed. The BBQ has been cleaned and put away for winter; salads have been replaced with stews and mulled wine becomes the top tipple. The 2014 calendar has arrived and thoughts have turned to Christmas – whose turn is it to host? Should we have a goose or turkey? What to buy Uncle Harry this year?!
Indeed Father Christmas and his elves might be becoming rather frantic but there is one other industry that sees a huge upturn in demand at this time of the year. For if you are one of the lucky households in the UK that has a real fire you will need to sweep it now.
The National Association of Chimney Sweeps reports that business has increased 40% over the past couple of years with much of this increase being as a direct result of the rise in popularity of wood burning stoves.
And what a delicious end to a hard day – to tuck yourself up on the sofa and watch the flames flicker up the chimney. A quintessentially British pastime of lighting fires and toasting bread or cooking your foraged chestnuts sets the perfect winter scene.
Are you looking for a house that has a fireplace of your dreams? Consider one of these stunning homes on the market today through leading online estate agent, My Online Estate Agent, which all feature a real fireplace:
Henley Road, Haslemere, Surrey £685,000
The picturesque rural hamlet of Henley is set in the heart of the South Downs National Park, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, on the Surrey/West Sussex border. Henley is surrounded by woodland and many miles of quiet footpaths and bridleways.
A lovely 4 bedroom 2 bathroom detached period cottage has been renovated and extended by its present owners to create a unique reverse level home, the property has under floor heating and double glazing throughout. The original part of the house is thought to be around 300 years old and retains a great deal of its original charm. The house sits in a wonderful elevated position with stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
Bwlch-Cae-Haidd, Bwlch-y-ffridd, Powys, Wales £325,000
An immaculately presented and modernised 16th century character farmhouse with 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. Set in approximately 2.5 acres of beautiful grounds including a paddock, large workshop and studio with veranda overlooking the pond. The property also benefits from a large workshop, greenhouse and shed.
Geers Farm,Heathfield, Sussex £640,000
An excellent well-positioned detached 5 bedroom period house oozing with character. Parts of the house date back to 1450 when it owned all the land in the vicinity surrounded by woodland and wheat fields. A magnificent drawing room with stable door to garden and sun terrace, heavily timbered and with fine large inglenook fireplace, bressumer beam and raised brick hearth and with French doors opening directly onto the large patio.
Muirton House, Belhelvie, Scotland £675,000
Muirton House is just a short commute from the Aberdeen centre yet offers country living with stunning rural views. The house has been extensively refurbished in recent years to a high standard to meet modern day needs, yet retains many original features. With 6 large bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, separate cloak room, 3 reception rooms and 2 kitchens the property offers versatile, spacious accommodation over four floors.
Rural views may be enjoyed from the property which stands in extensive grounds of 3.6 acres including a walled garden, woodland, paddock and outbuildings.
For more information please contact My Online Estate Agent on 0845 257 1101 or visit My Online Estate Agent.