Case study

Durham limestone around an ACR Oakdale stove

A Pocklington fireplace renovation with a honed Durham natural limestone surround, Whitby Blend Multi Rustica brick chamber, Antique Leather granite hearth and ACR Oakdale 5kW cast iron multifuel stove.

Talk to us about your project Stoves in Pocklington

ApplianceACR Oakdale 5kW multifuel stove

LocationPocklington, East Riding

SurroundDurham natural Semirijio limestone

HearthAntique Leather granite, raised and lipped

The room

A lighter stone fireplace with real stove depth

The client wanted a traditional focal point that still felt clean and calm in the room. The Durham fireplace suited that setting because it is cut from natural Semirijio limestone with a honed finish, soft fossil markings and gentle tonal variation. The deep concave opening pulls the eye toward the firebox without making the surround feel heavy.

We paired the limestone with Whitby Blend Multi Rustica handmade-style slim brick slips in the chamber. The brick gives the black stove a warmer backdrop and creates a clear contrast against the neutral stone. A matching limestone chamber was also possible, but the brick-lined finish gave this room more texture.

Preparation

Opening up, lining and making it safe

Before installation, the chimney was professionally swept and inspected to remove soot, nests and debris. We then removed the existing timber surround. The redundant gas supply was capped and sealed by a Gas Safe registered engineer before the solid-fuel work continued.

A new opening of approximately 1000mm wide by 1000mm high by 400mm deep was formed, with a reinforced concrete lintel installed above. The flue was completed with a British-manufactured twin-wall stainless flexible liner and an anti-downdraught cowl to help keep rain, birds and wind out while supporting consistent draw.

The Antique Leather granite hearth was made in two parts: a 1000mm by 400mm chamber hearth and a 1400mm by 350mm by 60mm raised front hearth with a boxed and lipped profile. That finish is practical around ash and everyday stove use, especially where the hearth meets carpet or timber flooring.

The stove

ACR Oakdale cast iron performance

The ACR Oakdale is a 5kW cast iron multifuel stove with a traditional shape and a wide flame view. It is DEFRA approved, Ecodesign 2022 ready and backed by ACR's 10-year casting warranty when bought through an authorised dealer.

At handover, the stove was installed with a carbon monoxide alarm, fully commissioned, safety checked and demonstrated to the homeowner. The finished fireplace gives the room a proper working fire with natural stone, brick and granite all doing a clear job.

ACR Oakdale cast iron stove.

Semirijio natural limestone.

Whitby Blend chamber slips.

The thinking

A calm surround with a practical chamber

The Durham surround works because it lets the fire do the heavy lifting. Semirijio limestone is pale and quiet enough for a lived-in room, while the deep concave opening gives the stove chamber proper depth. The Whitby Blend brick chamber then adds the texture the smooth limestone needs.

This is a good Pocklington example of a full fireplace package rather than a stove swap: surround, chamber, hearth, liner, cowl, stove and carbon monoxide alarm all considered together. The old timber surround and redundant gas supply had to be dealt with before the new solid-fuel fireplace could be made safe.

The craft

Why the hearth detail matters

The two-part Antique Leather granite hearth is more than a finishing touch. The chamber hearth gives the stove a durable non-combustible base inside the opening, while the raised front hearth gives a crisp, protected edge into the room. Its textured finish is forgiving around ash and regular use.

For similar homes around Pocklington and the Wolds edge, the useful question is often how the new hearth meets the existing floor. This lipped profile is especially helpful where carpet or timber flooring needs a neat, durable junction.

Related proof

A different stone fireplace approach

If you like the natural-stone part of this job, compare it with the bespoke gritstone surround in Knaresborough. Both are stone-led fireplace projects, but the Pocklington job is calmer and lighter, while the Knaresborough surround is more architectural.

Questions about this kind of job

Asked and answered

Why was a Gas Safe engineer involved before this Pocklington stove install?

The old fireplace had a redundant gas supply. That was capped and sealed by a Gas Safe registered engineer before the solid-fuel installation continued, which keeps the responsibilities clear and the job compliant.

What does a deep concave limestone opening add to the fireplace?

It gives the surround more depth and naturally draws the eye toward the stove chamber. On this Durham fireplace it stops the pale limestone from feeling flat around the black cast iron stove.

Why choose Whitby Blend brick slips behind the ACR Oakdale?

The brick slips bring warmth and handmade-style texture behind the stove, giving a stronger contrast with the pale Semirijio limestone. A matching limestone chamber was possible, but the brick gave this room more character.

Can you install a similar limestone fireplace around Pocklington?

Yes. Pocklington and the Wolds villages are within the area we cover, and this project shows the full route: sweep, open up, line the chimney, form the chamber, set the hearth and commission the stove.

HETAS registered

Installed with care, certified with confidence

Carl self-certifies every installation and notifies Building Control on your behalf, so the work is signed off properly and your certificate of compliance is issued for your records.