A South African colleague of mine recently commented that one of the things that struck her most when she moved to the UK was the abundance of chimneys dominating the skyline. Not being something that hot and sunny South Africa has much need for, it was something she wasn’t used to seeing – but something so familiar to us here that we barely notice them.

Apparently the first chimneys appeared some time in the 13th century, following on from the rather rudimentary hole-in-the-ceiling method used previously. But of course, it is the Victorian age and the Industrial Revolution that we really have to thank for the quantity and variety of chimneys we have today.

We’ve decided it’s about time we celebrate our distinctive skylines – not least because it’s almost Christmas, and without chimneys how would jolly old St Nick make his grand entrance year after year?

So here’s a round-up of houses on the market with some of the most impressive chimneys we can find. Enjoy!

Buckinghamshire £2,000,000
Believed to be the only remaining example of a Christopher Wren house to have been built outside London, Winslow Hall was constructed using over one million bricks and was built around a central spine of four chimneys.

Middlesex £1,190,000
This Edwardian thatched home looks to be all about the chimney. On the inside, it leads to an open fire with log burner and oak beamed chimney breast. There’s also a secret door on the first floor, leading to a ‘captain’s cabin’, reclaimed from a ship dating from the 17th century.

Cambridgeshire £1,500,000
Red-brick manor house Toseland Hall is Grade II* listed and dates from the early 17th Century. The design of the house is dominated by the massive, ornate, shafted chimneys.

 Newcastle £1,995,000
The chimney stacks of this 19th-century former school tower above the neighbouring properties. Over the last three years the house has been restored to its former glory as a private family home.

London £1,250,000
This converted fish-smoking warehouse comes with this original smokehouse chimney – and chimneys don’t come much bigger than this! Father Christmas should have no trouble squeezing down there, no matter how many mince pies he’s had.

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