Case study
A room with a view

Tony and Lesley Heywood’s orangery is the perfect place to enjoy movies, the stars and time with family and friends

There are many reasons to install a conservatory or orangery, but few are as unusual as the one that led Tony and Lesley Heywood to install theirs. Their gorgeous orangery came about because of the desire for a new TV.

Sports fan Tony wanted a 65-inch 3D television and there was nowhere suitable to house the old one, which at 55 inches wasn’t a lot smaller. That’s when inspiration struck and a new orangery was deemed to be the answer.

The Heywoods’ house, which was built in 1564, has been something of a labour of love. As soon as Lesley saw it, she knew it was a home for life. “I just fell in love,” she says. “It has lots of beams and fireplaces and it has an amazing feel.”

The couple have done an extraordinary amount of work since they moved in seven years ago, including building a swimming pool and office in an adjacent barn. The orangery was finished in September 2012 and is now the hub of the home. It is just off the kitchen – which has an AGA – so the two combined ensure this part of the house really is the heart of the home. The orangery has dining and sitting areas and it’s where the couple spend most of their time.

During the day Lesley – a nurse – works on her laptop, looking out over the four-acre garden. “It’s the perfect place to be,” she says, “and as there’s underfloor heating, it will be cosy in the winter. Whenever anyone comes round they comment on the garden and now it’s so easy to enjoy, even when we’re indoors, because of the views from the orangery. It’s great in the evening, too, as we relax on the sofa, watching TV and gazing up at the stars.”

Lesley describes doing up the house as a bit like working on the Forth Bridge.

“We’ve done an awful lot of work,” she says, “but there’s still some more to go. We’ve changed almost everything. The orangery has been brilliant, because it’s really changed the kitchen and has brightened up that entire side of the house. The ceilings were quite low, so it could be a bit dark. We had the AGA re-enamelled in black and new tiles laid, which look like glass.”

The couple have four children and three grandchildren and their own parents are frequent visitors. “When we have guests,” Lesley says, “the house really comes into its own. Our grandchildren haven’t been here since the orangery was finished, but they’re coming for Christmas and I know they’ll love it. I can just see my granddaughter dancing around inside!”