Carl Finnell · Case study · Nether Poppleton

York stone, oak and cast iron

An ACR Rowandale 5kW multi-fuel stove in Nether Poppleton, York, on a hearth of reclaimed York stone flags with a natural oak beam above.

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The finished install: an ACR Rowandale on reclaimed York stone flags with a natural oak beam, Nether Poppleton.

The install

Reclaimed York stone and a natural oak beam

This installation features the ACR Rowandale 5kW cast iron multi-fuel stove, combining traditional craftsmanship with modern heating to create a stunning focal point in the room.

The stove sits on a beautifully crafted hearth made from reclaimed York stone flags, each precision milled to a consistent thickness for a flatter, more refined finish. The natural variation in colour and texture, and the hand-finished pitched edges, give it an authentic, time-worn charm. A natural oak beam completes the look, its timeless design complementing both the rustic York stone hearth and the classic styling of the stove.

For local stove choice, smoke-control checks and product guidance, see our guide to Wood burning stoves in York.

For the survey, flue checks, fitting sequence and certification, read how we handle wood burning stove installation in York. The reclaimed base is also covered in our guide to made to measure hearths in York.

The thinking

York stone, oak and cast iron: the classic recipe

Some material combinations never miss, and this is the definitive one for our corner of the world: a reclaimed York stone hearth, an oak beam above, and a traditional cast iron stove between them. The ACR Rowandale was made for the role, its wide panoramic window giving the biggest view of the flames in the ACR cast range, with a strong airwash keeping that view clear.

Reclaimed York stone brings something new stone cannot: a surface that has already lived a century, with the wear and tone to prove it. Set as a hearth beneath a new installation, it makes the whole fireplace read as original to the house, which is precisely the point.

The craft

What sits behind a fit like this

The sequence behind this photograph is the same certified path as every installation we complete: survey, flue brought up to standard, hearth set dead level, beam fixed at a safe clearance worked out from the stove manufacturer instructions, then commissioning and the HETAS certificate with Building Control notified. Reclaimed stone adds its own discipline, each piece is different, so the setting is bespoke by definition.

The Rowandale is a true multifuel with a proper grate, so this fireside can burn seasoned logs or authorised smokeless fuels, and its 40cm log capacity means standard-cut firewood goes straight in.

Near you

For similar homes around York

Nether Poppleton and the ring of villages around York, Upper Poppleton, Haxby, Copmanthorpe, Dunnington, are full of homes this recipe suits: village properties with the proportions for a proper hearth and beam. With York extending its smoke control rules city-wide from November 2026, it is worth knowing the Rowandale is DEFRA approved for wood burning in smoke control areas, so the classic look is fully compatible with the modern rules.

The same stove features in our Scarcroft, Leeds case study behind a restored period surround, two very different rooms, one dependable appliance.

Survey note

What the classic recipe still depends on

A hearth, oak beam and cast stove can look simple when finished, but the survey still has to prove the basics: the hearth must be correctly sized, the beam clearance must match the appliance instructions, the chimney must be suitable or lined, and the stove output must suit the room rather than the photograph. That is how the traditional look stays practical.

Questions about this kind of job

Asked and answered

What is special about a reclaimed York stone hearth?

It has already lived: decades of natural wear give it a surface and tone new stone cannot imitate, so the finished fireplace reads as original to the house. Each reclaimed piece is unique, which makes the setting a bespoke job.

Can an oak beam safely sit above a wood burning stove?

Yes, at the clearances the stove manufacturer specifies, which we work out on the survey. Where a design wants the beam closer than timber allows, the non-combustible Inglebeam gives the same look without the constraint.

Is the ACR Rowandale suitable for York’s smoke control rules?

Yes, it is DEFRA approved for wood burning in smoke control areas, which matters as York extends its rules city-wide from November 2026. We confirm what applies to your exact address on the free survey.

Do you cover the villages around York?

All of them: the Poppletons, Haxby, Copmanthorpe, Dunnington, Strensall and the rest of the ring. York and its villages are core patch, and this install is the proof.

HETAS Registration Number 2087

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.