Your guide to choosing and restoring the perfect period fireplace in your area
If you live in Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, or London and you love period homes, there’s a good chance your property either already has a cast iron fireplace — or you want to bring one back to life. Restored fireplaces have become incredibly popular for Victorian, Edwardian, and early-20th-century properties, adding character, value, and warmth (figuratively and literally).
At Old Fire New Flame, based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, we specialise exclusively in restoring and selling genuine cast iron fireplaces. We provide beautifully restored, carefully sourced originals ready for your home.
This guide brings together everything homeowners across your region need to know, including what we restore, what to look for, and why period fireplaces are such a powerful feature in homes across the South East.
Why Restored Cast Iron Fireplaces Are So Popular in the South East
Many areas across Sussex, Surrey, Kent, Hampshire, and London contain older Victorian or Edwardian properties. These homes were originally built with cast iron bedroom fireplaces, tiled living room fireplaces, decorative surrounds, and in some cases larger statement pieces in dining rooms or parlours.
Over the years, many were removed, bricked over, painted shut, or became heavily rusted. Restoring them to their original beauty transforms a room instantly.
Homeowners choose restored cast iron fireplaces because they:
- Add authentic period charm
- Increase property value
- Restore original features buyers love
- Last for decades when properly restored
- Look stunning in both traditional and modern interiors
Whether you live in Brighton, Lewes, Tunbridge Wells, Guildford, Portsmouth, or London, a restored fireplace makes an instant impact.
Our Restoration Process (And Why It Matters in Your Region)
Every fireplace we sell has gone through a complete restoration process including:
- Stripping paint layers
- Removing rust
- Replacing missing parts
- Blacking, polishing, and finishing
- Tile cleaning or replacing damaged tiles with period-correct options
Because many fireplaces across the South East are 100+ years old, proper restoration is essential. We only sell fireplaces that meet our standards and are structurally sound, visually authentic, and ready to be installed.
Areas We Serve Across the South East
Eastbourne & East Sussex
Eastbourne, Lewes, Brighton & Hove, Bexhill, Hastings, and surrounding areas are full of Victorian and Edwardian properties. Terraced homes, seafront houses, and even modern homes benefit from a restored fireplace as a central feature.
West Sussex
Worthing, Chichester, Littlehampton, Horsham, and Crawley all have large estates built between the 1880s and 1930s. Many of these properties originally had tiled inserts or cast iron bedroom fireplaces that were removed during the 1960s–90s.
Restored fireplaces bring instant character back to these homes.
Surrey
Guildford, Woking, Epsom, Godalming, Farnham and surrounding towns are known for period properties with well-proportioned chimneys and fireplaces.
Surrey homeowners often seek more ornate Victorian pieces or elegant Edwardian styles to complement larger rooms.
Kent
Tunbridge Wells, Sevenoaks, Maidstone, Ashford, Canterbury, and coastal towns like Deal and Dover feature a huge number of Victorian terraces and Edwardian villas.
Kent buyers often look for fireplaces suited to bay-fronted sitting rooms, tiled hearths, and decorative cast iron inserts.
Hampshire
Winchester, Portsmouth, Southampton, Basingstoke, Petersfield, and surrounding areas are filled with character homes where fireplaces are a selling point.
Restored pieces suit both modern renovations and older homes needing original charm.
London
London has the highest concentration of Victorian and Edwardian properties in the UK — especially in areas like Hackney, Camden, Islington, Richmond, Clapham, Wimbledon, and Haringey.
Restored fireplaces are in high demand here for renovations, conversions, and period-correct refits.
How to Choose the Right Cast Iron Fireplace for Your Home
Wherever you live, here’s how to select the right piece:
1. Match the Period
- Victorian → ornate, decorative
- Edwardian → elegant, simpler detailing
- Georgian → symmetrical, classical
- Art Deco → bold geometric shapes
2. Measure Carefully
Measure:
- Breast width
- Height
- Opening size
- Hearth space
- Surround requirements
3. Choose Tiles (If Applicable)
Homes in Brighton, Tunbridge Wells, and North London often suit colourful Art Nouveau tiles.
More subtle colours suit Surrey and Hampshire interiors.
4. Consider the Room
Bedrooms → smaller cast iron fireplaces
Living rooms → tiled inserts or larger pieces
Dining rooms → statement fireplaces
Why Buy a Restored Fireplace Instead of a New Replica?
Because original cast iron fireplaces were built for life.
They’re heavier, detailed, more characterful, and hold heat differently from modern pressed-metal replicas.
Restored originals are:
- More durable
- More desirable
- More valuable in period homes
- More historically accurate
A restored fireplace actually increases your home’s desirability and resale value — especially in places like London, Brighton, Surrey, and Tunbridge Wells.
Delivery Across All Service Areas
We can deliver across:
- East Sussex
- West Sussex
- Surrey
- Kent
Courier services can be arranged for nationwide delivery. Check out our Couriers page for more information.