Heating and Plumbing for Heritage and Country Estates
Trusted heating & plumbing specialists for listed properties and period homes.
Older properties are full of character, but they often come with complex heating and plumbing needs.
Whether you manage a country estate, own a Grade II listed building, or are responsible for a heritage site open to the public, upgrading or maintaining essential systems takes care and experience.
At North Oxfordshire Heating, we have worked on rural estates, converted barns, manor houses, trust-managed buildings and private residences across the Thames Valley.
We understand how to work sensitively in historic environments, upgrading performance while preserving original features and avoiding unnecessary disruption.
A careful approach to complex, historic systems
Heating and plumbing in older buildings often tell a story.
Systems are added over decades, routed around structural quirks, and rarely match the simplicity of modern builds. Boilers may be outdated or oversized. Radiators might be placed where aesthetics once mattered more than efficiency. Water pressure could vary from room to room.
We take time to understand how the building is constructed and used day to day. In listed buildings, that often means working with conservation officers, planning departments or estate managers to ensure everything is compliant and in keeping with the character of the property.
We never recommend unnecessary replacement. If a system or component is still safe and functional, we will aim to work with it. But where improvement is needed, we provide practical solutions that increase reliability and performance without damaging what makes the building special.
Heating solutions built around the building, not against it
Modern heating systems do not always suit heritage properties, and forcing them in rarely ends well.
Our goal is always to improve comfort and efficiency without compromising structure, heritage or budget.
In some properties, this might mean relocating a boiler to improve access and ventilation. In others, we may recommend upgrading certain radiators, balancing existing systems, improving insulation around pipe runs in cellars or lofts, or zoning the system to match how different parts of the building are actually used.
We work with the quirks of the property, not against them, designing systems that provide better warmth, more control and improved running costs, all while staying true to the setting.
Plumbing systems that just work, quietly and reliably
Many historic and rural buildings suffer from unreliable plumbing.
That might mean slow drainage, low water pressure in bathrooms, awkwardly routed pipework or inconsistent hot water across floors and wings.
We modernise plumbing systems with minimal disruption, preserving decorative finishes and working discreetly in occupied homes, open estates or visitor venues. Our team identifies where upgrades will make the biggest difference and carries out the work using methods that avoid unnecessary damage or visibility.
Whether you are dealing with hard-to-find leaks, badly insulated pipework, poorly functioning bathrooms or kitchen water supply issues, we will put it right and keep it running smoothly.
Hot water and compliance, handled together
We support a wide range of hot water systems, including vented and unvented cylinders, direct water heaters and older setups unique to rural or off-grid properties. Our focus is always on performance and reliability, with minimal visual impact.
Where compliance is required, especially in publicly accessed buildings, we can handle testing, documentation and servicing to ensure all systems meet regulatory standards. That includes gas appliance servicing, thermostatic mixing valve testing, temperature control for guest and visitor safety, and support with legionella risk management through trusted partners.
All works are documented properly, ready for estate files, inspections or ongoing maintenance schedules.
Who we work with and why they stay with us
We support a broad range of clients across Oxfordshire, Northamptonshire, Warwickshire and the surrounding counties. These include:
Private owners of country homes and listed buildings
Estate managers and rural property consultants
Trusts and charities responsible for heritage properties
Developers working on barn conversions or rural refurbishments
Maintenance teams managing open house sites or rental wings
Clients choose us because we do not treat heritage buildings like modern ones. We listen, plan carefully and carry out work with the respect these properties deserve. Our engineers are Gas Safe registered, DBS checked, and experienced in working discreetly and cleanly in sensitive settings.
Many of the heritage clients we work with stay with us for years. We provide clear, practical advice, carry out work to a high standard, and return when you need us again. Whether it is pre-winter checks, planned upgrades or solving recurring issues, you will know who to call and what to expect.
Contact Us
Book a visit or request a quote
If your heritage or rural property needs reliable, sensitive heating and plumbing support, we would be happy to help.