Specialist Chimney Sweep · Cotswolds
The chimney sweep Cotswold homes have been waiting for
From inglenook fireplaces in Burford to lined flues in Stow-on-the-Wold — unhurried, expert sweeping for period properties across the Cotswolds, from £60 per flue.
Book Your SweepEvery kind of flue in a Cotswold home
Whether you have a wide-mouthed inglenook that's been drawing smoke for three centuries or a modern lined flue behind a contemporary log burner, the approach needs to be right for the appliance and the property. Here is what we cover.
Open Fires
Traditional open fires — including wide inglenook hearths — swept thoroughly, with dust sheets and vacuum extraction to protect your rooms and rugs.
Log Burners & Stoves
Log burner flue sweeping with brush and vacuum. We check for tar and creosote build-up, which is common when wood is burned before it is fully seasoned.
Inglenook Fireplaces
The deep, wide flues of inglenook fireplaces need experienced hands. We work without rushing and without damaging the surrounding stonework.
Lined & Relined Flues
Flexible liners fitted to older stacks are swept with the correct-diameter brushes. We flag any wear or damage and can advise on inspection if needed.
Why Cotswold stone houses need a chimney sweep who knows them
A Victorian terrace in town and a seventeenth-century Cotswold farmhouse are not the same job. Older properties often have wider, irregular flues, lime-mortared stacks that need gentle handling, and histories of fuel types — coal, wood, even peat — that leave different deposits behind.
Rushing the job, forcing brushes or using the wrong equipment can dislodge old pointing or disturb lime plaster around the breast. We work at a pace that matches the property, not a schedule that matches a target number of jobs per day.
If you own a listed building or a property under a conservation area covenant, we understand the particular care that calls for — and we will tell you honestly if we spot anything that warrants a closer look.
A blocked chimney is more than an inconvenience
Jackdaws are the most frequent visitors to Cotswold chimneys, and a jackdaw nest can fill a flue completely within a single season. Other birds, debris, and even the occasional loose piece of render can create a blockage that forces smoke and carbon monoxide back into the room.
We remove bird nests and blockages safely, check the flue is clear before we leave, and fit a cowl or bird guard if you would like to prevent a repeat. Nest removal is subject to the timing of the nesting season — we will always advise on what is legal and what is practical.
Signs of a blockage: Smoke backing into the room, a poor draw on your fire, unusual smells from the fireplace, or visible debris falling into the hearth. If you notice any of these, stop using the appliance and get the flue checked before you next light a fire.
The paperwork that protects you
A sweep certificate is not just a piece of paper — it is the proof your insurer, your letting agent and your local authority may ask for. We issue one after every visit.
Home Insurance
Most home insurance policies require evidence of regular chimney sweeping. A certificate dated within the policy year is the standard proof. We issue one every time.
Landlords & Holiday Lets
Landlords and holiday let operators have a duty of care to guests and tenants. An annual sweep certificate — kept on file — demonstrates that duty has been met.
HETAS & Guild Standards
We work to the standards set by recognised bodies in the industry. If you need documentation citing a specific standard for a tenancy or insurance requirement, let us know when you book.
What does a chimney sweep cost in the Cotswolds?
We price clearly and tell you everything upfront. No call-out charges, no surprise extras for standard sweeping. More complex jobs — bird nest removal, heavily blocked flues or inspection reports — are quoted before we start.
Standard Chimney Sweep
Open fire or log burner flue. Includes full sweep, vacuum extraction and sweep certificate issued on the day.
Bird Nest & Blockage Removal
Priced on the nature and extent of the blockage. We assess and quote before work begins — no surprises.
Chimney Inspection
Visual inspection and written report. Useful before purchasing a property, after a long period without use, or following a chimney fire.
Prices are per flue and cover the standard sweep and certificate. Travel within the Cotswolds is included. Contact us for a quote on multiple flues or combined chimney-and-exterior packages for holiday lets.
How often should a chimney be swept in a period property?
The short answer: at least once a year for wood burning, and often twice. In a period property where the flue may be older, wider or less well-insulated than a modern installation, the case for twice-yearly sweeping is stronger — more heat is lost to the walls, more condensation forms, and tar builds up faster.
The table below reflects the guidance used by most insurers and sweep organisations. If you are unsure what your property or appliance needs, ask when you book — we will give you a straight answer.
| Fuel or Appliance | Recommended Frequency |
|---|---|
| Wood-burning open fire | Twice a year (quarterly if used heavily) |
| Log burner / wood-burning stove | At least once a year; twice if used all winter |
| Smokeless solid fuel | Twice a year |
| Bituminous coal | Quarterly |
| Oil-fired appliance | Once a year |
| Gas fire (open flue) | Once a year |
For more detail — including questions about period properties, insurance requirements and what to do before you first use a new log burner — see our chimney sweep FAQ page.
Local to you across the Cotswolds
We cover a wide arc of the Cotswolds and its fringes — from Cheltenham in the north to Witney in the east, and from Cirencester southward. Named towns we regularly visit include:
- Cirencester
- Burford
- Stow-on-the-Wold
- Bourton-on-the-Water
- Moreton-in-Marsh
- Chipping Norton
- Cheltenham
- Witney
- Northleach
- Tetbury
- Stroud
- Chipping Campden
Ready to book or want to ask a question?
Use the form to book a sweep or request a quote. If you would prefer to talk it through first — particularly if you have an inglenook or an unusual chimney — you are welcome to call or email directly.
Get in touch directly
We are happy to answer questions about period properties, unusual flues or combined chimney-and-exterior packages before you book.
We cover Cirencester, Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold, Moreton-in-Marsh, Bourton-on-the-Water, Chipping Norton and the wider Cotswolds.
For holiday let and landlord enquiries — including sweep certificates and exterior cleaning packages — please mention this when you write so we can give you the right information straight away.