Britain’s Heritage Mantel to feature in BBC’s The ABC Murders on Boxing Day

Prime Time Boxing Day TV sees the start of a new three part Hercule Poirot detective mystery called The ABC Murders. The story is based on the Agatha Christie novel of the same name, first published in the UK at the start of 1936.

Original ABC Murders Novel
Original ABC Murders Novel

This exciting, fast paced story is gripping from the start as Poirot starts to receive letters from an unknown Serial Killer calling himself ABC, soon after the first victim “Alice Ascher” and the second victim “Betty Barnard” a pattern starts to emerge.

The TV Version

The new TV Version has a star filled lineup including the Hollywood heavyweight John Malkovich starting as Poirot. Inspector Crome will be played by Rupert Grint (Harry Potter fans will know him well) as well as Andrew Buchan as Franklin Clarke, Bronwyn James as Megan, Jack Farthing as Donald Fraser , Freya Mavor as Thora Grey, Tara Fitzgerald as
Lady Hermione Clarke and Shirley Henderson as Rose Marbury.

This isn’t the first time that the ABC Murders has featured on Television in the UK, two other versions have embraced our screens including the 1965 film “The Alphabet Murders” and during the TV Series “Poirot” staring
David Suchet an episode titled “The ABC Murders” aired in 1992.

For any french speaking readers, in 2009 an episode called “Les meurtres ABC” featured in “Les Petits Meurtres d’Agatha Christie”.

John Malkovich is Poirot in tense new Agatha Christie adaptation

When is it on?

Channel: BBC One 
The first episode is Boxing Day (Wednesday 26th December 2018)
Time: 9pm

The following episodes are on at the same time Thursday 27th December and Friday 28th December.

Britain’s Heritage Surround Featured

We are extremely proud to have sold one of our Antique Wood Surrounds to Mammoth Screen for Studio 81 in Leeds UK. Mammoth Screens have produced the ABC Murders with the fireplace to be used in the one of the main rooms in Poirot’s home.

 Original Antique wood surround
Original Antique wood surround

The original antique Art Nouveau wood surround was originally purchased by ourselves from a house renovation project in Sheffield. It has an impressive over mantel and original mirror with carved decorative spindle supports.

Our restoration team restored the surround back to it’s original splendor.

We are excited to see what this stunning fireplace will look like in the show and what, if any, adaptations they may have made.

See our Fireplace Restoration Service for more details or for similar fireplaces see more Art Nouveau / Art Deco Fireplaces for sale

Antique Fireplace Restoration Leicester Heather Hall

Antique Fireplace Restoration – Part 2

Receipt of Josh`s Bedroom Cast Iron Fireplace for restoration. The fireplace surround was covered in layers of paint with missing shelf. The Insert did not match the surround opening size. The Insert was missing bars grate and damper isolation from the chimney space.

Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 1 Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 2 Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 3Bedroom Victorian Fireplace Restored.

1. Shot blast to remove paint and add a shelf to surround.

2. Weld on an extension piece to match the surround opening.

3. Add bars with log holders and an ash cover.

4. Add a Chimney damper plate to isolate the chimney closed. (This fireplace is for decorative)

5. finally apply a Rust Inhibitor coating and finish in an antique black using grate polish. Read more

Antique Victorian Fireplace Restoration Bedroom UK Cast Iron Project Leicester - 4


Restored Master Bedroom Cast Iron Victorian Fireplace.

1. Shot Blast to Remove paint

2. Weld fireplace together and apply high strength joint compound sanding to match together.

3. Fit ash cover and fabricate a metal back ready made to cradle a Bio Ethanol high spec fire.

4. Apply a rust inhibitor and finish in an antique finish using grate polish.

5. Remote Control Fire Efficiency at 100% – Hand Held Remote Control – Output: 2 700 W (9 000 BTU) – Capacity of the tank: 2,25 L (0,6 Gal) – Consumption: 0,4 liter/hour (0,11 Gal/hour) – CO² detector – Combustion block heat detector – Safety bin heat detector – Burner levels detector – Fuel tank high and low levels detectors, with visual and audible alarms on the LCD screen – Accelerometer (seismic and tilt detector)

Master Sitting Room Cast Iron Fireplace for restoration. The fireplace was covered in layers of paint with missing shelf and damaged fire back. It was also missing an ash cover

Restored Will`s Bedroom Cast Iron Restored Victorian Fireplace. 1. Cut top of fireplace to even the broken cast piece. weld corner to match. Grind and fit shelf. 2. Shot blast to remove paint. 3. Add bar set and ash cover. Fit a fabricated metal fire back isolated against chimney (use is decorative). 4. Apply a rust inhibitor coating and finish in an Antique traditional black using grate polish.

Antique Fireplace Restoration Services UK Nationwide

UK specialists in fully restoring antique fireplaces, sales of antique and reproduction fireplaces and stoves. Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

Antique Fireplaces – Reproduction Styles

Antique Fireplace Designs With A Modern Twist

When it comes to modern fireplace design, a lot of people are selecting options that give the look and ambience of a standard log fire, but with the added convenience of being gas fired. Of course, this isn’t going to be a suitable solution for everybody, as rural locations are often without a gas connection, but for anybody living in a more urban setting, a gas fire is a terrific idea.

Gas Fireplaces and Mantel Surrounds

All the gorgeous good looks of a working fireplace, but with none of the mess. What could be better or more modern? Nothing, when natural slate trims and a slimline mantle is included to finish the whole installation. Our Slate Surrounds are a great example of how homely yet contemporary a fireplace can look.
Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

Fireplace Restoration UK Nationwide

Do you already own an antique fireplace and want to breathe new life into it? You may already have a room in mind that you would like to to feature.

Britain’s Heritage are renowned experts at restoring and repairing fireplaces and aga cookers, our door to door service means that even if you aren’t local to us in Leicester we can arrange to pick up your fireplace and carry out the restoration and respraying in our workshops and deliver it right back to your doorstep.

Send a message via our Contact Form or call our highly experienced team for free advice on 0116 251 9592.

Contemporary Fireplace Ideas


When an extremely contemporary fireplace design is the only thing that will do, flush-fitting inset options are absolutely the way to go and because they look so incredibly beautiful, they are often mounted in such a way as to replace a television as well. We certainly don’t think there’s a TV programme that can compete with the good looks of a style such as this one!

In terms of fireplace ideas, modern inset boxes are really rising in popularity right now and though they will incur specialist fitting fees, they are more than worth the investment. Negating nothing in the way of heating potential, while creating an absolutely incredible focal point, these long, lean and dramatic designs are adaptable enough to work in a new build home or even a rustic property that could use a little updating.

Original Edwardian Cast Iron Fireplaces with Tiles

Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged

Any modern living room with fireplace potential can be brought to life and warmed up no end, even if the space seems a little awkward or weirdly shaped. A great example of original an Edwardian fireplace will be the centre of attention in the room. This example features original green and white tiles.

So many people seem to be labouring under the misconception that to have a fireplace, a proper hearth and central position is needed, however even the most unusual walls and rooms can be made to accommodate a terrific statement fireplace such as this.

Luxury Fireplace Mantels Antique Reproductions

marble Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

Fireplace mantels are a fantastically traditional motif that heritage homes love to showcase but they are in no way mandatory! Here, we see a Georgian period  marble contemporary fireplace, the overarching sense of luxury and showmanship isn’t lost at all, thanks to a decadent marble surround being included.

Fitting flush to the wall, the marble here adds in a sense of traditional glamour and really frames the fire itself, just without a shelf for displaying trinkets and accessories. By using a small coffee table as a display stand instead, the fireplace itself has been kept simple and sleek, which allows the functionality to shine through. We feel warmer just looking at it, so who actually needs a mantle these days?

Rustic Meets Modern Fire Baskets

Fire Basket Antique fireplaces fireplace restoration victorian aga repair edwardian damaged UK

No rustic or country home is complete without a gorgeous fireplace, but that doesn’t have to mean that a dirty hearth and messy grate have to be tolerated. Modern Fire Basket designs are absolutely mastering the art of combining effective heating with stylish aesthetics and, as an extra touch of genius, can even be likened to hearty woodburner styling too.

This amazing fireplace has all the charm of a woodburner but has been finished in such a way as to offer a contemporary feel that really livens up what looks to be a lovely country property. Set into a dedicated chimney breast, this steel or brass basket creates such a neat and ordered aesthetic but still manages to be the cosy heart of the home. Contemporary meets rustic; who knew that such a thing could exist and work so well?

Antique Room Accessories Of Interest

While the installation here is not a fireplace per se, adding an original wall light fitting does give a good idea of how stylishrooms can be elavated with accessories.

Things have come a long way since old fashioned designs, but sometimes only the original retro feel of a Georgian, Edwardian or Victorian fire surround, brass lamps or grate will do.

Check out our Antique Special Offers here

Brass lamp pretro vintage antique

All images copyright Britains Heritage 2018.