The heart of the home: five retreats warmed by Agas

As the air begins to chill and cravings of warming stews mean it's time to dust off the winter recipe books, an Aga is a perfect accompaniment to any style home: modern, rustic or country chic. Whether you're looking to add some warmth to your abode this season or are planning to hibernate in one of ours, we round up five Unique Homestays where, with the help of these Agas, the kitchen really is the heart of the home. 

Winterfell

There's no feeling better than retreating to an Aga-warmed kitchen after a rosy-cheeked walk up Windermere's peaks. This luxury country house kitchen in the Lake District takes inspiration from the surrounding white-capped mountains where an Aga, rustic breakfast table and kitchen essentials all fit the snow-white brief. 

In Clover

The owners of this Cotswolds cottage added a splash of colour with their choice of a royal blue Aga: the perfect contrast to mustard yellow accents. On a chilly winter's evening, gather around the table for dinner with the family while the fruit crumble, with freshly picked ingredients from the orchard, warms in the Aga beside you. 

The Tapestry

A cornflower blue kitchen may not be a common colour choice for many but this hue is as tranquil as the setting of this Oxfordshire farmhouse and sets the tone for a relaxing family break. In-keeping with the colour theme, the large double Aga is just as loved for slow-cooked culinary delights as it is to heat the kitchen.  

Little Red Lock

This clotted-cream coloured Aga is just one of the quintessentially English features guests can expect to find at this canal-side retreat. After kayaking and a dip in the hot tub, the perfect evening at Little Red Lock consists of aperitifs in the lounge with views of the water while the dinner warms in the Aga. 

Kilnwood

A jet black Aga contrasts with the otherwise bright open-plan kitchen-diner in this Somerset country house. With the owners being a family of seven, this kitchen was designed for large groups to gather for long suppers, whether that is prepared as a family or by a private chef.