The Wheatsheaf Orangery: A Contemporary Addition to a Historic Pub
Following an initial soft-launch phase, The Wheatsheaf is now fully open, welcoming guests to experience the warm, relaxed yet refined ambience, and allowing us to showcase the design choices and craftsmanship behind one of the project’s defining features: the new orangery dining space.
Working alongside the Artisan Innkeepers Group, HPA Architects were appointed to create additional restaurant accommodation for this Grade II listed pub in the heart of Chilton Foliat Conservation Area. The challenge was not simply to create more covers, but to do so in a way that respected the character, history and prominence of the historic building.
From the outset, the design philosophy was simple. Any new addition should support the future success of The Wheatsheaf while ensuring the historic pub remained the focal point of the site. The orangery was therefore intentionally designed as a contemporary intervention using traditional materials that sits comfortably alongside the listed building rather than competing with it.
Careful consideration was given to scale, massing and positioning. The new dining space is set back from the original structure and contained within the existing built form of the site, avoiding unnecessary prominence within the conservation area. Its height was deliberately kept as low as possible, ensuring views of the historic pub remain uninterrupted and allowing the original building to continue to dominate the setting.
A Celebration of Oak and Glass
Central to the scheme is a beautifully crafted oak structure that brings warmth, texture and authenticity to the new space. The use of high-quality traditional oak reflects a long-established building material while providing a contemporary expression suited to modern hospitality.
Expanses of glazing were equally important to the design. Rather than creating a visual barrier between old and new, the transparent structure allows the historic fabric of The Wheatsheaf to remain visible both from within the restaurant and from the surrounding garden spaces. This approach helps visitors experience the original building in a new way, with the listed pub forming an integral backdrop to the dining experience.
Inspired by Local Vernacular
Material selection was guided by the character of Chilton Foliat and the existing evolution of The Wheatsheaf itself. Horizontal timber cladding was chosen to complement the pub’s existing timber-clad extensions and to reflect examples found within the surrounding village. The natural appearance of the timber helps create a gentle transition between the built form and the surrounding landscape, reinforcing the rural character that makes The Wheatsheaf such a distinctive destination.
The result is an extension that feels entirely at home within its setting. Contemporary in its detailing yet respectful of its context, the orangery draws on local materials and familiar forms while remaining clearly identifiable as a modern addition.
Seeing the Vision Realised
Natural light floods the dining space, highlighting the craftsmanship of the oak frame and creating a strong visual connection between the interior, the surrounding gardens and the historic pub beyond.
The Wheatsheaf project exemplifies how carefully considered contemporary architecture can support the long-term future of heritage buildings. By balancing conservation with commercial viability, The Wheatsheaf’s new orangery provides a welcoming space for guests while ensuring that this much-loved village pub continues to thrive for years to come.
Gallery of images courtesy of Artisan Inn Keepers / The Wheatsheaf
The Wheatsheaf, Chilton Foliat
