Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS: Too Hot to Handle?

Bring warmth, style, and eco-friendly comfort into your home with the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS – a compact stove built for modern living.

January 16, 2025
By Reece Toscani
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Stove Spotlights

First Impressions: What Does the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS Look Like?

When it comes to combining understated design with cutting-edge clean-burn performance, the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS woodburner stands out as a stove that refuses to compromise. This model isn’t just a heater—it’s a carefully designed piece of functional furniture that looks as good as it performs. Whether you’re fitting it neatly into a fireplace chamber or showcasing it as a freestanding centrepiece with its logstore base, the Sanctuary 5WS brings style, practicality and exceptional eco credentials into your home.

At first glance, the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS is defined by its clean, contemporary lines. Unlike some stoves that shout for attention, this model whispers sophistication. Its square, minimalist firebox is framed by simple edges that allow the flames inside to take centre stage. The wide glass window delivers a commanding view of the fire, creating a warm focal point for any room.

In its standard short-leg version, the stove is compact and well-proportioned, ideal for installations within a fireplace opening or recess. The logstore version (5WS/LS) adds extra height and a built-in compartment beneath the firebox, perfect for stacking logs and giving the stove a taller, freestanding aesthetic that feels at home in more contemporary spaces.

Finish and detail matter with Chesneys, and the Sanctuary 5WS doesn’t disappoint. Available in six colours—Black, Silver, Atlantic Blue, Sage Green, Parchment, and Autumn Leaf—you can choose whether you want your stove to blend subtly or stand out as a statement piece. On top of that, you can pick either silver or brass furniture, making a total of 12 combinations to match your décor.

The Handle That Isn’t There

One of the most intriguing design features of the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS is what you don’t see: a handle. Instead of a traditional protruding handle, this stove uses a cleverly engineered gap in the side of the door as its opening and closing point.

To operate it, you simply push or pull at this recessed grip, giving the stove a flush, seamless look that enhances its modern feel. But here’s the catch: when the fire is roaring and the cast-iron door heats up, you’ll want to make sure you’re wearing a stove glove before opening it. It’s a smart, minimalist solution that removes visual clutter, but practicality demands a little caution. Think of it as part of the stove’s personality—refined yet unapologetically fiery.

Performance: Clean Burning and DEFRA Approved

Looks are one thing, but performance is where the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS really earns its place in modern homes. This stove is fully DEFRA exempt, meaning it can be legally installed and used in UK towns and cities, even in smoke control zones. It produces emissions that are just one-tenth of the levels permitted by DEFRA for exempt appliances, putting it in a league of its own for eco performance.

With an efficiency rating of 86.4%, the Sanctuary 5WS ensures you get the maximum amount of heat from every log. That means less wood burned, lower fuel bills, and a smaller environmental footprint. Add to that its 5kW nominal output, and you’ve got a stove that’s perfectly suited for most medium-sized living spaces, delivering warmth without overwhelming the room.

Two Versions: Legs or Logstore

The Sanctuary 5WS is available in two formats to suit different installation styles and personal preferences:

Sanctuary 5WS (Legs) – Compact and balanced, this version is perfect for traditional fireplace openings. It sits neatly within a surround and gives a timeless look while still benefiting from Chesneys’ modern design touches.
Sanctuary 5WS/LS (Logstore) – Taller and more commanding, the logstore base adds both function and flair. Not only does it raise the stove higher for a better fire view, but it also provides practical storage for logs, making it a great choice for open-plan or freestanding settings.

Both versions deliver the same outstanding performance, so your choice comes down to style and placement.

Thinking of installing a Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS in your home? Leave us a comment below with your thoughts—or let us know if you’d like us to create a full video spotlight on this model. And as always, check out our other Stove Spotlight reviews for more inspiration.

Customisation: Colours and Furniture Options

Chesneys understands that a stove isn’t just about heating—it’s part of your interior design. That’s why the Sanctuary 5WS is available in a wide palette of finishes.

Six Colour Options:

Black (standard)
Silver
Atlantic Blue
Sage Green
Parchment
Autumn Leaf

Two Furniture Finishes:

Silver furniture
Brass furniture

This gives you 12 possible combinations, from the classic Black with Silver Furniture to striking Atlantic Blue with Brass Furniture. Whether your taste leans modern, traditional, or somewhere in between, there’s a version of the Sanctuary 5WS to match.

Key Features at a Glance

5kW nominal heat output – perfect for medium-sized rooms
84%+ efficiency – highly economical and eco-friendly
DEFRA-approved – suitable for smoke control zones
Ecodesign 2022 compliant – clean burning and low emissions
Durable build – heavy-gauge steel body with cast-iron door
Airwash system – keeps glass clear for flame viewing
External air kit compatible – ideal for airtight modern homes
Multiple base options – short legs, tall legs, or log store
Choice of finishes – classic black plus optional colours

Why Choose the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS?

The Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS isn’t just another woodburner—it’s a perfect balance of style, performance and sustainability. Its hidden handle design makes it visually distinct, while its ultra-clean burning credentials ensure it’s ready for the most demanding urban air quality standards. Add to that its variety of finishes and the choice between legs or logstore, and you’ve got a stove that fits seamlessly into both classic and contemporary homes.

If you’re looking for a woodburner that proves you can have design and performance in equal measure, the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS makes a strong case as one of the smartest choices available today.

In the world of woodburners, it’s not often you find a model that feels this considered. The Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS is as much about what it leaves out—no clunky handle, no unnecessary emissions—as what it delivers. It’s efficient, elegant, and practical, with the versatility of two base options and a wide range of finishes.

Too hot to handle? Maybe. But that’s exactly the point.

💬 What do you think of the Chesneys Sanctuary 5WS?
Would you go for the neat short-leg version or the taller logstore model? And what do you make of the handle-less door design — clever or a bit too hot to handle? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you.

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Reece Toscani

Reece has over two decades in the fireplace and stove world — testing, reviewing, and occasionally getting covered in soot, all in the name of wood-fired home heating. He cuts through the nonsense, busts the myths, and shares straight-talking advice to help you enjoy your stove without the confusion. From Fireplace Products to Redefining Woodburners, if it burns wood, he’s probably tested it, fixed it, or argued about it. Now, through Woodburner Insights, he shares that experience with the world — both here and on YouTube.