Thank you Ballycastle. I have considered everything and more! The Gutmann looks lovely, but I really prefer extraction if poss. We have finally decided to go for a Franky Galaxy Slim ceiling extractor without a motor. We will have to have a small false ceiling made, but think this is best as it won't obstruct the views through what is, a fairly large open plan area, to the garden.

Hi, Ive been looking for a better hood aswell, so started looking again and found this... depends on how deep your pockets are though https://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Main_Index/Ventilation_Index/Cooker_Hood_Index/index.html

We used to have a similar one in our previous kitchen. Didn’t have a hinge, had to remove the front panel to get access to the filter. The hole point of these things is that they give you head space while cooking, so they are supposed to be ‘closed’. Just keep it closed and only open it to clean it. Looks really nice.

Hi Huw, The minimum height requirement for a hood above a electric hob is 650mm and for Gas it is 750mm. Bear in mind that standard glass splash-backs are 750mm high so if you have it fitted higher there will be a gap. The chimney can be cut down to suit but if it is vented out of the wall you will need room for the extractor tube. Hope this helps. Phillip from Klass kitchens.