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If a typical conservatory is not for you, then why not consider an orangery?  They have a long pedigree and with today's modern manufacture and installation methods, they are more affordable than you might think.

The first orangery was built in Britain in around 1580 for Sir Francis Carew who lived in Surrey.  As the name suggests, orangeries were used to grow or cultivate exotic fruit such as oranges. The earliest orangeries in Europe were probably built in Pisa in  1544 and in Padua in 1545.  It wasn't until the seventeenth century, however, that orangeries became introduced in Europe, first in Holland and shortly after, here in Britain. By the beginning of the eighteenth century orangeries were very popular and no home complete without one.   

Queen Anne had a huge orangery constructed at Kensington Palace in 1704 and the orangery at Kew Gardens was built in 1761.

An orangery looks more like a traditional room, but with more glazing.  The walls are constructed of solid masonry walls or wood and each has a lantern style roof.  Orangeries lend themselves to a wider variety of uses than normal conservatories.  They complement houses where a traditional

conservatory would look out of place.  They are light, airy, well-insulated and heated and have a unique design that cannot help but attract complements.