I found a cellar!

[tom.harrigan]

Hi

I decided to look underneath a large flagstone that has been lying at the front of my house. To my horror I found a large deep hole beneath it that went at an angle underneath the house. My panic increased when it became clear that there was nothing holding up the (2ft thick random stone and mud) wall above. I decided to investigate, so I sent the wife down the hole.

It turns out we have a cellar with a vaulted ceiling and stone steps leading back up into the house. The stairs have been blocked off with some concrete, but it should be no problem breaking through. It's a small cellar, about 2.5m x 3.0m, with a ceiling height of over 2.0m. There's a lot of mud on the floor, but it's loose and I suspect there may be a stone floor if I dig down. It looks like the "hole" may have been a later addition.

What should I do with it? Should I fill it with concrete, or turn it into a feature?

Tom

 

[Tom]

From your description it sounds like the hole could be a coal shute. Wow, I'd *love* to have a cellar but, sadly, in our house we knew were never going to find one. Lucky you!! :mrgreen:

Jaqy

 

[Penners]

I agree with Jaqy. A cellar could be a useful and valuable addition to your house. I certainly wouldn't just fill it in.

And yes, the hole is probably a coal hole. Are you sure that there's no lintel at the point where it passes through the wall of the cellar? If not, it shouldn't be too difficult to insert one.

I suppose filling in just the coal hole wouldn't be such a practical loss*, but it's a shame to do so if it can be saved. It's obviously a historic feature of the house.

*Unless you decide to use the cellar as a workshop, in which the chute would be very useful to avoid taking your materials, etc. through the house.

 

[Nemesis]

It could also have been a stotage cellar, with external access for goods delivery.

Or even an inn with a cellar for beer?

 

[John&Lou]

I decided to investigate, so I sent the wife down the hole.

What a gallant gent you are Tom :lol:

 

[Penners]

Quite right. In the absence of an 8-year-old boy, the wife is the next best thing.

I hope she made sure she got out in time to cook your lunch.

 

[Aidan]

Quite right. In the absence of an 8-year-old boy, the wife is the next best thing.

Pardon?

 

[John&Lou]

Quite right. In the absence of an 8-year-old boy, the wife is the next best thing.

Pardon?

A Gary Glitter or Michael Jackson reference might be considered inappropriate at this point! :shock:

 

[Penners]

Behave you lot! You know what I meant.