Victorian Cellar

[Haresy77]

Hi,

I moved into a Victorian detached house in June and have been intrigued by some work that has been carried out in the cellar. The cellars a decent size and at some stage I would like to make the room more habtiable including having a window well dug out to introduce some natural light.

All in all the cellar is pretty dry which seems to be due to an internal skin of bricks/blocks being introduced at some stage. Also, it looks like the cellar has been underpinned although I can't think why as there is no sign of any subsidence in the past. I thought this may have been to lower the floor level but the original brick floor is still in place (although that's been screeded over). I've attached a link to some photos.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/22935384@N05

There's what appears to be a chminey breast which continues down from the dining room. Would this have originally been a fire or is just to support the chimney upstairs?

Any comments would be appreciated. I dont want to spend thousands on a conversion but with heat, ventilation and light it could be a decent space. Any thoughts?

 

[Moo]

We have a similar arched alcove in our cellar (which has pavement-level hatches - now windows - through which I imagine the coal was decanted at some time in the past). When we bought the house the cellar housed a huge gas boiler and I think I remember a pipe from it going up through the top of the arch.

Regarding the underpinning, it's not clear (to me, at least) from your photos exactly what it is that makes you think it is underpinning.

Sorry not to be more helpful, but I'm sure someone else on the forum will have some ideas.

 

[Penners]

Regarding the underpinning, it's not clear (to me, at least) from your photos exactly what it is that makes you think it is underpinning.

Nor me. In fact, if anything, it looks as thought he cellar floor might have been dig a bit deeper at some point.

Overall, I must say that the photos suggest a cellar in pretty good nick. Eminently suitable for an extensive complex of wine stores and workshops for the DIYer of the house.

Well, what else would you use a cellar for?

 

[chuckey]

I know some one who bought a house where the cellar had been used as some sort of "adult" playroom!!!! The previous occupants had actually raised the floor under the two front reception rooms and had a raised section in the front hall. Very novel walking down the hall, up two steps along four feet and down two steps. I presume it was to give them enough room to "swing a cat" in the cellar?
The house has now got a more traditional floor level.
Frank

 

[Penners]

I know some one who bought a house where the cellar had been used as some sort of "adult" playroom!

Presumably you mean for things like chess and bridge?