To ask what this massive hole under our garden is?

[Greatbighole]

Husband just lifted up a slate in the garden and uncovered a concrete chamber which goes under our property and next door. It’s 6.5 feet deep. House was built in 1910, we moved in a few months ago. Didn’t come up in the survey or searches.
Any ideas?
Next door must know as they have built an extension over it but we don’t know them and don’t want to go knocking to ask right now, but obviously we will when we see them!
My husband accidentally dropped the slate into the hole which is what you can see in the bottom.

It’s a pair of semis which share an underground hole.
Am I the only one sniggering at this? Together with “diameter of the pipe”.

Maybe your neighbours know more if they’ve built over it.

@Greatbighole we have one of those too in our garden, didnt come up on the survey either. Ours is mostly covered with a manhole access. I do remind my husband thats exactly where I will bury his body although actually the manhole cover is so heavy im not sure its a practical idea

Can you possibly search the censuses around that time maybe the 1901 for this address and the occupants occupations may give a clue? (I can do if you want to DM me) otherwise there must be something in the original deeds of the house, if they’re available?

This is an example of a concrete bomb shelter under someone's home.

yorkmix.com/james-discovers-a-concrete-bomb-shelter-under-his-york-garden-big-enough-to-house-a-family-of-four/

Your space is big enough to be a bomb shelter, but there are no built-in steps. There could have been wooden steps though. I would ask the neighbours. Someone is likely to know.

I was coming on to say water tank! Our house is a bit older (1890) and has one just by the back door.

Ignore me just seen you’ve found out what it was, brilliant find OP!

Is it where the Welsh Rarebit lives?

Damn I was hoping it was secret murder room or something. I’d love one in my house would get it cleaned and put steps in and make a den.

I really need to excavate my bunker properly. I vow to do it every time one of these threads comes up!

So does it mean you can walk underneath next door’s extension? I wonder if they could hear you under there. That’s a creepy thought, hearing something from underneath a ground floor room!

How would such a water tank drain out though? Is there an outlet to somewhere else?

@SoupDragon ww2 or nuclear?

Is “it’s a bomb shelter / it’s a cesspit” the new cancel the cheque?

How exciting. I would turn this into a really cool underground den for the kids

This is so cool! My 7 year old ds would absolutely love this 😂

Could it be a shelter that dates only from say early 1980s? I am thinking of the nuclear fears around c1983.

[quote Flapjacker48]@SoupDragon ww2 or nuclear?[/quote]
Sadly only WW2 and small. Bunker sounds so much better than air raid shelter.

Although I did once have a dream where I excavated the whole garden and the bunker was huuuuuge, 😂😂

You can use it for storage,when panic buying for toilet rolls and pasta and all things that are ripped off supermarket shelves when you are not allowed to go out shopping anymore.because of covid rules.

I love this thread! Our house was built in the 1880s, now I'm hoping we might have something like this!

Could it be a pit for servicing cars?

Just seen your update.
Check your water bill you are collecting your own waste water, contact the water board and ask them to adjust your bill.

@Alwayscheerful

Just seen your update. Check your water bill you are collecting your own waste water, contact the water board and ask them to adjust your bill.

Good thought, but as the cistern's currently dry, surely not any more?

@SoupDragon

I really need to excavate my bunker properly. I vow to do it every time one of these threads comes up!

DO IT!

With pics.

You know the whole of MN needs to know now...

Hi

We have the same in our garden (1930s house) - it’s an air raid shelter! X