Pretty 18th-century cottage conceals 20ft-deep hollow used as oven in previous …

Posted on by Listify Me

By
William Cook


PUBLISHED:

16:07 GMT, 26 September 2012


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UPDATED:

20:06 GMT, 26 September 2012

Headtorches on! This eighteenth-century cottage is the perfect property for a potholer.

The aptly named Rock Cottage looks like an idyllic rustic retreat from the outside, but beneath it is a 20ft deep sandstone cave with steps and a handrail at the end of the patio.

The grade II-listed building is on the market for £305,000 in Tettenhall, near Wolverhampton.

More than meets the eye: Rock Cottage, near Wolverhampton, sits on top of a 20ft cave

Secret passage: Owner Tina Watson climbs the narrow staircase to the grassy viewpoint above

Current owner Tina Watson has lived in the three-bedroom house for seven years.

‘It’s certainly quirky’, she said. ‘I’ve had a few viewings and people are fascinated by it.

‘The history of the area was such a draw when I moved in – it’s so interesting and central to Wolverhampton’s past.’

That’s one way to get more space! The cave’s entrance is at the bottom of Tina’s patio

This alternative view of the courtyard shows the upper section accessible by going through the cave. The hidden area of grassland above has commanding views across Wolverhampton

The cave is believed to have housed a brick-lined oven, dating from its previous incarnation as a Victorian pub

A near vertical, three foot-wide
staircase leads up from the cave to a hidden area of grassland which
commands stunning views across the city.

Part of the cave is lined with bricks
and is believed to have been used as an oven in the cottage’s former
life as a drinking den for travelling politicians.

The property was originally two houses which were knocked into one when it became The Angel pub in the early nineteenth century.

The pub flourished on account of it
being on the main route for Irish MPs to travel along to Parliament
following the Act of Union in 1801.

History: The eighteenth-century building was used as a pub in Victorian times, and was popular with Irish MPs travelling to Westminster

Moving on: After seven years, Tina is selling the house through Wolverhampton firm Berriman Eaton

The house is being sold by
Wolverhampton firm Berriman Eaton.

As well as the cavern – the
property’s main attraction – it boasts an 220sq/ft lounge with exposed
ceiling timbers and a cast iron range.

The dining room spans 161sq/ft and
also includes a brick fireplace and coved ceiling, while the kitchen is
fully fitted with oak units, marble work surfaces and a modern cooker,
with flagstone flooring and rear facing window.

All mod cons: The kitchen is fully fitted with oak units, marble work surfaces and a modern cooker, with flagstone flooring and rear facing window

Comfortable: The dining room or rear sitting room spans 161sq/ft and also includes a brick fireplace and coved ceiling

Luxury: There is only one bathroom – but it does have gold taps

Upstairs, as well as the three
bedrooms, the house includes a galleried landing and house bathroom with
gold taps and a separate shower.

Outside a courtyard with brick
paviours in herringbone design and external lighting leads to the cave.

The agents describe the house as having ‘immense character and charm’
with all modern conveniences.

‘Rock Cottage offers superb living
accommodation with generously sized rooms, a bespoke breakfast kitchen
with Belfast sink and tiled flooring and a quaint rear courtyard with
brick paviours in herringbone design with access to an elevated garden
area through a sandstone cave,’ they say.

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