Malvern Hills Couple Stumbles Upon Century-Old Well During Kitchen Makeover
When embarking on home renovations, most people expect to find outdated fittings or perhaps some forgotten clutter. However, for one couple from the Malvern Hills, lifting a kitchen floor tile revealed a historical secret that left them utterly astonished.
Emma Harrison, 28, and Rhys Stainer, 27, were conducting refurbishment work in their newly purchased home when they made an incredible discovery. Concealed perfectly beneath a floor tile was a latch leading to a well measuring more than 20 feet deep.
A Historical Feature Hidden in Plain Sight
The couple, who have a passion for period properties, were thrilled to uncover this unique feature. Through their research, they calculated that the well was constructed in 1897, making it 126 years old, and was likely built alongside the house to provide an original water supply.
"We absolutely love period properties and this feature was a great find!" Emma explained. "It had unfortunately been covered over by the previous owners and wasn't on show, but you can pop up the floorboard."
In a video shared on TikTok, Rhys demonstrated the discovery by lifting the floorboard to reveal the hidden latch. To measure the well's depth, they ingeniously used a mug attached to some string, confirming its impressive 20-foot drop.
Viral Sensation and Public Reaction
The couple's TikTok post documenting their find rapidly accumulated over 5.3 million views and more than 232,000 likes, captivating online audiences. However, the reaction from viewers was mixed, with many describing the discovery as "terrifying" rather than exciting.
Comments flooded in expressing fear and apprehension:
- "Your husband is really brave standing over the 20-foot hole in his socks on bare wood."
- "Nope nope I would never stay there after finding that."
- "With all the horror films I have watched I recommend closing it permanently."
- "Imagine all the people gone missing in there."
- "I couldn't. I'd be petrified of rats running out."
One user even humorously questioned: "How do ye handle the ghosts and/or demonic creatures? add a padlock or is there a spray?"
Future Plans for the Unique Discovery
Despite the eerie reactions, Emma and Rhys are optimistic about enhancing their newfound historical feature. They plan to transform it into a distinctive element of their property, integrating it creatively into their kitchen design.
"Hopefully we can put lights all the way down the well so you can see right to the bottom and a glass top that you can walk over," Emma shared. "It will make a great feature in the new kitchen. We're going to do it all ourselves but we're expecting it will take a few years."
This remarkable find serves as a reminder of the hidden histories that can lie beneath our feet in older homes. For this couple, what began as a standard kitchen renovation has turned into an extraordinary journey into the past, blending historical preservation with modern home improvement.
