[Faline]

While loose change is usually the most exciting thing found under most family's couches, Colin and Vanessa Steer discovered something a little more unusual.
The married couple were surprised to find they had actually been sitting on a piece of Plymouth's history for over 25 years.
Mr Steer had spotted the bothersome bump in the floor shortly after moving into the Victorian house in Mannamead Road.
However he was discouraged to explore the matter further by his wife and it was largely forgotten about underneath couple's sofa.
'I was replacing the joists in the floor when I noticed a slight depression - it appeared to be filled in with the foundations of the house,' he explained.
'I dug down about one foot but my wife just wanted to me to cover it back up because we had three children running around at the time.
'I always wanted to dig it out to see if I could find a pot of gold at the bottom, so when I retired at the end of last year that's what I started to do.'
With the help of a friend, the former civil servant began digging down into the well, which is around 30 inches wide, using a bucket on a rope to pull up the debris.
Having discovered an old sword, the 61-year-old has now added lighting and also built a trap door around the well.
He added: 'I've been doing lots of research into its history but I'd like to try and find someone to date it.
'I love the well and think it's fascinating. I'd love to find out who was here before us. I've got a piece of Plymouth's history in my front room.'
However his wife doesn't share the same enthusiasm as her husband for the project.
She said: 'I hate the well. But I suppose it is quite a feature. When we come to sell the house I just hope it's not a white elephant in the room!'

[Viking64]

The reminds me of an excellent horror film starring George C. Scott called "The Changeling".

[TwistedPrincess]

He added: 'I've been doing lots of research into its history but I'd like to try and find someone to date it.


ok fine, i will but i expect to be wined and dined and NO hanky panky afterwards.

[Seven Of Nine]

Originally Posted by Viking64 ↗

The reminds me of an excellent horror film starring George C. Scott called "The Changeling".

I remember that movie, my sister and I watched it around the age of 8?? That was a great movie.

[Mizz_Russia]

That is awesome!!!!!

[Spiffyfable]

The trap door to the punishment chamber

[Faline]

Originally Posted by Spiffyfable ↗

The trap door to the punishment chamber

Kids are naughty, throw them down

[kellyhound]

gate to hell.

[DiamondSmiles]

What a bitch the wife is! Toss her down there for awhile!

[güttsfükk]

Having discovered an old sword, the 61-year-old has now added lighting and also built a trap door around the well.

surprised they didnt show the sword or mention more about it

A couple have discovered they are sitting on a piece of history after uncovering a 33ft-deep medieval well under their sofa.

But although Colin Steer, 61, is fascinated by the historic find, his wife Vanessa certainly isn’t and even made her husband wait more than two decades after it was first spotted to begin exploring it.

The couple moved into their Victorian home in Plymouth, Devon around 24 years ago, when they first noticed a slight indentation in the living room floor.

Plans of the site show that the well dates back to at least the 16th century, just after the end of the medieval period.

And just five feet into the dig he made another discovery - an old sword.

He said: ‘It was hidden at a 45 degree angle and sort of just fell out.

‘It looks like an old peasant’s fighting weapon because it appears to be made up of bits of metal all knocked together.’

Having stopped digging at around 17ft Mr Steer believes the well is at least 33ft deep.

He has since put lighting in the well, tidied it up and built a trap-door into the living room floor for easy access.

Mr Steer said: ‘I’ve been doing lots of research into its history but I’d like to try and find someone to date it.

‘I’ve looked at old maps which showed Drake’s leat and illustrated the area was just woodland until this house was built in 1895.

‘I love the well and think it’s fascinating. I’d love to find out who was here before us.