South London Home with WWII Bunker Turned Wine Cellar Lists for £995k
A unique South London property, featuring a meticulously restored Second World War air raid shelter transformed into a sophisticated wine cellar, has entered the market with an asking price of £995,000. The three-bedroom house in Shortlands, South East London, offers a rare blend of historical charm and modern functionality, attracting attention from buyers intrigued by its distinctive feature.
Unexpected Discovery Leads to Ambitious Restoration
Current owner Mike Hemmings, 47, purchased the home five years ago with no knowledge of the hidden bunker in the garden. "There was a fridge in this odd brick building in the garden," he recalled. "When I moved it, it was rather like Narnia. I just saw an abyss in front of me. I called the estate agent like 'what is this dungeon in my property.' Obviously, I got very excited." The shelter, originally a Wilmot type, had been neglected and was filled with rubbish, mud, and floodwater, serving as a dump before Hemmings embarked on a four-year restoration project.
Hemmings, a history enthusiast, undertook most of the work himself, investing over £10,000 to:
- Remove all debris and muck from the bunker
- Rebuild the steps and install new flooring
- Fit electrical power and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Paint the walls to create a clean, usable space
Initially, he converted the space into a private cinema, but quickly realized that "people didn't want to watch movies in a hole in the ground." After considering a sauna—which proved impractical due to the curved roof—he settled on creating a wine cellar, leveraging the bunker's natural ability to maintain a consistent 10-degree temperature, ideal for wine storage.
Historical Preservation Meets Modern Luxury
The bunker, dubbed the "meridian bunker" because it crosses directly through the prime meridian, now serves as a wine-drinking hideout and a mini museum to WWII. During restoration, Hemmings discovered various trinkets from the 1960s and 1980s, including a jewellery box and cosmetics, adding to its historical allure. "It is just a lovely bit of history, and it is nice to maintain that," he said. "I wanted to keep it as a mini museum to WW2. I don't use it too much, it is just a lovely feature of the property."
Hemmings joined an online bunker restoration group for tips and proudly noted that the shelter has been reinforced to last another 80 years. "I am glad I have managed to restore it to a point where it is probably going to last another 80 years. It is going to outlast me quite happily," he remarked, adding that many neighbors have simply filled in their bunkers, making this preservation effort rare.
Property Features and Market Appeal
Listed with Maguire Baylis, the home boasts large gardens that include an orchard with apple, pear, plum, and cherry trees, along with several outbuildings such as a large cabin, a summer house, and a greenhouse-style garden room. The beautiful grounds have been hired for photoshoots and were even used for Olly Alexander's album cover before his Eurovision appearance.
Hemmings is selling to downsize, describing the decision as tough. "It is a shame I am selling it really. I will miss it. It is a hard decision. It has been blood, sweat and tears to do this house up but I have really enjoyed it and learnt so much in the process," he said. The property's appeal lies in its "ridiculous amount of space for a zone four property," combining historical uniqueness with practical living space.
The conversion has drawn mixed reactions, with Hemmings joking about inevitable WW3 comments, but he emphasizes the value of preserving history for future generations. "It is about embracing the past and making sure that you have it for the future generations to see," he concluded, highlighting the bunker's transformation from a forgotten relic to a celebrated feature of a premium London home.
