An extensive network of hand-excavated underground tunnels was discovered beneath a residential property in Reading, UK. The subterranean system, located in the Tilehurst area, extends approximately 15 meters below ground level and was constructed by the home’s previous owner, engineer Tony Deane, over a period of around 20 years.

The tunnels comprise a series of storage rooms, concealed doors, a small railway, and a heavy goods lift, according to details provided in the property’s sale listing. The unique underground feature came to light during preparations for the sale of the house, valued at approximately £300,000.

Richard Worrall, the auctioneer handling the property, described the tunnels as a remarkable engineering feat. Most of the excavation was carried out through chalk, a soil type that naturally supports itself, though hand-cast structural concrete was added in some sections for reinforcement. Worrall emphasized that the entire complex was dug manually, with materials removed using buckets and wheelbarrows.

The complex had remained largely unknown outside the Deane family, with even neighboring residents unaware of its existence. The discovery has attracted attention for its unusual construction and the considerable effort involved in creating the hidden underground space.