Billings' home stands on land that was once part of a World War II army base. (Facebook/Dave Billings)
A British man has spent 11 years turning the garden of his Derbyshire home into an underground space inspired by World War II escape tunnels. Dave Billings, 43, has built two bunkers connected by a 35-foot passage, along with a lift disguised as a beer keg to carry drinks underground.
By October 2024, he had spent around £30,000 on the project and expected the final construction cost to reach £35,000.According to The Sun's report, the underground rooms weren't yet connected to his bungalow, but Billings had plans to change that. He wants to create a concealed entrance inside his home, allowing him to reach the bunkers without stepping outside. The proposed route would eventually lead through the tunnel and back into the garden through an old well.For Billings, a fabricator, the project began with an interest in the history of his property. His home stands on land that was once part of a World War II army base. He had hoped to discover an existing bunker there, but when he found none, he decided to build one.“I’ve always wanted to find a bunker on the property, but when I didn’t I thought I’ll build one myself. It’s a bit of a childhood dream, really,” he told DerbyWorld.
Small underground room becomes larger project
The first stage of construction began around 2013. At the time, the garden contained an old well, which Billings incorporated into his plans. He constructed stairs leading down to a bunker measuring approximately 13 square metres.For several years, this was the main underground space on the property. But Billings eventually decided that he wanted something bigger. In 2023, he began work on a second bunker, this time with approximately 25 square metres of space.He decided to connect it to the existing bunker. This meant digging a tunnel stretching 35 feet between the two structures.The idea came partly from The Great Escape, the 1963 film based on the escape of Allied prisoners of war from Stalag Luft III during World War II. The prisoners had dug underground passages in an attempt to escape captivity. Billings wanted to recreate the appearance of those tunnels, including wooden lining along the passage.
A hidden entrance and an unusual way to deliver beer
The tunnel is only one part of the underground arrangement Billings hoped to create. His longer-term plan involved extending his bungalow closer to the bunker and installing a secret door that would provide access from inside the house.This would make it possible to enter the underground rooms from the bungalow, move through the connecting passage and return to the surface through the well.Billings also wanted visitors to be able to use the underground route without disturbing other people in the house.There is already another feature designed to make life below ground more convenient. Carrying drinks down the stairs proved difficult, so Billings constructed a lift that resembles a beer barrel.The device allows him to lower drinks into the bunker without having to carry them down himself. It is among the more unusual additions to a project that began as a simple underground shelter.
Construction costs and plans for finished bunker
Despite carrying out the construction himself, Billings has spent a substantial amount on materials.
According to The Sun, around £4,000 went towards bricks, while concrete, waterproofing and insulation added to the overall cost.His decision to do much of the work without hiring builders has helped reduce expenses. He also prepared the designs using Computer-aided design, with a structural engineer checking the specifications.By October 2024, the project had cost approximately £30,000. Billings estimated that completing the new bunker would bring the total to around £35,000.Billings also planned to install a projector and gaming simulator, along with other electronic devices.One of his ideas involved a remote-controlled fridge that could travel towards a person carrying a beer. At the time of the reports, he had not worked out how to make the device.Billings was aiming to finish the larger bunker by Christmas 2024, although he did not expect the project to end there. He was already considering further additions, including the possibility of another tunnel. “It’ll never be fully finished. I’ll always be adding new inventions and maybe even another tunnel,” he said, as quoted by DerbyWorld.