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The Rockhouse Retreat
An English Cave House
Enrique Banuelos
January 20, 2025
By Enrique Banuelos
WELCOME
January 20th 2025
Read Time: 2 Minutes
Have you ever thought about adopting the life of Fred & Wilma Flintstone? If not this week’s feature might have you seriously considering. Let’s go explore.
The Rockhouse Retreat
Location: Worcestershire, England.
Size: 65 m² (700 ft²)
Designer: Angelo Mastropietro
Year: 2015 Renovation (Historic Dwelling Space)
When I first saw this photo I imagined it was in a desert oasis, Indiana Jones must be lurking in the bushes beyond. Surprisingly this marvel lies in the foothills of England, 1 hour outside of the hum and drum of Birmingham.
The front patio in summer warmth
The Rockhouse Retreat is a unique luxury cave situated on the banks of Honey Brook near the Wyre Forest and covers three acres of woodland. The retreat was hand-sculpted from a Triassic sandstone escarpment, which is approximately 250 million years old. The site has been used as a dwelling for over 700 years and was last deserted in 1962 before being painstakingly refurbished by its owner, Angelo Mastropietro, between 2014 and 2015.
Angelo Mastropietro's journey to create the Rockhouse Retreat began with a life-altering multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosis in 2007. This health challenge became a turning point, prompting him to reassess his priorities and leave his high-powered job in Australia. Seeking a fresh start and a healthier lifestyle, Mastropietro returned to his roots in Worcestershire. Despite the physical limitations imposed by MS, he embarked on the monumental task of transforming an 800-year-old cave into a luxury dwelling, often working alone. 1
The home features a simple layout, and although I don’t have a formal floorplan the image below should help to ground your understanding of the space.
Sleeping lofts are tucked away above the washrooms.
All spaces are connected on the interior with corridors.
Let’s start our tour in the living room which opens directly to the patio and features a window side dining table, wood burning fireplace, and comfy furnishings.
The entirety of the cave has been lime-washed for a bright white look.
The Kitchen brings in a warm country / rustic vibe with wainscoting around the border and gentle up lighting. The entire cave features lighting from below to avoid carving utility trenches above the floor.
Thick wooden countertops keep the caveman theme going strong.
The bathroom is generous. The original plan called for an enormous stone bath, however, the vast amount of heated water required to fill it was unfeasible given the cave’s heating setup. Instead the bath was modified to a large open shower with inlaid stonework.
Connecting the bedroom and bathroom was the first step in renovating the property.
The bedroom offer a quite corner, along with a second wood fired burner to keep you toasty of the chilliest of nights.
All windows feature “black out” shutters for those that enjoy a sleep-in.
Lastly the grounds themselves deserve a mention as a charming river courses through the property and it really does feel like a lost valley.
Watch your step.
This entire property is whimsical, to me it seems more like a drawing than a reality. The little stone cave strikes a fine balance between rustic raw, and the cozy hobbit home qualities of a retreat.
If you are looking for a more in depth look checkout this tour which adds perspective and dives into the background of the owner.
BOOK A STAY
If you are looking for more information on the Rockhouse Retreat check out their website which sheds more light on how it was made, and how to book a stay. Rates as of publishing are £248 a night with availability booked months out.
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