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We Found a Hidden Vault Inside Our 450-Year-Old Manor

Life At The Manor

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Hidden behind the wooden panelling at Chavenage is something you’d never know was there… a secret vault.

This week on Life at the Manor, we take a closer look at this concealed corner of our Elizabethan family home. With Big Al joining the investigation, we explore the vault and see what clues we can uncover about its past.

What was it used for, what might it have protected, and what’s inside? Come and have a rummage with us!

A big thank you to ieGeek for sponsoring this episode.

If you enjoyed the video, please subscribe and join us as we uncover more of Chavenage’s stories, tackle the restoration and share everyday life at the manor.

What would you hope to find inside a hidden vault? Let us know in the comments!

#LifeAtTheManor #HiddenVault #Chavenage

Thanks for watching Life at the Manor!
We’re sharing the real story of what it’s like to live, work, and restore a historic family estate in the heart of the Cotswolds. From manor house renovations and family history to farming life and hidden gems—you’re invited along for the journey.

🎥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications to follow our restoration and heritage story each week.
💬 Got a question or a story to share? Pop it in the comments—we love hearing from you!

🌿 Want to experience the estate for yourself?
🏡 Stay at Chavenage — book our woodland CABIN on Airbnb:
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/109060...

☕ Or come and visit our on-site café:
https://www.thebarnatchavenage.co.uk/

📍 Filmed at Chavenage House, Tetbury, Gloucestershire
📸 Follow us on Instagram & Tiktok : @chavenagestate

20 Comments

@31Rowan 15 hours ago

VOTE YES for AL and yourself on these explorations!

@OhioGirl-ng1ru 15 hours ago

As a historian, what you found in those letters and papers is a story of your family's' life and times. Lucky you.

@HazzyAd 14 hours ago (edited)

You should hire archivist and scan digitally all those documents like the project done by Julie Montagu. All those letters need to be transcribed and saved digitally

@crislo1071 13 hours ago

I think big Al deserves a proper work light and/ or a headlamp!!! Those letters are a fascinating find.

@missylindenmeier8150 14 hours ago (edited)

Fascinating stuff - a little google revealed this tidbit:
"That date lines up right in the middle of a massive week of celebrations in London.
The UK held its official National Peace Celebrations and Victory Parade that same week in July 1919 following the Treaty of Versailles, so the King hosted several garden parties at the palace for wounded servicemen, Victoria Cross recipients, and public figures. Lord Sandhurst, the Lord Chamberlain, would have been the one issuing those invitations on behalf of the King"

@justjane2070 15 hours ago

You should really hire an archivist! Kept everything but not taking care of it 😢

@RaymondMettling 13 hours ago

Al and James compliment each other nicely.

@Madhaggis2 5 hours ago

Yes to big Al rummaging. Also love seeing renovations.

@patricescattolin43 15 hours ago

8:12 the black border around a letter indicates a person during a mourning period. Someone had recently lost a loved one

@owainsutton4865 14 hours ago

This is a phenomenal. A full archive, deserving of an expert. Please bring in an archivist, employed to fully secure and catalogue the archive.

@LaurieWilliamson-t2w 12 hours ago (edited)

The powder horn: you had it backward, lads -- powder goes in via the wide end -- that cap must come off somehow -- and with the small end is poured into the gun barrel. Obviously the 2 clips held its carrying strap. The fun part is finding out whom it belonged to. If you ever have time (haha) to read some of the letters, they'd give you some fascinating family history -- human and probably military. Another brilliant video!

@jmitch5161 15 hours ago

Yes, please, to more rummaging!! All those letters all tied together, obviously meant a lot to someone.

@e.urbach7780 14 hours ago

Another historian here; those books, letters and papers are a treasure! The room itself, being off of what might have been a dining room, could have been a wine and liquor storage room originally. There might have been a bigger storage/wine cellar underneath the house, for barrels and larger numbers of bottles of things, but it would make sense to have a cool/stable temperature, lockable storage place nearer to the area of the house where people would be drinking the wine, etc.

@janeblandford852 10 hours ago

I really enjoy when Al finds treasure and you both go through the finds. Attics and hidden storage rooms are always a treat!!

@Beetovin 7 hours ago

We love watching Al go through stuff

@janebuckley8435 12 hours ago

Get Al a head torch 😎

@niptodstan 13 hours ago

The horn. This object is an antique North African / Ottoman-style powder horn (or powder flask), typically dating from the 19th to early 20th century (often associated with Morocco or Algeria).
Rather than a musical instrument, it was designed to store dry gunpowder for muzzle-loading firearms like matchlock or flintlock muskets.
Key Characteristics:
Horn Body: Made from a natural animal horn (often bull or ox horn), hollowed out and shaped to hold powder while keeping it waterproof.
Brass Mounts: Fitted with chased or engraved brass caps and bands at both ends, featuring geometric or arabesque motifs typical of Islamic craftsmanship.
Suspension Rings: Includes two metal loops along the inner curve so it could be attached to a shoulder strap or belt bandolier.
Cap/Plug: The wider end is sealed with a brass cap, while the narrower tip acts as the pouring spout. Google Gemini result.

@BillSmith-l7t 8 hours ago

A vote of YES for Big Al to keep rummaging. All the old documents, receipts, everything like it is to me at least very interesting. A peek back in time.

@DebbieGreenSnider 8 hours ago

I love this banter between Big Al and James. Please keep it up! I am being greatly entertained by everyone on this channel and I love your Aunt Caroline!