Wealthy businessman Joseph Williamson built several rather eccentric houses for his family on Edge Hill in Liverpool. He then built elaborate gardens between them, and eventually took his tinkering underground, where he had a system of tunnels built. Many men worked on the tunnels, but none knew the exact purpose for them. And Williamson didn't say, either.
The 19th century Liverpool historian James Stonehouse, who toured parts of the tunnels following Williamson's death in 1840, described the labyrinth as “a strange place” with “vaulted passages cut out of the solid rock”, and beautifully crafted arches “supporting nothing”. Stonehouse described vast cellars beneath the buildings that went several layers deep, up to six level at times. He also described the obscure caverns, immense in size, deep below the ground, the most famous being known as Williamson's 'Banqueting Hall'. The numerous cellars and caverns were linked by a complex series of tunnels which varied greatly in size and construction—ranging from small passageways hewn into the rocks just large enough for a person to squeeze through, to large vaulted tunnels.
There are several theories about why Williamson built so many tunnels and chambers, especially in the last few decades as they are being restored. Read about the tunnels below Liverpool at Amusing Planet.
(Image credit: Kyle J May)