Hole discovered in front of windmill

[Teresa wells]

Can anyone suggest what this 3 m deep brick l;ined hole is in front of my windmill. The windmill was used to grind corn then used as a water tower. There is an aquifer under the land, The hole is brickl vaulted and about 3 metre wide. It is wet but no water pooling

 

[mardinor]

Oubliette?
Very 'Silence of the Lambs'.

 

[paulc]

How deep is this hole ?
Perhaps turn it in to a wine cellar...

 

[Adrian]

Looks and sounds like a possible small ice house, used to store natural ice/snow in winter for use in the summer months.

 

[Kearn]

Most likely a cistern. Especially close to the building and of that size. Often brick, curved roof for strength. Drainage pipes will run in, and maybe out.

 

[malcolm]

Alternatively water storage to pump up into the water tower. Seems like that is a thing. Just been watching a video and 3m 24s in there is a water tower with additional underground water storage.