Skip to main content

Live like a sophisticated troglodyte in this subterranean cave home

If you’ve ever disparagingly referred to someone as a troglodyte, you might want to reconsider the insult. Cave-dwelling can be pretty sweet — and you can still get Wi-Fi — if you live like Angelo Mastropietro.

The businessman doesn’t actually reside in his Rockhouse Retreat full-time; he built it as a weekend getaway. It took him over $230,000, even though he did most of the work himself. The cave alone cost nearly $90,000, and the rest went to renovations, he told Barcroft TV.

The sandstone cliffs are approximately 250-million years old, and the cave itself is one of the oldest inhabited rock houses in Europe. People have lived there for around 700 years, according to archeologists, though not for the past several decades. Though there were already several rooms roughed out, the elapsed time made the house fall into disrepair. Mastropietro, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis several years ago, still had to put in over 1,000 hours of work (and excavate 70 tons of stone) to make it habitable. He added heating under the floors, an electric stove, wood fireplace, LED lights, and luxury shower. The outdoor terrace has a barbecue.

“Whilst you’re maybe a mile or so from the nearest supermarket and the nearest pub, you’re 1,000 miles from care,” Mastropietro told Grand Designs. While he says he wanted to celebrate that it’s a cave dwelling, he still wanted to bring in some modern luxuries. But the wiring, drainage, and ventilation are hidden behind the rock and under the floor, in keeping with the primitive spirit.

The rock house, which is located in Worcestershire, U.K., isn’t Mastropietro’s full-time residence, and he rents it out for about $280 a night. He probably doesn’t take clams and scallops, like The Flintstones, though.

Jenny McGrath
Former Senior Writer, Home
Jenny McGrath is a senior writer at Digital Trends covering the intersection of tech and the arts and the environment. Before…
If you have pets, but hate vacuuming, this Shark robot vacuum is 49% off
The Shark AV2501S vacuum bot.

Nobody really likes vacuuming. Even with manually washing dishes you get to hear the pleasant sounds of water running, but vacuuming is overall just loud and time consuming. That's why we love robot vacuums so much. What we don't like about robot vacuums, however, is the price, which is why scouring through robot vacuum deals is so critical. Take this one, an early Prime Day deal, that saves you $270 on the Shark AV2501S, dropping its price to $280 from $550. Putting this all into perspective, when we covered the Shark AV2501S's 2024 Prime Day deal, it was still $412—things are looking a lot better for you this time around. To lock in this great price, simply tap the button below and make your purchase. Otherwise, keep reading to see why we like this vacuum, and what made it special enough for us to recommend it in the past.

Buy Now

Read more
xTool’s F2 Ultra: A smarter take on creative production
xtool f2 ultra on display on a table

This July, xTool isn’t just opening a new office in Mountain View, California, it’s setting up shop with purpose. Their U.S. Brand Launch Experience, timed with the debut of xTool’s first American headquarters, is more than a launch party. It’s a look at how the company is thinking long-term about tools, creators, and community.

At the center of the event is the F2 Ultra, xTool’s new flagship dual-laser system designed for small businesses and serious makers. Why does this machine matter? It helps to zoom out first. xTool’s U.S. expansion is borne of the necessity to show up for the people who use their products every day.
A Local Anchor for a Growing Brand
Mountain View now hosts xTool’s first U.S. demo center and office. That means faster customer support, more hands-on service, and a clearer bridge to the U.S. creative scene. One standout piece of the rollout is the xTool Squad, a national support team offering real human help with setup, training, and troubleshooting.

Read more
Samsung’s AI-powered refrigerator is down $1,870 for July 4th sale
Here, you can see the screen of the Samsung Bespoke 4-Flex with AI Family Hub refrigerator.

It's that time of the year where we see the most strain on our refrigeration and freezing elements, and when waiting extra minutes for a fresh batch of ice just doesn't seem worth it anymore. Luckily, a great Samsung deal has emerged as part of the company's ongoing July 4th sale. Their Bespoke 4-Door Flex Refrigerators (the smart refrigerators with AI vision into the fridge's interior and an AI family board on the front) are down to $3,299. That's a savings of $1,870 for the counter depth version (originally $5,099) and a savings of $1,200 for the full depth version (originally $4,999). Tap the button below to see the refrigerators for yourself or keep on reading to see why these are the best smart home pickups for the summer.

BUY NOW

Read more