Uncovered cellar vent - what to do?

[dja1976]

Old victorian terrace, I have recently exposed the old front cellar vent, theres an old filled in 'well'. This is under the front bay window. I would like to make good, and ensure a ventilation (the vent is well below floor level, in to the cellar it self) but its about 8-12" below ground level. Its been covered up with paving, rubble, god knows what. Theres not a serious damp in the cellar as far as I can see so whatever has been happening, there no major concerns there.

I am trying to decide between 2 options, one building a nice little shallow well (using the existing well wall, probably replacing however many coarses of bricks) and then maybe installing a new vent in front of that one, with something over the top to stop rain ingress). And making it fairly pretty.

Other option just brick it up, fill the void and cover with some paving, and ultimately some pebble gravel etc with the rest of the yard, but install a telescopic air vent to the outside - but this would probably entail removing the render above, some bricks etc to install the top vent. I'm not totally against it, but I want it to all look good.

I dont know what these wells are even called, I havent found many ideas online. Looking for suggestions, examples of things to do.

 

[Wayners]

Id be looking to incorporate a Aco drain around bay below vent.
Guess you need to lower ground level.