Reasons for Designation
Icehouses are subterranean structures designed specifically to store ice,
usually removed in winter from ponds and used in the summer for preserving
food and cooling drinks. Thousands of icehouses have been built in England
since the early 17th century. These were initially built only by the upper
level of society, but by the end of the 18th century they were commonplace.
They continued to be built throughout the 19th century, when huge examples
were established by the fishing industry, as well as for use in towns.
Icehouses only became obsolete after the introduction of domestic
refrigerators in the early 20th century.
Of the thousands originally built, some 1500 icehouses have been positively
identified through a combination of archaeological and documentary research.
Although a relatively common class, most recorded examples with surviving
remains will be considered to be of national interest and appropriate for
consideration for either scheduling or listing. They are also generally
regarded as a significant component of local distinctiveness and character.
Details
The monument includes an icehouse situated in the grounds of an early 19th
century mansion house, which now forms part of Ashridge Management College.
The icehouse is large, mostly subterranean and Listed Grade II. The main
ice chamber is a cylindrical shaft descending 10m below ground level and
tapering downwards from 7m to 4.5m. The chamber is covered by a domed vault
pierced by a 0.6m wide chute in the top and entered via a narrow passageway
extending 8m to the east. The dome and the passageway are concealed and
insulated by an earthen mound, some 6m in height, revealing only the chute
at the top and the entrance to the passage which is framed by a rustic facade
of large puddingstone blocks. The passage itself is 3m high with straight
walls beneath a barrel vault built in a Flemish bond of soft red brick.
Similar brick in English bond and header bond is used for the walls of the
ice chamber and the dome. The passageway originally contained three doors
for further insulation - one just within the facade, one in the centre
(where the passage diverts at 25 degrees from its initial alignment) and
one set at an angle to match the curvature of the dome. These are no
longer present, although their positions are clearly indicated by the
brick frames and jambs. The chamber retains several features of particular
interest related to its use. These include the pulley attached to the
dome for the lowering and retrieving of ice, and a series of brick
courses where the vertical joints have been raked out - a practice which
is thought to indicate a double skinned wall (for insulation) which required
openings to drain water from within the cavity.
Legacy
The contents of this record have been generated from a legacy data system.
Legacy System number:
32456
Legacy System:
RSM
Sources
Books and journals Other
Legal
This monument is scheduled under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979 as amended as it appears to the Secretary of State to be of national importance. This entry is a copy, the original is held by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.
End of official list entry
