Details

The monument includes an icehouse in the grounds of Sutton Park. It is located
in landscaped gardens 60m north west of Sutton Park House, and includes a
brick structure as well as the artificial mound into which the icehouse is
built. Sutton Park is an emparked high status residence dating to 1730 and the
icehouse is thought to have been constructed around this date.
The icehouse, which is Listed Grade II, is a conical brick structure, the
lower part being sunk 5.5m into the ground. The upper section is partly
covered by an artificial mound, leaving the domed roof of the chamber standing
1.80m above the ground. The ice chamber is approached by an above ground dog-
legged passage which has a stone slab roof. The passage is 4.5m long and has
an entrance door and a second door midway along its length. Access into the
ice chamber is via a small doorway raised 0.8m above the floor of the passage.
The maximum diameter of the chamber is 4.2m, tapering to 3m at the base. In
the floor of the chamber is a drain which leads to a pond in the former
kitchen garden 40m to the west. In the roof of the chamber is an iron hook
which was used for loading the ice, probably with the aid of a pulley system.
The ice chamber has a double brick skin forming a cavity wall, which is an
unusual technique in an icehouse of this date. There is a small window in the
outer skin of the dome on the north side. It has been suggested that the dome
was originally covered with earth. This, however, would have resulted in a
very large mound out of place in a formal garden context. It is more likely
that the dome was constructed in part as a garden feature and that the cavity
wall method was adopted in order to provide the insulation normally achieved
through covering with soil. Further insulation was provided by the location of
the structure in a sheltered location.
The wall to the kitchen garden, which is Listed Grade II and forms the west
wall of the passage, is not included in the scheduling.

MAP EXTRACT
The site of the monument is shown on the attached map extract.

Source: Historic England

Reasons for Scheduling

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.

The icehouse at Sutton Park survives well and is an important example of the
early use of cavity walls in the construction of icehouses. The icehouse
still retains its position within a small 18th century landscaped garden,
where it remains a significant ornamental feature.

Source: Historic England

Sources

Other
OAU, Ice house Step Report, (1998)
Sutton Park- The Ice House,

Source: Historic England