Ice House In Brandon Little Woods

This is an ice house dating from circa 1825, situated within Brandon Little Woods on the former Brandon Hall estate. It is associated with a pond located directly to the east, which served as the source of ice for storage.

The external structure comprises a brick-built, vaulted entrance tunnel constructed with red brick in English bond. The main body of the ice house is set beneath an earth mound, featuring a circular access hole near the top.

The entrance tunnel leads to a brick-lined ice chamber, connected to the tunnel by an arched opening. The form of the base of the ice chamber was unclear in 2010 due to debris, but is broadly egg-shaped.

Brandon Hall, situated within the former estate grounds, appears to have originated as a hunting, and later shooting lodge, possibly as far back as the 17th century. In 1825, Brandon Woods and the buildings within were purchased by the Beech family, who rebuilt the shooting lodge in a late Regency style to become Brandon Hall. It is likely that the pleasure gardens, walled kitchen garden, and the ice house itself were constructed around this time to serve the new residence, and they are clearly arranged in relation to the house. Brandon Hall remained a private residence until 1946, when it was converted into a hotel and remained in that use in 2009. Brandon Little Woods, where the ice house is located, are now in separate ownership.

The ice house is designated at Grade II for its historic interest as part of the former Brandon Hall estate, its architectural interest due to its well-built red brick construction dating before 1840, its intact condition, and its retained relationships with Brandon Hall, its kitchen garden, ice pond, and pleasure grounds, which form a cohesive grouping.