Icehouse Approximately 35 Metres South Of Postern, Hertford Castle (Hertford Castle Demolished)

HERTFORD

TL3212SE HERTFORD CASTLE 817-1/20/312 Icehouse approx 35m S of Postern, Hertford Castle (Hertford Castle demolished)

GV II

Icehouse. c1795-1800. Red brick, header bond. Subterranean chamber with earth mound above, approached through reset-iron gate below modern concrete slab, into arched entrance. Dogleg plan, 4.7m long with red brick floor and segmental arched roof, and 4 frame rebates leading to circular well approx 3.5m diameter and 3.2m depth, with header bonded brick hemispherical domed roof and English bond conical lower section; brickwork discoloured and calcified but appears originally to have been red. The well forms a lip at the end making the access hole small; the well door was positioned sloping over the well. A small window appears to have been cut out of the left wall of the entrance tunnel between the second and third door; its purpose is unclear as it now reveals only the surrounding earth mound. Construction of the icehouse, on the thin islet between the 2 historic castle moats, dates from the late C18 major alterations undertaken by the Marquis of Downshire. (Perkins RJ: Hertford Castle Icehouse).

Listing NGR: TL3251012405