The Hole Park Ice House dates from about 1740. Relatively thin ice could have been harvested from nearby ponds, particularly the spring-fed Egg Pond in the garden to the south and layered with straw to make removal easier. The ice house probably fell into disuse in the mid 19th century. It was sealed over with concrete in the 1930s for safety. Aware of its existence this Grade II listed structure was reopened and restored in 2011 with grant funding from Natural England using local contractors.
This ice house consists of a conical bricklined pit built into the side of the valley accessed by a level entrance passage through three sets of doors. It features a cavity wall for greater insulation and to keep the walls drier. At the bottom is a sump and drain discharging in the valley to avoid ground or meltwater building up in the ice house. Shading from the woodland setting assists in the coolness.
