Historic ice house to give visitors a warm reception

RECONSTRUCTION MEANS IT IS OPEN FOR GUIDED WALKS FOR FIRST TIME IN CENTURY

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EXTENSIVE excavation, investigation, stabilisation and reconstruction mean that for the first time in nearly 100 years, it is possible to enter the historic ice house at Knole in Sevenoaks.

The listed dome structure sits to the south of the main house at Knole, in a spot shaded by trees. The structure is believed to date back to the early 1700s, although records suggest there may have been an ice house in this location as far back as the late 1600s. Ice houses were common in large estates and were used to store ice which was then used to prepare desserts, chill wine and keep perishable foods cool.

Once electricity was introduced into the house in the 1930s, the ice house was no longer used. Later the entrance was demolished and the vaulted passageway backfilled.

In 2021, work to conserve and repair the ice house began, and in January 2022 the entrance was excavated. A total of 648 bricks have been reclaimed from the original structure, cleaned and used in the repairs.

Some of the brick cleaning work has been carried out by a team of volunteers.