The Icehouse

On this plan of Mosely Court and grounds before demolition your approximate position is marked with an X.

You will notice the icehouse mound is marked on the map. This area is now covered over to protect the archaeology beneath but was comprehensively surveyed in 2006 by Northamptonshire Archaeology. Icehouses are buildings used to store ice collected in the winter throughout the year, commonly used prior to the invention of the refrigerator. The icehouse was introduced to Britain around 1660. Various types and designs of icehouse exist but British ice houses were commonly brick-lined, domed structures, with most of their volume underground. Ice houses varied in design depending on the date and builder but were usually conical or rounded at the bottom to hold melted ice. They usually had a drain to take away the meltwater. It is recorded that the idea for ice houses was brought to Britain by travellers who had seen similar arrangements in Italy, where peasants collected ice from the mountains and used it to keep food fresh inside caves.

Northamptonshire Archaeology recorded that the brick structure of the Moseley Court icehouse was roughly circular with an external diameter of c3.2m and an internal diameter of c2.5m. It was constructed in handmade red/orange brick laid in stretcher bond. The outer finish was roughly pointed with a dull creamy yellow mortar. The internal finish was neatly pointed, with a possible lime wash finish. The wall was c0.3m thick.

The following pictures show the icehouse as it was revealed during excavation. It is now hidden below ground.

• The icehouse looking south showing the buttress

• The icehouse looking south – the entrance to the right.

As you continue along the footpath note the remnants of the garden wall along the edge of the path on your right.