Exploring Kent's Past

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Monument details

Summary

Grade II listed building. Main construction periods 1800 to 1979

Summary from record TQ 83 SW 31 :

A disused icehouse is located near Benenden School. It was originally built as a two door brick structure with a central drain to run off into a nearby lake. It had a tiled roof to add shade, and was probably built in the 19th century. It has been disused since 1913.

Monument Types

• ICEHOUSE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD? to 1913 AD)
• SITE (Post Medieval to Modern - 1800 AD to 1979 AD)

Full description

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The following text is from the original listed building designation:
BENENDEN TQ83SW CRANBROOK ROAD 1350-0/3/19 Ice House at Benenden School GV II Ice house. Early C19 restored in 1970s. Large beehive-shaped chamber in English bond red brick with header bond at top. The exterior has exposed brickwork to a height of about 5 feet. The entrance was originally round-headed but has been replaced with a C20 brick entrance with flat gabled tiled roof and double wooden doors. This ice house was built for the original Hemstead House which was demolished c.1859 when David Brandon erected the present building.
Listing NGR: TQ8024633803

Description from record TQ 83 SW 31 :
Icehouse 365m from Benenden School. Brick porch entrance to NW facing the entrance passage. Originally with two doors. Domed chamber 1.2- 1.8m above ground level and 3.65m below. Chamber is 4.8m in dia with a central drain which discharges into a nearby lake. Fourteen brick pillars 0.33m high originally supported a tiled roof giving extra shade to the icehouse. Disused since 1913.

<1> Roaf, S. & Beamon, S. P., 1990, The Ice Houses of Britain, Beamon, S and Roaf, S 1990 'Ice Houses of Britain' p.310 (Monograph). SKE8293.

Sources and further reading