Archaeologists Rediscover 18th Century Ice-Well in London

A team of archaeologists from Museum of London Archaeology (MOLA) has rediscovered a large, well-preserved subterranean ice-well dating from 1780.

Located just off Regent’s Park, the subterranean ice-well would have been one of the largest of its kind when first built — measuring an impressive 24.6 foot (7.5 m) wide and 31.2 foot (9.5 m) deep. The structure survives in good condition, with an intact brickwork interior and retains its circular plan and principal features including a ventilation hole or opening, a red brick lined chamber, an entrance-passage, an ante-chamber and evidence of internal chambers. Image credit: MOLA.

From 1600s above-ground ice-houses and underground ice-wells were built in the grounds of country houses, usually brick-lined and typically with the profile of an inverted egg.

Ice, harvested from a pool or lake, would be packed into the ice-house in the winter months. This would then be taken to the kitchen as needed over the course of the year to help keep perishable goods cool.

Ice-wells vary in shape but are mostly brick-lined structures wholly or mainly underground; the top, if above the ground surface, would be covered with earth for insulating purposes. The site would be screened by trees and the doorway often faced north.

The bottom and sides of the ice-well would be lined with straw, with further straw between the layers of ice or snow. This allowed the moisture from the melting ice to drain away which helped to inhibit further melting. Many ice-wells had wooden floors above and soak-away sumps below for this purpose.

Normally ice would be lowered into the well through a shaft at the top, and would be extracted and removed through an ascending passage-way, often curved and with two or more doors to create an air-lock for good insulation.

The underground ice-well rediscovered by the MOLA archaeologists was built by Samuel Dash in 1780.

The structure was later leased for use as a commercial ice-well from around the 1820s and expanded by confectioner and early pioneer of ice importation William Leftwich.

Leftwich sold ice to taverns, coffeehouses and clubs all over London and supplied the growing confectionary and ice cream trade, popular from the early 19th century. Ice was collected from local canals and lakes in winter and stored, but it was often unclean, and supply was inconsistent.

“Leftwich was one of first people to recognize the potential for profit in imported ice,” the MOLA researchers said.

“In 1822, following a very mild winter, he chartered a vessel to make the 1,243 mile (2,000 km) round trip from Great Yarmouth to Norway to collect 300 tons of ice harvested from crystal-clear frozen lakes.”

“The venture was not without risk: previous imports had been lost at sea, or melted whilst baffled customs officials dithered over how to tax such novel cargo.”

“Luckily, in Leftwich’s case a decision was made in time for the ice to be transported along the Regent’s Canal, and for Leftwich to turn a handsome profit.”