Information for record number MWA706:
Ice House by Watchbury Farm, Barford

Summary An icehouse dating to the Imperial period. Its unusual construction suggests that it may originally have been built for a different purpose, perhaps for curing and salting meat. It is situated 300m north east of the cemetery, Barford.
What Is It?  
Type: Icehouse
Period: Imperial - Industrial (1751 AD - 1913 AD)
Where Is It?  
Parish: Barford
District: Warwick, Warwickshire
Grid Reference: SP 27 61
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Level of Protection National - Old SMR PrefRef (Grade: )
Sites & Monuments Record
Description

  
Source Number  

1
2 The icehouse at Watchbury House is not true to type, and there may be some doubt as to its original purpose. It is oblong in plan, measuring approximately 6.2 by 4.7m and 1.4m high to the springing, and 2m high to the crown of the brick vaulted ceiling internally; the internal walls to the height of the springing of the vault (1.4m) are built in Warwick stone. The vaulting itself is constructed in fine 2 and a quarter inch bricks. The chamber is reached by a stairway of 12 brick steps and is lighted on the opposite side by a small window. The floor is paved with brick and a settle which runs part of the way around the walls may suggest that the chamber has been used at some time for salting and curing. The vaulting is covered externally by a bank of earth. There is cupboard space at the entrance to the chamber constructed of 3 inch bricks and this contains a hole for the admission of ice. The original flap doors to the entrance have disappeared. The passage from the entrance end of the chamber was built up some years ago. It is thought that the tunnel ran in a more or less direct line towards the boundary wall of the garden.
3 Watchbury House and gardens have now been divided into 3 separate properties. The icehouse is situated in the garden of Little Watchbury House. It is in good condition.
4 Ice House of Watchbury House still survives; now in grounds of Little Watchbury.
5 Beamon and Roaf report that the brick stairway is 3 ft (1m) wide. The walls of the chamber are of Warwick stone, the vaulted roof is of bricks as is the floor. The ledge which runs partly round the walls is 1 ft 9 ins (0.53m) wide. The whole structure is covered with earth and planted with shrubs, mainly yew. Beamon and Roaf add that local memory suggests that a passage led from the chamber and 'passed under the road' - its destination is unknown.
 
Sources
Source No: 1
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: TBAS vol 72
Author/originator: Yorke FWB
Date: 1954
Page Number: 24
Volume/Sheet: 72
   
Source No: 4
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: Warwickshire Register Review Data Tables (Warwick)
Author/originator: Lovie, Jonathan
Date: 1997
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 5
Source Type: Bibliographic reference
Title: The Ice-Houses of Britain
Author/originator: Beamon, S.P. and Roaf, S.
Date: 1990
Page Number: 437 - 443
Volume/Sheet:
   
Source No: 2
Source Type: Plan
Title: TBAS vol 72
Author/originator: Yorke FWB
Date: 1954
Page Number: Plate 11
Volume/Sheet: 72
   
Source No: 3
Source Type: Record Card/Form
Title: SMR card : text
Author/originator: JMG
Date:
Page Number:
Volume/Sheet:
   
Images:  
There are no images associated with this record.  
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Glossary

 
Word or Phrase
Description  
source SMR Card Sites and Monuments Record Card. The Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record began to be developed during the 1970s. The details of individual archaeological sites and findspots were written on record cards. These record cards were used until the 1990s, when their details were entered on to a computerised system. The record cards are still kept at the office of the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
source TBAS Transactions of the Birmingham and Warwickshire Archaeological Society is a journal produced by the society annually. It contains articles about archaeological field work that has taken place in Birmingham and Warwickshire in previous years. Copies of the journal are kept by the Warwickshire Sites and Monuments Record. back
period Imperial 1751 AD to 1914 AD (end of the 18th century AD to the beginning of the 20th century AD)

This period comes after the Post Medieval period and before the modern period and starts with beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. It includes the second part of the Hannoverian period (1714 – 1836) and the Victorian period (1837 – 1901). The Imperial period ends with the start of the First World War in 1914.
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monument ICEHOUSE * A structure, partly underground, for the preservation of ice for use during warmer weather. back
monument HOUSE * A building for human habitation, especially a dwelling place. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STONE * Use only where stone is natural or where there is no indication of function. back
monument TUNNEL * An underground channel with a vaulted roof. Use specific type where known. back
monument FLOOR * A layer of stone, brick or boards, etc, on which people tread. Use broader site type where known. back
monument VAULT * An underground room or building with an arched roof, often used as a burial chamber. Use wider site type where known. back
monument ROAD * A way between different places, used by horses, travellers on foot and vehicles. back
monument INDUSTRIAL * This is the top term for the class. See INDUSTRIAL Class List for narrow terms. back
monument CEMETERY * An area of ground, set apart for the burial of the dead. back
monument GARDEN * An enclosed piece of ground devoted to the cultivation of flowers, fruit or vegetables and/or recreational purposes. Use more specific type where known. back
monument STRUCTURE * A construction of unknown function, either extant or implied by archaeological evidence. If known, use more specific type. back
monument ROUND * A small, Iron Age/Romano-British enclosed settlement found in South West England. back
monument BOUNDARY WALL * Any wall enclosing a building or complex of buildings, eg. prisons, dockyards, factories, etc. back
monument STEPS * A series of flat-topped structures, usually made of stone or wood, used to facilitate a person's movement from one level to another. back
monument WALL * An enclosing structure composed of bricks, stones or similar materials, laid in courses. Use specific type where known. back

* Copyright of English Heritage (1999)

English Heritage National Monuments Record