Ravensworth, icehouse

HER Number:
13468

District:
Gateshead

Site Name:
Ravensworth, icehouse

Place:
Ravensworth

Map Sheet:
NZ25NW

Class:
Gardens Parks and Urban Spaces

Site Type: Broad:
Garden Building

Site Type: Specific:
Icehouse

General Period:
Early Modern

Specific Period:
C19

Form of Evidence:
Structure

Description:
The icehouse lies to the north of the North Tower. It is almost certainly contemporary with the tower's brick lined cellar. Externally it comprises a rectangular earth mound orientated east to west and measuring 5m x 12m. It abuts the north wall of the tower. The structure is entered via a stone-lined L-shaped passageway. At the end of the passageway there are fittings for two sets of rectangular doors. This second doorway leads into a brick-lined chamber below ground level. The double doors would have kept the room as cold as possible. Access into the chamber is via a set of steep wooden stairs. The brick-lined barrel vaulted chamber is 3-4m deep with a small square delivery hatch in the east wall. Below the hatch is a ramp made from two angled timbers which have been recently used to drop masonry blocks into the interior. The timbers are not original.

Easting:
2325

Northing:
5916

Grid Reference:
NZ23255916

Lats/Lons:

Sources:
North of England Civic Trust, April 2008, Ravensworth Castle and Estate, Gateshead, Conservation Plan, Appendix A, page 54, gazetteer no. 1U; Northern Archaeological Associates, 2014, Ravensworth Castle, Gateshead - Building Recording