Ice House of Middleton Hall, Llanarthney (Llanarthne), Carmarthenshire

Coordinates

Latitude: 51.8416 / 51°50'29"N

Longitude: -4.1527 / 4°9'9"W

OS Eastings: 251797

OS Northings: 218081

OS Grid: SN517180

Mapcode National: GBR DN.V4MK

Mapcode Global: VH3LK.ZZ03

Plus Code: 9C3QRRRW+JW

Entry Name: Ice House of Middleton Hall

Listing Date: 19 May 1999

Last Amended: 19 May 1999

Grade: II

Source: Cadw

Source ID: 21754

Building Class: Domestic

ID on this website: 300021754

Location: 50m south-west of the corner gates of the walled garden of the former Middleton Hall.

County: Carmarthenshire

Town: Carmarthen

Community: Llanarthney (Llanarthne)

Community: Llanarthney

Locality: Middleton

Traditional County: Carmarthenshire

Tagged with: Architectural structure

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History

Late C18- or early-C19 ice-house, which first appears in the sale particulars of 1824. It is likely to have been constructed at the same time as, or shortly after, Middleton Hall, which was completed in 1795. Ice was probably gathered from Pwll yr Ardd, a pond shown on early maps about 200m distant. The ice-house is set well back from the pond edge, to be high enough above it for drainage.
The ice house was restored by Dyfed County Council in 1987. It is now in the care of the National Botanic Garden and being prepared as a bat colony habitat.

Exterior

Two low stonework wing walls, slightly converging, lead to the brickwork tunnel entrance. There is no noticeable mound, as the ice-house has been excavated into a pre-existing bank.

Interior

A brickwork-lined and domed chamber of about 3m diameter, extending 3m below entrance level. The top of the dome is a stone of about 0.5m diameter. At the bottom there is a sump and soakaway to drain melt-water away from the ice. The entrance passage to the right side of the chamber is about 3m long, formed in brickwork, and originally incorporated three doors, of which only slots in the walls for the frames remain. There is a modern security grille at the inner access position.

Reasons for Listing

A particularly well preserved example of this building type.

External Links

External links are from the relevant listing authority and, where applicable, Wikidata. Wikidata IDs may be related buildings as well as this specific building. If you want to add or update a link, you will need to do so by editing the Wikidata entry.

Recommended Books

Other nearby listed buildings

II Rear stable block of Middleton Hall
At the rear of the main stable block.
II Stable Block of Middleton Hall
About 200m NW of the Great Glass House of the National Botanic Garden. The site is on the axis of Trawscoed, the building which was a service wing of Middleton Hall, and its walled domestic yard. The
II Service Yard and Gateway of Middleton Hall
100m north of the Great Glass House of the National Botanic Gardens. Attached to the surviving service wing of Middleton Hall.
II Brynhawddgar
Opposite to the north-west entrance to the National Botanic Garden, north of a road junction. Monolith limestone gatepiers; late C19 cross-braced gate with iron palings.
II Milestone near Wernbongam
At the north-east side of the B4310 beside the entrance to Glen, 1km west of Middleton Hall
II Pont Felin-gât
Near the North Lodge of Middleton Park, crossing the Afon Gwynon.
II Bridge above Waterfall in Middleton Park
In Coed Pont Felin, the north part of Middleton Hall Park, 400m south-east of Pont Felin-gât, on the Afon Gwynon. The river for about 70m below the bridge was held by a limestone rubble dam, creating
II Weir in Middleton Park
In Coed Pont Felin, the north part of Middleton Hall Park, 500m south-east of Pont Felin-gât, on the Afon Gwynon.

British Listed Buildings

History in Structure

Ice House of Middleton Hall

A Grade II Listed Building in Llanarthney (Llanarthne), Carmarthenshire