Restored icehouse open for first time in 100 years

An historical landmark can be entered for the first time in 100 years following reconstruction work which began in 2021.

The icehouse at Knole, is part of the National Trust site in Sevenoaks, Kent.

It is a brick-built, dome-shaped building originally designed to store ice for food preservation, believed to date back to the early 1700s or the late 1600s.

A viewing platform has been installed as part of the reconstruction and the icehouse can now be seen on a guided tour.

The icehouse was used until the 1930s, at which point electricity was introduced into the main house.

Later the entrance was demolished and the vaulted passageway was backfilled.

Work to conserve and repair the icehouse began four years ago, and in January 2022, the entrance was excavated.

The curved entry walls and archway have been reconstructed, while wrought iron gates have been installed at the entrance.

A total of 648 bricks reclaimed from the original structure have been used in the repairs.

Alongside guided walks being held on 29 July and 7 October, the icehouse will be open to visitors on 28 July, when a Lego recreation of the landmark will be on display.

Luke Hutchinson, welcome and service assistant at Knole who has won various Lego master builder competitions, said it was "an opportunity to do something different".

The icehouse's conical shape, domed roof and depth below the surface made it a challenge to build with Lego bricks," he said.

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