Monument record IPS 749 - Icehouse at Holywells Park, Ipswich.

2013: A small scale excavation on the suspected location of an icehouse within Holywells Park, Ipswich, was undertaken by members of the Friends of Holywells Park. The main aim was to confirm if an icehouse was present on this site and, if discovered, make a basic assessment of its current condition with a view to possible restoration. Two roughly rectangular test pits were excavated which revealed a circular brick structure, approximately 4m in diameter, parts of a covering brick dome and a short brick built tunnel, all of which are undoubtedly parts of a 19th century icehouse. The structure appears to be complete and in relatively good condition although a hole has been broken through the roof and the interior filled with soil. (Recorded by Mark Sommers, Suffolk County Council Archaeological Service for Ipswich Borough Council) (S1).

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2013 (S4)

2015: Further Excavation, (S2).

2015:Refurbishment of the former stable block revealed two separate underground chambers constructed of red brick, both of which contained boilers for heating water. Map regression indicates that these structures were located under former 19th century glasshouses, which would suggest that their purpose was for heating the glasshouses to enable the cultivation of exotic plants. A service trench excavated between the stable block and an extant glasshouse to the west (the orangery) revealed a red brick wall base and a covered well associated with the former mansion house that was demolished in the early 1960s.

The presence of a 19th century icehouse within the park was confirmed during earlier exploratory works. It was entirely backfilled but is being excavated by volunteers from the Friends of Holywells Park group with the ultimate aim of full restoration and presentation. The entrance tunnel has been fully cleared and soil to a depth of c.2m had been removed from within the chamber.

Included in the Proceedings of the Suffolk Institute of Archaeology and History annual round up of individual finds and discoveries for 2015