Ice House Initial Excavation Weekend
04 October 2025
Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October.
We plan to run an initial trench across the remains of the ice house at Tarradale on Saturday 4th and Sunday 5th October. This is shown on the 1904 OS and therefore likely dates to the late 19th C.
This is located on the western boundary of the barrow field adjacent to the lane that runs down the west side of the grounds of Tarradale House. At present this is represented by a hollow a few metres square on the verge of the barrow field. It is close to the pond within the grounds of Tarradale House and I would suggest that ice was collected from the pond and stored in the ice house a few metres away. Exactly what the ice comprised of would be the purpose of the excavation. We are familiar with elaborate stone built ice houses covering a deep pit, but there were also much simpler ones with a pit covered with straw to insulate the ice. Even if the Tarradale ice house was little more than a hole in the ground with no surviving structural remains, there is the possibility that it was used as a rubbish dump afterwards. I would propose initially taking trench across the site and then make a decision as to what further excavation may be necessary.
If you would like to help, please reply letting me know which day (s) you can be there. Usual day; 10am - 4 pm approx. Initially, we are just opening this up to previous Tarradale excavators - james@comacodirect.com