Bibliography - R. G. Martin
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Petworth House Ice-House, by R. G. Martin, published 1983 in Sussex Industrial History (No. 13, article, pp.15-21) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525]   Download PDF

Ice-Houses and Ice-Wells were a common feature in large country estates in the 18th and 19th centuries. Ice was collected from convenient stretches of water and was stacked in the chamber often packed in straw. The ice was used throughout the year in the kitchens for cooling and preservation. During the second half of the 19th century ice was imported from Scandinavia or manufactured locally. Most domestic Ice-Houses were comparatively small with a single sunken circular chamber 2½ - 3 m (8ft - 10ft) in diameter and about 3 m (10 ft) deep, with a domed roof. Loading was normally through a hatch in the roof and the ice was removed through a horizontal tunnel with double doors. Melt water was discharged through a drain from the lowest part of the base. They were built mainly below ground or into the side of a bank and were covered with earth to increase insulation.

Ice Houses and the Commercial Ice Trade in Brighton, by R. G. Martin, published 1984 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 14, article, pp.18-24) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506525]   Download PDF

In Britain the practice of storing ice in specially constructed chambers was started in the 17th century and continued up to the early 20th century. At first ice was collected exclusively from local ponds and lakes and was placed in the private Ice Houses of large estates where, if properly insulated, it would last the year through. These Ice Houses were usually built partly or wholly below ground, typically with a cylindrical pit of about 3 metres in diameter and 6 metres deep with a domed top. An entrance passage, horizontal or with steps leading down was often used for access and occasionally a Loading shaft through the top. Materials used were usually brick but other local materials such as clunch, sandstone and flint rubble were also used. An Ice House of a much larger character at Petworth House was described in Sussex Industrial History No. 13, (1983), pp. 15 - 21 by the author. The expressions 'Ice Well' and 'Ice House' are synonymous.

The Offham Chalkpit Tramway and Incline - A Survey and Description, by R. G. Martin, published 1985 in Sussex Industrial History (issue no. 15, article, pp.11-15) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16389/15] & The Keep [LIB/506525]   Download PDF

The tramway at the Offham Chalkpit extended from the chalk pit base level down to a branch off the Upper Ouse Navigation known as Chalkpit Cut. It was built in 1809 and is shown on the First Edition of the 25 inch Ordnance Survey map published in 1873, but on the Second Edition, dated 1898 there is no sign of the tramway and the chalk pit is described as "disused".