Geograph - photograph every grid square

Before the introduction of mechanical refrigeration during the 19th century, many country houses built cold stores such as these in their grounds. A partially excavated and domed structure, insulated with earth and growing turf and shaded in summer by tall, leafy trees would be filled with crushed ice (in this case perhaps carved from the pond to the west) to keep foods fresh through the warmer months. The building of NY3462 : Castletown House began in 1811, so the ice house and pond were probably constructed around that date as the grounds were being laid out. For a wider view of the location see NY3462 : Woods at Castletown.