Built by William Champion to take ice in the winter from his 13 acre lake in his gardens. But why was it so large?
This enormous domed circular chamber, mostly underground, is known to have been used in the 19th century to store ice from the lake for use in the house. Some also went to the fish market in Bristol. The original purpose for this huge structure is uncertain but there is no reason to believe that Willam Champion did not also use it as an ice house.
Only a small portion of the rounded wall may be seen inside the Museum building, as the bulk of the ice house is on private property.
The vast size of the ice-house indicates that its origins were industrial or commercial. An estimated 250 tons of crushed ice could be stored in the chamber. The ice would be taken from the adjacent 13 acre lake during the winter months.
