Houghton Ice Hill

Has been described as a Rejected Timber Castle (Motte)

There are earthwork remains

NameHoughton Ice Hill
Alternative Names
Historic CountryNorfolk
Modern AuthorityNorfolk
1974 AuthorityNorfolk
Civil ParishHoughton

Possible castle, large mound used for an ice house. (King)

An 18th century icehouse situated in parkland at the Houghton Hall estate. A 34 metre long tunnel leads to a brick groin-vaulted outer chamber, which was probably used as a game larder. A door leads through to the ice chamber, which is domed with a flat central roof panel. The whole structure is built of brick within a mound of earth 5.2 metres high, which is covered in trees. (PastScape)

Gatehouse Comments

This is neat moundin a prominent position in a high status park. The mound is close to but not inline with a formal view from Houghton Hall. The mound is close to the church which is only remains of Houghton village. However seems fairly clear was constructed as a insulating mound over an icehouse in the C18.

- Philip Davis

Not scheduled

This is a Grade 2 listed building protected by law

Historic England Scheduled Monument Number
Historic England Listed Building number(s)
Images Of England
Historic England (PastScape) Defra or Monument number(s)
County Historic Environment Record
OS Map Grid ReferenceTF797287
Latitude52.82666015625
Longitude0.666480004787445
Eastings579740
Northings328780
HyperLink HyperLink HyperLink

No photos available. If you can provide pictures please contact Castlefacts

Most of the sites or buildings recorded in this web site are NOT open to the public and permission to visit a site must always be sought from the landowner or tenant.

Calculate Print

Books

  • Cushion, B. and Davison, A., 2003, Earthworks of Norfolk (Dereham: East Anglian Archaeology 104) p. 48, 50 (plan)
  • Liddiard, R., 2000, Landscapes of Lordship (British Archaeological Reports British Series 309) p. 16 (Rejected)
  • King, D.J.C., 1983, Castellarium Anglicanum (London: Kraus) Vol. 2 p. 310