HIDDEN in the picturesque grounds of Worden Park, in Leyland, is an ancient structure that could be mistaken for an old shed!

It lies beyond the formal gardens in front of Worden Hall and was once a chilly storage area for ice.

The Ice House was a common feature in many 17th century country houses and was used to provide ice for domestic use. However while the ice was cold enough, it was only used for packing food in the pantry as it contained too many impurities for human consumption.

While vandalism forced the Ice House to be closed for many years, it was cleared and restored to its former glory around four years ago, and now forms part of a guided tour of the park with the installation of low lights to add a touch of realism.

The chamber inside the Ice House has a vaulted brick ceiling and, in the old days, the floor space was taken up with a well or pit, fifteen feet deep. It was brick lined and narrowing to a drain at the bottom to allow the melted ice water to seep away.

Ice gathered from the ponds during the winter and was filled into brick structure through the front entrance before it was tightly sealed. Decorative carvings on the front of the structure are much older than the building itself and it is believed that they originate from Leyland Parish Church.

One displays the Farington family crest, residents of Wooden Hall until the early part of this century.

To join a tour of Worden Ice House call the Parks department on (01772) 421109.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.