A relic of the days before mechanical refrigeration, the Ice Well, beside the Tarn in Mottingham, was built around 1760 as an ice store for Eltham Lodge.

Though it is some distance from the Lodge, the well was placed here so ice could be cut from the Tarn in winter and placed in the well, which is mostly underground, and the brick lining, shady situation and damp ground would keep the ice cool, allowing the affluent residents access to ice at a time when this was the last word in luxury.

Elfi

July 24, 2025

Hiking

A relic from the days before mechanical refrigeration, the Ice Well by the Tarn in Mottingham was built around 1760 as an ice storage facility for Eltham Lodge. Although located some distance from the lodge, it was built here so that ice could be harvested from the tarn during the winter and fed into the largely underground well. The brick lining, shady location, and damp ground kept the ice cool and gave wealthy residents access to ice at a time when it was the height of luxury.

Translated by

•

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Nearby routes

Best routes near Eltham Lodge Ice Well

5.0

(2)

hikers

1. Eltham Palace – Eltham Palace and Gardens loop from Falconwood

10.8km

02:48

70m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

4.5

(2)

hikers

2. Eltham Palace and Gardens – Eltham Palace and Gardens loop from Grove Park

9.60km

02:33

100m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

hikers

3. Eltham Lodge Ice Well – The Tarn loop from Mottingham

8.00km

02:06

70m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Navigate

Send to Phone

Save

Moderate

Details

Informations

Elevation 50 m

Weather

Today

Sunday 15 March

12°C

3°C

89 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 26.0 km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See nearby routes

Take Me There

Location: London, Greater London, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Cutty Sark

General James Wolfe Statue, Greenwich Park

All Saints' Church, Blackheath

Royal Observatory Greenwich

Museum of London Docklands and North Quay Promenade

Five Arches Bridge

View of the London Skyline from Avery Hill Park

View of London from Oxleas Wood Café

Grassy Field and Woodland Path

Petts Wood Memorial Stone

Charles Darwin Memorial, Downe Village

Rhododendron Path

Eltham Lodge Ice Well

1. Eltham Palace – Eltham Palace and Gardens loop from Falconwood

2. Eltham Palace and Gardens – Eltham Palace and Gardens loop from Grove Park

3. Eltham Lodge Ice Well – The Tarn loop from Mottingham

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Sign up or log in to keep exploring this route

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️