Ice Heritage Weekend 25th-26th July2026

Each year we take part in the Festival of Archaeology by running a weekend of ice-trade-heritage related activities, including the annual one-day opportunity for visitors to descend into the historic ice wells beneath the building, in carefully-managed groups with a guide. Commercial ice wells on the scale of ours are mostly inaccessible and ours is unique in preservation with occasional access. Ice well visits and boat trips have to be booked in advance online to avoid disappointment - bookings will be available well in advance.

This year Ice Heritage Weekend is 25th and 26th July 2026.

Saturday 25th July

A day of family activities, details to be announced

There will be boat trips available that must be booked in advance on our boat trips page. Not yet open for booking.

Sunday 26th July

Boat trips are available to book on our boat trips page.

About the ice well visits

Climbing down into the ice wells involves climbing down and back up a two-stage ladder so it is essential that people who wish to descend are fully fit to do this and able to use a ladder confidently. We will refuse access to anyone who in our opinion is not fit enough to confidently go underground or who is not wearing suitable footwear. This is an adult event and the minimum age is 12 years. Teenagers 12-15 must descend with an adult.

There are some important things to be aware of before booking this:

• Decent is at your own risk
• You must wear shoes that give your feet some propection and cannot fall off, so no sandals or loose-fitting shoes are permitted
• If you have any sort of medical condition that could incapacitate you unexpectedly, you must not go down
• You might get dirty. Do not wear your best clothes
• You will be required to wear a hard "bump" cap (provided) because there is a low ceiling on the way down and you may knock your head
• No bags or luggage can be taken down, but small things like cameras on a strap are acceptable. Both your hands must be free to hold on to the ladder.Staff will look after your bag.
• If you also book a boat trip on the same day, please leave plenty of time between the two things. Boats can be delayed, and ice well tours may not keep completely to the schedule although we will do our best. For example if on the 1420 ice well tour you should not be on the 1500 boat!!
• Needless to say, please arrive in good time. You have a whole museum to explore. If you miss your booked tour there is no guarantee that you will be able to join a later tour.