Upcoming Events
Ice House Summer Nights
FREE
Great Yarmouth Beer and Circus Festival
£3
About The Ice House
A Grade II listed building of brick construction with a thatched roof, the Great Yarmouth Ice House, once one of a pair, is now the only one of its kind left in the country. As support and investment have been raised, Out There Arts has been developing the project and is set to realise it in full throughout the rest of the year and beyond. After years of careful restoration, it is now reimagined as a bold cultural centre for creativity, heritage, and community.
The building has been repurposed into an arts and circus training hub, with a unique interior ideal for fluid movement and a collaborative focus. This imaginative and creative use of the building will further develop the town’s reputation as the capital of circus in the UK as well as further link the town’s fishing and circus heritage.
The Ice House is now a national centre for outdoor arts and circus, thanks to a £2M grant from National Lottery Heritage Fund. Further funding for the project includes £450,000 from Great Yarmouth Town Deal Funded by HM Government, £350,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund, £50,000 from the Great Yarmouth Borough Council and £20,000 from Brineflow as well as match funding from Out There Arts who are managing the project.
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The History
The historic building, located at the Southtown end of Haven bridge, built between 1851 and 1892 was originally a key asset in the town’s fishing industry.
In the mid 19th century the landmark Ice House was at the forefront of an industrial revolution that would see the town’s fortunes soar. It was built at the same time as Southtown railway station, meaning freshly caught fish could be packed using the ice stored in the building and transported to London’s Billingsgate fish market, reaching a whole new consumer base. With a capacity for over 42,500 cubic metres, packed ice could stay frozen for months ensuring a steady supply of fresh herring to the capital and beyond. However, advances in modern technologies saw it overtaken and overlooked, serving for a time as a grain store for JH Bunn who also renovated it in 1980.
Watch the Documentary
The full documentary on The Ice House – a historic Grade II listed building located on Great Yarmouth, Norfolk’s historic quay. Supported by National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Fun Facts!
Fish Fingers!
The coat of arms origially just had fish on it, to symbolise its prosperous fishing industry. Edward III allowed lions (a royal symbol) to be added in thanks for the help Great Yarmouth fishermen had given him at the Battle of Sluys in 1347
Evacuate troops from Dunkirk, saving many lives
Bird Poo!
Four gold herrings
Farting! A burst pulse sounds comes from the herring’s swim bladder, via its bottom. It is believed that herrings use this to communicate with the rest of their shoals.
The Ice House: Past, Present and Future book
Download
GETTING HERE.
How do I get to an Ice House event/ where can I park?
Or here’s some practical information:
Car:
Car Parks close to The Ice House:
Stonecutters Quay Car Park, NR30 1JB (5 min walk, free after 4pm)
Greyfriars Car Park, NR30 2QE (10 min walk)
Howard Street Car Park, NR30 1LN (10 min walk, free after 4pm)
Market Gates multi-storey NR30 4BQ (20 min walk)
Palmers Car Park, NR30 3JP (15 min walk)
King Street Car Park, NR30 2PS (15 min walk)
Train:
Abellio Greater Anglia run regular services from Norwich to Great Yarmouth. Check out their website here.
Bus:
First Eastern Counties, X1 Service from Lowestoft and Norwich run regularly on Saturdays and Sundays. Plan your magical mystery tour here. Anglian Buses also run regular services from Norwich and east coast areas. Find out more here.
All buses arrive at Market Gates, a few minutes north of The Drill House.
Booking Information
BOOKING TICKETS
Out There Arts events, workshops and classes are booked online and processed through our ticket sales provider, TicketSolve. Some partner events may take you to an external booking site.
If you have any problems booking online, please call 01493 745458
EXCHANGES & REFUNDS
Once purchased, tickets can not be exchanged or refunded unless event/classes are cancelled by Out There Arts.
ACCESS
To ensure that our visit is as smooth as possible, please advise of any access needs during the booking process.
FOOD & DRINK
Food & drink is available at most events from The Ice House Bar. Externally purchased food and drink is not permitted to be consumed at The Drill House. Only water to be brought for classes.
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