Ickworth House might sit firmly in Suffolk, but I’ll let that slide for the sake of a cracking day out. When you hear whispers of fascinating architecture, beautiful grounds and a second-hand bookshop, it’s hard not to be tempted by a good National Trust day out across the border.
So The Chap and I boldly went off into the unknown, crossing county lines in search of something a little different. No passports required – just a decent flask and an open mind.
The drive from Norwich took just over an hour, winding through some of the prettiest parts of Norfolk and Suffolk. Thatched cottages, village greens, pastel-hued houses and hedgerow-lined lanes all made for a scenic journey, the sort that makes you want to stop the car every ten minutes for a photo. The Ickworth Estate itself sits just outside Bury St Edmunds, and there was plenty of parking when we arrived – even though it was clearly a popular spot on a sunny spring day.
Amenities at the Ickworth Estate
There are two cafés on site. One is tiny, tucked away in the Porter’s Lodge. It’s a bit of a squeeze when busy and service was slow. Instead, we opted instead for the main café near the Italianate Garden for lunch. It’s much more spacious and the outdoor seating area is a real treat on a mild day. You’re surrounded by trees and gravel paths. The gentle chatter of fellow visitors and the occasional clink of teaspoons provides the soundtrack.
As you’d expect from the National Trust, the menu is full of comforting favourites. From scones and soups to sausage rolls and cakes, there was plenty to choose from, plus a few rotating specials. There’s a generous supply of tea and coffee, and they offer 25% off hot drinks if you bring a reusable cup.
The second-hand bookshop isn’t quite on a par with Blickling Hall’s treasure trove, but it still worked its magic. The shelves were well stocked, the prices kind, and I left with four new additions to the bedside stack. The Chap emerged with two, both chosen with the usual deliberation.
Roaming round Ickworth House
Ickworth House itself dates from 1795, when work first began on the neoclassical design. Approaching it, you’re struck by its symmetry and scale. It’s not often you see a rotunda in the Suffolk countryside. The entrance sets the tone: polished dark wood panelling, weighty doors and a striking marble sculpture titled The Fury of Athamas, which brings a mythological drama to the threshold.
One of my favourite spaces was the Pompeii-style room. It was completely unexpected and all the more delightful for it. The frescoes, based on those unearthed in Pompeii, burst with colour and life. It felt theatrical and slightly eccentric, but joyful too. It was as though someone had tried to bring the sunlight of Italy to Suffolk.
Elsewhere, the house is full of treasures. The library was a highlight, home to a copy of the Baskerville Bible with its distinctive typeface and rich history. Paintings by Titian, Dürer, Hogarth and Gainsborough line the walls, joined by silver, busts and a scattering of other beautiful oddities. The Hervey family, who built and lived in the house, were collectors through and through and it shows in every corner.
The volunteer guides were some of the best we’ve encountered too. Every room had someone ready to share a story, whether about a painting’s journey, a piece of family gossip, or an odd detail you might have otherwise missed. In the upstairs corridor, there’s a portrait of Henrietta who, true to the cliché, really does seem to follow you with her eyes. It was just unsettling enough to keep us moving.
As you go around, the story of the Herveys begins to unfold. Full of character, ambition, scandal and flair, their history is as intriguing as any novel. It adds context to the Ickworth too, reminding you that this wasn’t just a house of art and architecture, but of people with lives as messy and marvellous as anyone’s.
Exploring Ickworth Park
Outside, the grounds of the Ickworth Estate are vast and more than we could hope to cover in a single visit. Instead, we stuck to the formal Italianate Garden and a short circular route through part of the parkland, but there’s so much more to see. The Walled Garden was being prepared for summer, rows of seedlings and sprouting borders giving a hint of what’s to come.
One of the estate’s walks stretches close to 10km, and that’s now firmly on the list for a return trip. All of it is set in classic Suffolk countryside complete with rolling hills, wide skies and soft colours. On the day we visited, the sun lit the river like glass, the fields were flush with green and the trees were just beginning to leaf. There was a quiet stillness to it that made the whole landscape feel like something out of a Wordsworth poem. Yes, I was getting all poetic before I left!
Planning your visit to Ickworth Suffolk
- Location: Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
- Driving time from Norwich: Around 1 hour
- Parking: Plenty available, included in admission
- Opening times:
- Gardens, parkland and cafés: Usually open daily from 9am
- House: Check the National Trust website for seasonal opening times
- Ticket prices:
- Adults: £18
- Children: £9
- Family and one-adult family tickets are also available
- Free for National Trust members
- Facilities:
- Two cafés (the main café has outdoor seating)
- Second-hand bookshop
- Toilets and baby-changing
- Gift shop
- Accessible routes and mobility scooter hire available
Top tip: Bring a reusable cup for 25% off hot drinks at the café.
