Ickworth House – National Trust

Address: The Rotunda, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE

Parking: Ample – Included in admission price – free for National Trust members

Accessibility: Green – all paths well firm, flat and well made

Website: Click Here to Visit

Located near Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, Ickworth House is one of the most unusual and architecturally daring country houses in the UK. It is managed by the National Trust, and it is famous for its massive central Rotunda. The house itself is dominated by a very imposing, 100-foot-high domed Rotunda, that was commissioned in 1795 by Frederick Hervey, the 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry who owned the house at the time.

The grounds of the estate cover over 1,800 acres of “Capability” Brown style landscape. They are perfect for walking, cycling, and spotting the resident herd of deer due to the good network of paths, all of which are easily accessible. As you reach the fat side of the estate the view out over the hills are stunning. The views over the countryside and house were described by Mrs Countryside Walks last year as looking like something out of Pride and Prejudice.

Asides from walking round the grounds of Ickworth House, there is plenty to see with the house, as well as the Italianate Gardens, which are reported to be some of the earliest examples of their kind in the UK. The gardens feature a Mediterranean Temple Garden as well as a Victorian Stumpery which is an artistic arrangement of upturned tree roots.

Facilities at Ickworth House:

As you would expect for a National Trust property it is well developed to cvater for all of it’s visitors.

There is the Porter’s Lodge cafe which serves a selection of hot and cold drinks, snack and ice cream. We didn’t try it when we visited but it was busy and also dog friendly so that is no bad thing. There is also the west wing cafe which serves a similar selection, although this is not dog friendly due to the fact it is in part of the house.

Throughout there are also three blocks of toilets including accessible ones available the estate, although the ones in the walled garden are closed in Winter.

As a couple we certainly enjoyed our day out visiting here last year and will aim to do it again later this year.