Historical parkland
Between 1700 and 1731 the 1st Earl created a park worthy of the Hervey name. As the original 13th-century deer-park had long since disappeared, Lord Bristol was forced to carve his new landscape out of a network of small fields.

Tenants were removed from over 1,200 acres of surrounding land, and given new homes in Horringer village. Buildings were demolished and old agricultural boundaries grassed over. By 1706 deer could be reintroduced to the park, protected by new groves and plantations within a lengthy paling fence.

Further improvements were made between 1769 and 1776, when the 2nd Earl employed Capability Brown. Unfortunately Brown’s account books do not describe the work done, but he probably concentrated on improving the approach to Ickworth Lodge, and on laying out the ornamental woodland which forms the bones of the present Albana Walk.

The main drive from Horringer may well have been Brown’s work, with its carefully framed views to and from the Lodge. More surprisingly, Brown also seems to have created vistas radiating from the proposed site for Ickworth House – perhaps anticipating the plans he drew up for the Earl-Bishop in 1781–2.

Present Parkland
Whereas the 18th-century parkland had been designed to incorporate views of the surrounding countryside, the 19th-century owners of Ickworth sought to enclose the park within a dense belt of plantations.

The 1st Marquess employed contract labour to create a series of new woods along the boundary, and to provide a setting for the Obelisk, erected in 1817 to the memory of the Earl-Bishop by the people of Derry. This planting regime was continued by the 3rd Marquess, ensuring that the house was screened from all directions, with only the very top of the Rotunda visible from distant roads.

The Fairy Lake at the south-east corner of the park is also thought to have been created by the 3rd Marquess, and once contained an ornamental boathouse. His successor, the 4th Marquess, was an enthusiastic amateur tree surgeon, who frequently surprised visitors to the park by greeting them from the upper branches.

Further information
There is a range of waymarked walks, a family cycle route, a trim trail, and the deer enclosure - all in the Park. Distances range form 1/2 mile to seven miles for the really keen. Maps can be obtained at the property.