The corridors at Ickworth hold the secrets of servants who have looked after the resident Hervey family since 1829. Based on oral archives gathered by our researchers since the 1980's, today the Servants' Quarters tells the stories of those who lived and worked here in the 1930s, looking after the 4th Marquess and Marchioness of Bristol.
Modernisation
By 1910 the 4th Marchioness of Bristol, Lady Theodora Hervey, a lady of considerable inherited fortune, became concerned by the hardships of her servants and over the years did much to improve living conditions. She renovated the Rotunda servants quarters with the latest technology such as electric light and hot water boilers. As well as installing new bathrooms. Though the servants during this time undoubtedly had a hard life looking after the family all hours of day and night, our research reveals a good relationship between the servants and Lady Theodora. She was also probably the first lady of the house to visit the servants in the basement, going down to the kitchen to consult with the cook and taking morning prayers for the female servant.
Hands on exploration
As you wander downstairs through the corridors and rooms, you’ll discover life in the 1930s. It’s a real hands on experience - you can open the drawers and have a rummage, discover the tools and materials that would have been used by the servants and even tap out a letter on an original 1930's typewriter – the best question we've had is "where's the screen?". It was not all hard work of course. In the Servants’ Hall, you’ll find a shove ha’penny board scored into the dining table, you can play cards, bagatelle or tiddlywinks, bash out a tune out on the piano or sit and relax with a 30’s newspaper or magazine.
