Exploring Ickworth

Ickworth House was designed to impress and entertain on a grand scale. It was built as an 18th century palace to showcase the many treasures and art collected by the Earl Bishop. Visitors can explore Ickworth with daily tours (except Wednesdays)

Life below Stairs - Discover the different staff that lived and worked at Ickworth in the 1930s. Learn about how Theodora ran the House, her relationships with servants and some of the housemaids personal lives.

Torchlight - Ickworth houses one of the finest collections of 18th century family portraits in the National Trust by renowned artists such as Reynolds, Gainsborough, and Hogarth. Using our ‘magic torches’ discover another side to our magnificent paintings and learn how they came to be at Ickworth. Explore Theodora's role as a custodian and collector, and the legacy she left Ickworth.

'Conservation Sneak Peek' on Wednesdays in March & September - These tours are a ‘unique sneak peek’ for those lucky enough to attend them.  Tours of the ground floor State Rooms offer a rare opportunity to explore conservation works.

State Rooms - Learn how the 4th Marquess and Marchioness of Bristol developed Ickworth for their staff and future generations.

Ickworth Voices - Explore the unique experience of hearing the voices of many of the people who lived and worked at Ickworth in the 1930’s. Listen to their living conditions, their relationships with one another and with their employers, the Hervey family. Learn about the social changes that were happening at the time and the changing attitudes of the people who worked “in service”.

Afternoon Garden tour - Discover the world outdoors and learn about the garden and estate, from the largest Walled Garden in the East of England to the earliest surviving example of an Italianate garden. The 1st Marquess designed the gardens as pleasure grounds for his family and guests to enjoy.

All tours subject to availability – self-led by volunteers.