A monument to an extraordinary family at Ickworth

Ickworth house with its classical Rotunda, East and West Wings, forms the centrepiece of the Ickworth estate. It reflects its former owners, the Hervey Family’s tenacious spirit and has been preserved by the custodianship and influence of unconventional men and women over successive generations.

View of the gardens and the back of the Rotunda
A view of Ickworth Rotunda and wings through autumn leaves

Ickworth house designed to impress 

Discover the House, the flamboyant conceit of the 4th Earl of Bristol - a magnificent Italianate palace in the heart of Suffolk.

Research team Graham Ickworth

Discovering new stories at Ickworth 

The research team play a huge role at Ickworth in helping us tell our stories

Kirsty conservation cleaning

Conservation in action 

Our dedicated House and Conservation team are committed to caring for and conserving the vast collection at Ickworth, so it is here for years to come. Discover how they do this below and uncover a world behind the scenes.

Two Living History re-enactors dressed as housemaids in the Servants Hall

A servant's life at Ickworth 

Explore our Servants' Quarters and discover life as a servant in the 1930s, working in service for the Hervey family and their guests.

Explore the Hervey family and Ickworth's long history

Painting by Jean-Baptiste van Loo of John, 2nd Baron Hervey, holding his purse of office as George II's Lord Privy Seal

Who's who in the Hervey family 

The Hervey family history at Ickworth dates back to the mid 15th century. They each have an extraordinary story, here we take a peek at just a few who helped shaped the Ickworth we know today.

A painting of the Earl Bishop

A brief history of Ickworth 

Delve into Ickworth’s 750 year evolution. An estate created by the Hervey family and encircled in layers of history, landscape, people and classic architecture.