Christmas at Ickworth

November Nostalgia: A 1930s Christmas

17th November - 30th November 2025, 11am-3pm

Join us in the Servants' Quarters as we get ready for the festive season. During the last two weeks of November, while the upper floors of the Rotunda are closed, we are opening up our basements for a special 1930s experience which will have visitors immersed in Ickworth's history below stairs.

We invite you to join us as we stir up nostalgia through costumed interpretation, traditional preparation such as mixing the Christmas pudding, making paper decorations and cleaning the house ready for parties. This glimpse into the life below stairs of the 1930s will bring Christmas traditions of the past to life. The basements will be decked out ready for the approaching festivities, children can get stuck in helping to make the paper chains or chatting to the 'servants' as they work, and there will even be audio recordings from real past inhabitants who would have lived through the 30s and 40s at Ickworth. Experience their story brought to life and get ready for Christmas.

March Hare Collective Christmas Craft Fair

22 - 23 November, 10am - 4pm

Join us for a Christmas fair featuring high quality crafts made by local artisans. The March Hare Collective supports local, Suffolk-based artists, designers and makers. Come along to a special Christmas craft fair in the West Wing Gallery where these artists will be showcasing their crafts.

On the 22 & 23 November there will be a selection of stalls laden with handmade goodies to browse. Find the perfect pieces for Christmas presents or something to treat yourself.

Winter Adventures: The Snow Leopard of Ickworth

From 1st December 2025 - 5th January 2026 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Family trail in the Italianate Garden 10am - 4.30pm and Rotunda open 11am - 3pm, no booking required.

 This Christmas the Ickworth Snow Leopard comes to life in a festive family-friendly adventure as he explores Ickworth after dark, leaving a delightful trail of mayhem and snow in his wake. Follow Shadow’s journey of mishaps and adventures through the Rotunda and in the Stumpery in the Italianate Garden, discover his encounters and friendships with the local wildlife in this heart-warming snowy winter’s tale he’ll never forget. 

The story of Shadow the snow leopard and his festive escapades was written by Beth Davidson who has worked at Ickworth for two years as part of the visitor welcome team. Visitors had often asked Beth about the cat-like creature on the Hervey (the family that owned and built Ickworth) family crest and after a lot of curiosity and a bit of digging, Beth soon discovered that the mysterious creature is an ‘Ounce’, more commonly known as a snow leopard, and represents strength and courage. 

“A snow leopard at Ickworth?! How strange! How magical!” said Beth. “I could feel a story spinning and a curious creature coming to life. We thought it was about time to give our snow leopard his very own tale (or tail!) this Christmas.”
 

Opening times

Ickworth Estate is open from 9am - 5pm across the parkland.

Normal admission charges apply for access to Ickworth Estate. Free for National Trust members. You don't need additional tickets for the Christmas events.

During November Nostalgia the upper floors of the house will be closed and the basements will be open from 11am-3pm each day.

During Winter Adventures the upper floors will be open from 11am-3pm each day.

The family trail will be available in the Italianate Garden (assistance dogs only) between 10am and 4.30pm.

The West Wing cafe and shop are open from 10am-4pm daily.

Please note: Ickworth Estate is closed 24 - 25 December.