Explore the house at Ickworth

Christmas at Ickworth Estate

2 December - 2 January | 10am - 4pm | Free*

Staged Splendour

Saturday 2 December to Tuesday 2 January | 11am - 3pm | Free

Join us this December as Ickworth is transformed into a truly Georgian theatre. Known for their love of the theatre, lavish parties, and get-togethers at Christmas, they liked to celebrate for an entire month.

Visit Ickworth from Saturday 2 December to Tuesday 2 January to experience an estate completely transformed by the Georgians most popular festive traditions. From the Age of the Theatre to Masquerade Balls, we will be celebrating the outrageous, excessive and, at times, garish nature of the Georgians celebrations.

Step into the Rotunda for a lavish experience at the theatre and revel in the glorious indulgence of the Christmas festivities that await you, from an extravagant dining set to immersive theatrical staging throughout. Be inspired by Georgian traditions and their love for a festive get together!

Normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members. Ickworth Estate is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Visiting the house during winter

30 October 2023 - 1 March 2024

During the winter we complete most of our conservation work in the house and close to free-flow visits during the week to give it a chance to rest.

Weekdays | Monday to Friday

Free-flow is closed but you can explore the house and basement on one of our guided tours. Discover the story of Ickworth, the people that lived there and how we look after this amazing place and its stunning collection. These are free and to guarentee a spot please pre-book, or you can speak to the team at the Welcome Point upon arrival.

Weekends | Saturday and Sunday

The state rooms only are open to explore between 11am and 3pm.

December | 2 December - 2 January | Daily except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day

Celebrate the season as we dress the house for an immersive indulgent Georgian experience at the theatre. Visit our Christmas page for more information.

A home of great art

Built as an 18th-century palace to showcase the many treasures and art collected by the Earl Bishop, who survived two older brothers to unexpectedly inherit the Estate in 1779. You can explore time and time again to uncover unique treasures, art and the stories of this extraordinary family and their staff.

Raising the roof

In 2018-20, Ickworth’s biggest ever roof conservation project was undertaken to protect the grand Rotunda and all of its treasures. With the roof wrapped in 270 miles of scaffold, 2,500 objects moved in the house and 30,000 slates replaced, it was a huge undertaking. When you visit, take time to marvel at the new roof in all its glory.

The flamboyant 4th Earl of Bristol

The house you see today is the vision of the 4th Earl of Bristol, known as the Earl Bishop. He was descended from a rather eccentric family. His father John, Lord Hervey, third son of the 1st Earl of Bristol, was bisexual and a notorious and prominent figure at George II’s Court. His mother was the beautiful Mary 'Molly' Lepel, a former lady-in-waiting to Queen Caroline.

A masterpiece is conceived

The Earl Bishop, upon inheriting the estate, was keen to follow the latest styles and aspired to build a house that would in his own words unite ‘magnificence with convenience.' Started in 1795, the building was still just a shell when he died in 1803 and his son was left to complete his vision.

He had spent his life travelling in Europe and secured a vast collection of art and treasures. Sadly, his collection was confiscated by Napoleonic troops in 1798 and he spent the remainder of his days trying to recover his losses. His son, the 5th Earl who later became the 1st Marquess, took over the building project and eventually moved in with his family in 1829.

From magnificent house to family home

The original concept of a magnificent central house with two wings as galleries was changed by the 5th Earl, who settled upon making the East Wing the family home and the central Rotunda as the gallery to impress visitors and also for grand entertaining.

The focal point of the main hall today is a large sculpture of The Fury of Athamas depicting a Greek tragedy of madness and murder. The Earl Bishop commissioned the statue from John Flaxman, a promising young sculptor, for his envisioned sculpture gallery.

A servants’ life

Life as a servant was subject to the whims of the resident family and their guests; it was hard work with incredibly long hours. There was a strict hierarchy among the servants and life could be incredibly tough.

Modernisation

By 1910 the 4th Marchioness of Bristol, Lady Theodora Hervey, became concerned by the hardships of her servants and over the years did much to improve living conditions. You will discover how she used her large inheritance to renovate the Rotunda servants’ quarters with electric lights, hot water boilers and new bathrooms.

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 discover the tools and materials that would have been used by the servants.

It wasn’t 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 on the piano or sit and relax with a 1930s newspaper or magazine.