In 2020, Ickworth completed a major conservation project to repair the roof of the Rotunda, a classic Italianate building which has been standing proud in the Suffolk countryside since 1795. By undertaking a programme of urgent repairs, we’ve ensured the future of this iconic building for years to come. Find out more about the Ickworth Uncovered project.
The multimillion-pound project to repair the Rotunda roof was the single biggest piece of conservation work that Ickworth has ever seen, and was made possible thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund, Arts Council England and the Wolfson Foundation, alongside a fundraising appeal and the support of National Trust members.
Before construction work could begin, we moved 2,500 collection items into storage to keep them safe during the work – which including mending leaks, adding lightning protection and re-tiling the entire roof of the Rotunda.
As the Rotunda was covered in scaffolding for the duration of the work, we named the project Ickworth Uncovered, in anticipation of the day the Rotunda would be revealed again.
– Chloe Woodrow, Property Curator at Ickworth
Throughout August and September 2020, the last areas of roof repairs were completed, and the scaffolding was removed, revealing the Rotunda for the first time in over a year.
You can now see the Rotunda in all its glory on a visit to Ickworth. To follow the progress of Ickworth Uncovered from start to finish, read the project timeline below, which was updated at key moments of the project.
31 Aug 2020
After the last areas of the roof were finished, we started to uncover the Rotunda, which had been covered with 270 miles of scaffolding for more than a year. Dismantling the scaffolding took five weeks and required an 80ft crane to remove parts of it. For the first time, the new roof was revealed.
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Discover the house and the treasures collected by the flamboyant 4th Earl of Bristol at Ickworth, a magnificent Italianate palace in the heart of Suffolk.
Ickworth's garden was the first of its kind in the UK. Designed for privacy, space and freedom, it's a distillation of the gardens of classical Italy given an individual English touch.
Explore the parkland at Ickworth, encircled with layers of history, landscape and classic architecture. Enjoy space, freedom and inspiring views as you wander at your leisure.
Ickworth is home to one of the most important collections of 18th-century silver in Europe. Learn more about the collection at Ickworth in Suffolk.
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