Visiting Ickworth Estate with the family

Summer of Play banner for Ickworth — Summer of Play at Ickworth Estate | © National Trust Images

There are lots of different family activities designed to help you explore and discover Ickworth Estate this summer. However you choose to spend your day with us, your adventure starts here.

Head outside and enjoy all that Ickworth Estate has to offer this Summer. Explore the Albana woodland with its leafy trails, or take a stroll through the parkland to discover the breathtaking views across the canal lake. Spend time with friends and family in the Italianate Garden and surround yourself with the season's warm, colourful blooms.

VAT reduction

Visitors can enjoy a day out for less with the National Trust this summer, following the Government’s temporary cut to VAT. From 25 June to 1 September 2026, you’ll pay less on admissions and on children’s meals in National Trust cafes, making the summer an even better time to make a visit!

Planning your family visit at a glance

There are toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities at the Welcome Point, on the lower ground floor of the West Wing near the second-hand bookshop and the Walled Garden (April to October only).

All of our parking spaces in the main car park are the same size, with the exception of blue-badge parking spaces.
The multi-use trail, Geraldine's, Erskine's and Albana walks are pushchair and buggy friendly. The Italianate Garden also has accessible pathways that are suitable for wheels.

The West Wing has step-free access to the shop and cafe, and a lift that can take you down to the second-hand bookshop, or up to the Gallery.

Please note that when visiting the house, pushchairs will need to stay outside to protect the historic floors, but hip seats can be provided in the Entrance Hall.

The team at the Welcome Point are always happy to provide maps and advice or point you in the right direction.
The Adventure Play Area is located at the end of the main carpark and there is a large grass area with picnic benches located near by.

Bike hire and trailer hire is available from our cycle hub in the main carpark. Visit our cycle page here

Hands-on Servants' Quarters in the basement and family activities in the Servants' Hall.

Both the Porter's Lodge dog-friendly cafe and the West Wing cafe provide a selection of snacks, cold drinks and hot drinks, children's sandwiches and ice creams.

The Stumpery in the Italianate Garden is a great area for children to explore and is shaded and cool in the summer; look out for the dragon! Sorry, assistance dogs only are permitted in this area.

The Walled Garden is a lovely area for families to enjoy a picnic and some play time. During the school summer holidays, this area is taken over by our Summer of Play offer and includes additional food and beverage provisions including ice creams and occasional BBQs. Please note there is open water near this location so please keep an eye on children at all times.
During school holidays there will be family-friendly events. This can change seasonally from outdoor self-led games or activity sheets, to craft workshops in the gallery and things to spot in the house. Check the Events page of the website to keep updated with what's coming up.
We have plenty of shady spots to keep you cool in hot weather during your visit to Ickworth Estate:

The Rotunda is much cooler than the outside and perfect for a break. Children's trails and activities are often available, speak to our team.

The Servant's Quarters in the Basement are nice and cool and there's lots to keep youngsters entertained.

The Albana Walk is dense with trees and has plenty of leaf cover. There are always birds chirping and squirrels scampering around.

The outdoor seating area behind Porter's Lodge is great if you want to sit with a coffee or a bite to eat.

The Stumpery in the Italianate Garden offers cool dark relief from the sun when it's too hot. There are hardwood stumps, evergreen trees and shade loving ferns here all year round. (Sorry assistance dogs only).

Ice creams and cold drinks are available from our cafés and trailers (open during peak times).
We know that the British weather can often be unpredictable but we don't want to let a bit of rain spoil your visit to Ickworth. If you don't want to don your waterproofs and brave the rain then you can get out of it by visiting our hands-on and child-friendly basement in the Rotunda. You can open the drawers and discover the tools and materials that would have been used by the servants, seeing how they lived and worked. There are even some games you can try out in the servants' hall.

Key Family Events 2026

Summer of Play | 18 July - 2 September
October Half Term | 24 October - 1 November
Christmas | 16 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Check out upcoming events

Make the most of your visit to Ickworth

Daily

Explore on two wheels

The cycle hub at Ickworth is located in the main carpark. It is open from Thursdays - Sundays and every day during Suffolk school holidays. There are all sorts of bikes available to hire for different ages and abilities. There are also children's trailers for children who are older than 12 months and smaller than 1m 5cm tall. The friendly team will fit you out with a bike that suits you, a helmet if you need one, and direct you to the cycle-friendly routes.

Exploring on two wheels enables you to see a little more of the huge estate than you might have otherwise. There are lovely views of the parkland from the monument trail, which is the green route on the map.

Prices

Adult/child bikes: £8 for two hours or £16 all day
Balance bikes: £3.50 or £7 all day
Trailers: £8 for two hours or £16 all day
Electric 'e' bikes: £8 for two hours or £16 all day
Recumbent bikes: £8 for two hours or £16 all day

Open 10am - 4pm with last hire at 2pm

A visitor family waits to hire bikes at the cycle hub at Ickworth — The friendly cycle hub team will help kit you out with bikes | © James Dobson

Discover our upcoming events

A father and son smile at each other while trying out the beanbag toss at Summer of Play — A father and son try the beanbag throw at Summer of Play | © Tom Soper

Summer Events at Ickworth Estate

We have an extensive and varied programme of events for you this summer at Ickworth Estate with events being added all of the time so do keep checking back. Some activities are included in your admission, some have a small charge and some may require pre-booking. Please check each event for more details.

Summer of Play

18 July - 2 September | 9:30am - 4pm daily | normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members

Head to our Walled Garden to experience 10 different themed play zones with loads to keep you and your family occupied. Discover soft play for 5 and unders, a sensory tunnel, a quiet sensory area, a craft tent, a circus zone, incredible obstacle courses, building areas, a nature garden and more!

Download our Summer of Play activities and events planner which has everything on one handy page

Storytelling Sessions

Mondays during Summer of Play | 11:30am & 1:30pm | Free - normal admission charges apply for non-National Trust members | Pre-booking recommended

Join one of our volunteer for a relaxing storytelling session. The perfect opportunity to take a break from all the fun on offer at the walled garden. Book your space here.

The Crafty Foxes Craft Workshops

Join The Crafty Foxes, a local crafts company, for themed craft workshops in our Walled Garden for Summer of Play! All materials provided. Normal admission charges also apply for non-National Trust members.

Coastal Craft Workshop

25 August | 10am, 11:30am & 1pm | £3.50 per child | Pre-booking required

This week's theme is Coastal crafts, three craft activities for children to enjoy and take home with you after the session. The Crafty Foxes use recycled and rescued materials to run their craft sessions, with fun and exciting crafts for you to enjoy. Book your space here.

Summer of Play Craft Workshops

Seaside Windmills and Sailboat Weaving

27 August | 11am & 12:30pm | £3 per child | Pre-booking required

Make two different crafts, a seaside windmill and a sailboat! You'll construct all of your windmill pieces so it spins around, and glue together your sailboat, before weaving ribbon through the sails. You'll take your creations home! All materials provided. Ages 5+ due to fiddly pieces. Book your space here.

Forest School

Journey Stick Adventure

28 August | 11am - 11:45am | Free - admission charges also apply for non-National Trust members | pre-booking required

Create your own journey stick and turn your woodland walk into a lasting memory. As you explore the landscape, you'll discover the sights, colours and textures around you, recording each part of your adventure on your stick. By the end of the session, you'll have a unique keepsake that tells the story of your journey and encourages a deeper connection with nature.

Perfect for curious explorers and creative minds, this hands-on activity combines outdoor learning, storytelling, and discovery in a fun and engaging way. Recommended age 5 to 8 years old. Book your space here

Scavenger Hunt

28 August | 2pm - 2:45pm | Free - admission charges also apply for non-National Trust members | pre-booking required

As they hunt for colours, textures, shapes, and hidden natural clues, children will build confidence, develop observation skills, and learn more about the world around them. There will be plenty of opportunities to ask questions, work together, and enjoy the simple joy of being outdoors. Perfect for young explorers and families, this engaging Forest School activity encourages curiosity, creativity, and a deeper connection with nature. Book your space here.

Lots of people sat outside on picnic and camping chairs facing towards an outdoor stage with actors on. the backdrop is the ickworth rotunda and some trees — Outdoor theatre on the North Lawn at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust/Ray Dale

Summer Outdoor Theatre

Ickworth forms the perfect back drop for outdoor theatre performances and we have three exciting performances taking place this summer.

Access for non-National Trust members for theatre performances

Non‑members will receive free access to the estate from 40 minutes before their booked show time, and can enjoy the grounds for the rest of the afternoon. Please note: Full admission price will be charged for entry to the estate if you wish to arrive earlier than 40 minutes before your booked performance time. Please be advised that there is a 10 minute walk from the overflow carpark to the event.

The Pantaloons present Twelfth Night

3 September | 6:30pm | Tickets from £10 | Pre-booking provided

The critically-acclaimed Pantaloons Theatre Company present their own brand of Shakespearean mayhem in the Bard’s comedy of fools, duels and dual identities. "Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and some have greatness thrust upon them!” Get in a fight. Cross-dress. Throw on some yellow stockings. Love can make you do the funniest things…! Bring your own picnic and enjoy a night at the theatre, with this outdoor production of Twelfthnight, family-friendly fun with live music and audience participation. Book your tickets here.

Common pipistrelle bat (Pipistrellus pipistrellus) in flight over silver birch branch — Join us for a bat walk at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Bat Conservation Trust/Hugh Clark

Bat Walk

4 & 5 September | 8pm | £14 per person

Ickworth Estate is home to many bats, this guided walk is a brilliant opportunity to see and hear some of them from experts. Start the evening with a chat to our Bat experts at the Porters Lodge to discover the difference between the calls of a Pipistrelle and a Daubenton's while enjoying a hot drink and a homemade biscuit; learn about their habitat and what we can do to improve it. We will then spend an hour outside discovering where the bats may be. Book your place here.

Autumn

Stranger Folk

13 October - 8 November | 9am - 5pm | Free - normal admission charges apply for non-National Trust members

Forget plastic fangs and horror films - this Halloween adventure crackles with old magic. British folklore sneaks into the real world, set against the backdrop of Ickworth Estate. Go on a quest with the Stranger Folk app this Halloween; download our new Stranger Folk app and begin an immersive adventure inspired by British folklore. The interactive game features goblins and other creatures who lurk at some of the historic houses we look after in the UK. More information on how you can download the app can be found here.

October Half Term

Circus Pazaz Circus Skills Workshops

24 - 27 October | 45 minute sessions 10am - 4:30pm | £5 per person - booking essential

Circus Pazaz are returning to Ickworth this October half term and this time you're performing! Step right up and discover the joy of circus skills in this fun, hands-on workshop for all ages! This fun-filled workshop is the perfect opportunity to learn exciting circus skills, build your confidence on stage, and discover your inner performer. Join experienced instructors to learn a range of exciting skills, including juggling, plate spinning, flower sticks, hula hooping and more. Book your place here.

Silent Disco

28 October | 1 hour sessions 12pm - 4pm | £5 per person - booking essential

Three channels, one dance floor and endless family fun! Join the Silent Disco at Ickworth House and show off your best moves.

Pop on your headphones, choose your favourite music channel and dance your way through an unforgettable session packed with tunes, laughter and feel-good energy. Whether you're a seasoned dancer or just want to have fun with family and friends, there's something for everyone.

Perfect for children and grown-ups alike, this unique event offers a chance to let loose and create fantastic half-term memories together in one of Ickworth's most spectacular indoor spaces. Book your place here.

An illustration of a cartoon snow leopard who is light grey with dark grey spots. He has a curious look on his face — Meet Shadow the Ickworth Snow Leopard this Christmas | © National Trust/Nami Ralph

Christmas at Ickworth Estate

16 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Celebrate the festive season with us at Ickworth Estate

November Nostalgia

16 - 29 November | 11am - 3pm

Join us in the Servants Quarters as we get ready for the festive season. Step into the 1930s as we stir up nostalgia and Christmas merriment. Sights, sounds, and smells will immerse you in the past.

Winter Adventures: Shadow's Snowy Return

3 December - 3 January | 11am - 3pm (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)

Once upon a Christmas, many years ago,
A curious creature came to Ickworth bringing magic and snow.
He was Shadow the Snow Leopard from a land far away,
And loved Ickworth so much, he came back to play.

View of the Rotunda from the path with newly restored roof at Ickworth, Suffolk

Discover more at Ickworth

Find out when Ickworth is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

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Getting Active at Ickworth Estate

Getting active and out and about on your bike, or with a walk or run, is the perfect way to explore the parkland, woods and views of Ickworth Estate. Accessible routes and woodland paths cover over 26 miles of beautiful trails, offering routes for all ages and abilities to enjoy.