Visiting Ickworth with the family

Three children crouching together to take a selfie in front of a Christmas tree — Visitors at Ickworth, Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

There are lots of different family activities designed to help you explore and discover Ickworth Estate. 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 Autumn. 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.

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

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.
During school holidays there will often be additional programming for children. 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.

Check out upcoming events

a wintery night scene drawing of a snow leopard walking in the snow towards the lit rotunda. There are pine/cedar trees on either side of the image — Join us this Christmas for the Winter Adventures of the Snow Leopard at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust/Nami Ralph

Christmas at Ickworth Estate

17 November - 4 January 2026

Step into a world of festivities as Ickworth Estate transforms into a magical wonderland this Christmas. With celebrations and a packed festive programme running from November all the way through to January, there’s something to excite all ages and plenty of reasons to return.

November Nostalgia: A 1930s Christmas

17 – 30 November

During the last two weeks of November, immerse yourself in a festive feel-good experience as we transform the Servants’ Quarters in the basement into a traditional 1930s Christmas. Featuring all the sights and smells of the festive period ‘below stairs’, you can get involved helping to make the paper chains, stir the pudding and chat to the servants getting the house ready for Christmas.

Costumed Interpretation: Christmas Edition

22 - 23 & 29 - 30 November, 11am - 3pm

Immerse yourself in Ickworth's servants' quarters as our team of costumed volunteers bring the hustle and bustle of Christmas to life. Enjoy whole-family fun, stir up the Christmas pudding, and let festive cheer take over.

Winter Adventures: The Snow Leopard of Ickworth Estate

1 December – 4 January 2026

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 (11am - 3pm) and in the Stumpery in the Italianate Garden as part of our family trail (10am - 4:30pm), 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.”

Winter at Ickworth Estate

7 February - 1 November 2026

Get on a bike

While our Cycle Hub is closed for the winter months, you can still bring your own bikes to Ickworth Estate and cycle on the many cycle routes around the estate. Speak to our team at the

To find out more and book your tickets, click here.

Cycle Hub Opening Times

The Cycle Hub is open between 7 February - 1 November 2026, Thursdays to Sundays between 10am and 4pm with last hire at 2pm. Cycle hire is open 7 days a week during Suffolk school holidays, excluding Christmas.

Two visitors cycle side by side through a winding path leading through parkland on the Ickworth Estate. They're wrapped up in rain coats and the weather appears hazy. — Visitors cycling through the Ickworth Estate in Suffolk | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

What to do when it's raining

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 historic house. 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.

What to do when it's a bit warmer

We have plenty of shady spots to keep you cool in hot weather during your visit to Ickworth Estate:

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).