Family activities at Ickworth

Three children running away from the camera along a mud path inside woodland — Enjoy an Easter adventure at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Jim Woolf

There are loads of different family activities designed to help you explore and discover the Ickworth estate. However you choose to spend your day with us, your adventure starts here.

Blow off the cobwebs and enjoy all that Ickworth Estate has to offer this winter. Dig out your wellies and go and explore the changing seasons in the Albana to the breathtaking views across the fairy lake. Enjoy spending time with friends and nature at Ickworth Estate.

Planning your family visit

There are toilets and baby changing facilities at the Welcome Point, in the West Wing and by the Walled Garden (open April to October only).
The multi-use trail, Geraldine's, Erskine's and Albana Walks are pushchair and buggy friendly

Visitors walking with a double buggy along the multi-use trail at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk — Family walking in the Italianate garden | © National Trust Images/James Dobson

Get on a bike

Why not hire one of our bikes or bring your own and follow one of our two family friendly multi-use trails around the estate – the River Linnet or the Monument trail. We’ve even got a short route especially designed for little legs! The routes are suitable for all weathers too, so even if it's raining, you can still enjoy exploring the estate.

Cycle Hub Opening Times

The Cycle Hire Hub is open Thursdays to Sundays between 10am and 4pm with last hire at 2pm. Cycle hire is open 7 days a week during Suffolk school holidays. There may be times where we have to close cycle hire for operational reasons. Please check opening times for more information.

Child learning to ride a bike in the parkland at Ickworth, Suffolk — Child learning to ride a bike at Ickworth | © National Trust Images/David Levenson

A Spring of exploration

Adventure Play area

Why not spend some time running off steam in our play area? Situated by the car park, our wooden play area is suitable for children of all ages. There are picnic benches available too. *May close in adverse weather*

Grab an Explorer bag

Drop into the welcome point (next to the plant centre) and pick up one of our family explorer bags. Packed with items such as binoculars, bug pots and ID sheets, discover what calls Ickworth Estate home. Free to use, just drop it back when you are finished. Use the binoculars to go and seek out the dragon in the stumpery.

Wildlife area

Explore our wildlife area all year round, what critters will you find.

Build a bug hotel

In the wildlife area by the adventure playground have a go a building a bug hotel. *Open all year round*

Activities are free but normal admission charges apply, free for National Trust members.

Summer outdoor theatre

Frozen Light presents 'Night Out In Nature'

Wednesday 3 - Friday 6 July| times vary | £10 per ticket (carers free)| booking essential

Night Out in Nature is an outdoor sensory installation performance for audiences with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD).

Frozen Light brings 'Night Out in Nature' to Ickworth Estate.

Four scientists have lived inside a biodome for over a decade nurturing the Blostma, a plant so powerful it only flowers every 12 years. The Blostma might be what we've all been waiting for, but only if it blossoms under the full moon tonight!

You're invited to enter the biodome and experience this cosmic, floral event. The question is, after 12 years of waiting, will the Blostma reveal its blooms?

This event is wheelchair accessible and limited to six individuals with PMLD and their carers per show. There is a Changing Places toilet on site.

For frequently asked questions about this performance please see here

Please book your tickets here

A group of five people dressed in bright block colour clothing with the centre person in a wheelchair. They are standing between a blue arch with the word 'Blostma' cut into it. They have long strands of fluffy material hanging down from the arch flowing over them with large paper flowers either side — Frozen Light present 'Night Out in Nature' | © Frozen Light Theatre

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Thursday 27 June | 7pm - 9pm | tickets from £12 | booking advisable

Join The Pantaloons as they present their innovative and hilarious version of Shakespeare’s timeless comedy - told, as ever, in their own distinctive and anarchic style. Suitable for the whole family.

Book your tickets here

Wind in The Willows

Thursday 25 July | 6pm - 8pm | tickets from £13 | booking advisable

Join Boxtree Productions Events for their fantastic musical adaptation of Kenneth Grahame's classic story, 'The Wind In The Willows'.

Featuring hilarious comedy, magic and fantastic toe-tapping songs be sure of an evening of wonderful open-air theatre that the whole family will enjoy.

Pack up a picnic, bring something to sit on and dress for the great British Weather! Book your tickets here.

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

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