Family activities at Ickworth

Two children walk through the autumnal parkland at Ickworth in Suffolk — Two children enjoying an autumn walk at Ickworth Estate | © National Trust Images/Tom Soper

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.

Head outside and enjoy all that Ickworth Estate has to offer this autumn. Explore the changing seasons in the Albana woodland 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 changing colours.

Planning your family visit

There are toilets, accessible toilets and baby changing facilities at the Welcome Point and on the lower ground floor of the West Wing near the second-hand bookshop.
There are toilet facilities down by the Walled Garden which are open from April to October only.
The multi-use trail, Geraldine's, Erskine's and Albana walks are pushchair and buggy friendly,

Autumn 2024 at Ickworth Estate

26 October - 3 November

October Half Term

There is plenty going on over half term at Ickworth for the whole family. As well as puddle-jumping, leaf crunching and fantastic Suffolk scenery, children have activity booklets and craft sessions to join, there is family crazy golf up in our West Wing Gallery, a trail to complete in the house and autumn goodies in our shop.

Children's craft sessions

Monday 28, Tuesday 29 October and Friday 1 November

Build a bat box with us! These organised craft sessions are ideal for children aged between 5 - 12 years. It costs £10 per box and you can share your box between your group if you like. The craft sessions are led by our volunteers, who are always on hand to help.

Running between 10am - 11.30am.

Book your craft session here

Crazy golf

Saturday 26 October - Sunday 3 November

This year we have something rather spooktacular going on for all ages. The Halloween-themed crazy golf is a 9-hole course that will be great fun for everyone. There will be ghosts and ghouls for you to avoid as you putt. The sessions are £4 per participent and games usually last around 40 minutes.

Book crazy golf here

Also on site you will find various things for youngsters to do both inside and out, including a self-guided scavenger hunt sheet, a little activity booklet with fun and facts and craft bags to borrow.

Visitors in the garden at Ickworth, Suffolk | © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra

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 within the 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. Enjoy playing some traditional games in the servants hall or play the part by dressing up with costumes. You can immerse yourself in the ancient world of the Rotunda this summer with our Design Masterpiece Family Trail, search for characters from Greek and Roman mythology, including Zappy Zeus and Majestic Minerva!