Visiting Ickworth Estate with the family

Planning your family visit at a glance

• Toilets and facilities

  • 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.

• Accessible routes and outdoor areas

  • 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.

• Key areas for families

  • 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.

• School Holidays and events

  • 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.

• 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 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.

• Second-Hand Bookshop

  We have a well stocked second-hand bookshop in the West Wing. All childrens books are priced at £1 each.

  We always welcome donations of children's book in good, clean condition. Please bring them to the donation point by the Welcome Point.

• Where to go when it's hot

  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).