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Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

The Round House

The exterior of The Round House, a rotunda cottage with a portico over a patio and large, lawned garden, surrounded by trees, Suffolk
The Round House, Suffolk | © National Trust/Mike Henton
The sitting room at The Round House, with woodburner, television, sofas and armchairs, and a curved outer wall, Suffolk
Fairy lake and the surrounding woodland on the Ickworth Estate, near The Round House, Suffolk

The Round House

Cosy up in this folky rotunda deep in the woodlands of the Ickworth Estate.

Grid of 30 images
The sitting room at The Round House, with woodburner, television, sofas and armchairs, and a curved outer wall, Suffolk
Fairy lake and the surrounding woodland on the Ickworth Estate, near The Round House, Suffolk
The exterior of The Round House, a rotunda cottage with a portico over a patio and large, lawned garden, surrounded by trees, Suffolk
An aerial view of The Round House and its garden, in a woodland glade on the Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
The entrance hall at The Round House, Suffolk
The sitting room at The Round House, with sofas and armchairs, and a curved outer wall, Suffolk
The shower room on the ground floor of The Round House, Suffolk
The kitchen at The Round House, Suffolk
The dining area at The Round House, Suffolk
The open-plan kitchen and dining room at The Round House, Suffolk
The first-floor hallway at The Round House, Suffolk
One of the double bedrooms at The Round House, with curved outer wall at The Round House, which has an en-suite bathroom, Suffolk
The en-suite bathroom with freestanding bath at The Round House, Suffolk
The twin bedroom at The Round House, with curved outer wall, Suffolk
One of the double bedrooms at The Round House, with a curved outer wall, Suffolk
Looking through the woodland at the conical roof of The Round House, with cylindrical, red-bricked chimney in the centre, Suffolk
The portico, covered patio and garden lawn at The Round House, Suffolk
The large, lawned garden with outdoor dining furniture at The Round House, Suffolk
The outbuildings, storing the washing machine and tumble dryer, at The Round House, Suffolk
The outbuilding with washing machine and tumble dryer at The Round House, Suffolk
The exterior of The Round House in the evening, Suffolk
The Round House, peeking through the surrounding woodland, Suffolk
Looking up at the edge of the curved roof of The Round House, Suffolk
An aerial view of The Round House, with the Ickworth Estate House and parkland in the background, Suffolk
A woodland trail near The Round House, Suffolk
The grassy parkland at the Ickworth Estate, with The Rotunda in the background, Suffolk
St Mary's Church, in the Ickworth Estate parkland, Suffolk
The Rotunda and Italianate garden at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
The Italianate garden, with lawns and manicured hedges, on the Ickworth Estate, Suffolk
The Rotunda and Italianate garden at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk

© National Trust/Mike Henton

Cosy up in this folky rotunda deep in the woodlands of the Ickworth Estate.

At a glance

Guests
6
Bedrooms
3
Number of dogs welcome
2
Reference
010045
Acorn rating

About The Round House

Nestling in an enchanting woodland glade close to Fairy Lake, is this fable-like rotunda cottage. A mini, more folky version of the nearby Ickworth rotunda, it was originally used as a shooting lodge and then a gamekeeper's cottage. Inside, it’s deceptively spacious and can accommodate up to six people and two dogs. Circular shaped rooms give it a real cosy feel, especially when the log-burner crackles in the living room. 

Although you’ll be tucked away in a sheltered setting, the main house, Italianate gardens and sweeping parklands are all within a stone’s throw. Explore the extensive hiking, running and cycling trails that wrap around the estate and head to Porters Lodge dog friendly outdoor café for lunch.

Surrounded by countryside with 1,000 years of history to explore, Bury St Edmunds offers visitors award-winning restaurants, fantastic shopping, annual festivals, and a great day out for families. From the magnificent St Edmundsbury Cathedral, and historic ruins of the 11th century Abbey of St Edmund, to the artisan, independent shops surrounding the medieval grid of the town centre.

Further afield visit the ancient university town of Cambridge, only 40 minutes away, take to the water and explore the city by punting tours and relax in the green spaces of one of the many parks. For a day trip, discover the varied and picturesque coastline on the Suffolk Coast. A chance to see the flourishing wildlife which makes Suffolk its home and plenty of walks taking in the beautiful views.

Features and facilities

  • Wi-Fi, available
  • Garden, available
  • EV charging, not available
  • Fridge, available
  • Freezer, available
  • Microwave, available
  • Open fire / wood burner, available
  • Television, available
  • DVD, available
  • Washing machine, available
  • Dishwasher, available
  • Tumble dryer, available
  • BBQ, not available
  • Cot & high chair, available

Location

Accessibility

See an independent accessibility review and our accessibility guide below. Accessibility questions? Email holiday.enquiries@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 0344 800 2070.

View AccessAble's independent accessibility review of The Round House. 

Read our accessibility guide 

Layout

Ground floor layout

Small entrance lobby. Shower room. Boot room. Open-plan kitchen and dining room with door to the garden. Sitting room with wood burning stove.

First floor layout

Three bedrooms (1 large double with 6’ bed, 1 small double with a 5’ bed and 1 twin). Bathroom with a freestanding bath with shower attachment is beyond the dressing area of the smaller double bedroom, which can be used as en-suite.

More information

Heating: Provided by air source heat pump, included.

Parking: Parking available for three cars next to the cottage. 

Garden: The cottage is situated in a woodland glade and deer may graze close by. There is a small area of lawn at the front which is maintained minimally to reflect the undisturbed surroundings.

Utilities: The outside store houses the washing machine and tumble dryer facilities and provides ample space for secure bicycle and equipment storage. 

WiFi: We’re pleased to provide free WiFi access at this accommodation, which is supported by BT. Please note intermittent connection problems can sometimes occur and therefore should not be relied upon.

Offers: Holiday cottage guests have free entry to all National Trust properties during the period of their stay. Full details in the confirmation email upon booking.

Guests will benefit from a late Sunday checkout of 4pm at this cottage.

Ickworth is a wonderful place to walk, especially with a dog, but we do ask that your dog is kept on a lead at all times on the estate and under effective control. You may wander freely around the parkland and woods, but dogs are not allowed in the Italianate Gardens or inside the buildings (apart from assistance dogs).

Wild Escapes: The Round House is featured in our new travel book, Wild Escapes, available to buy online or in National Trust shops. From rugged coastline to secluded woodland, it's filled with inspiration from far-reaching corners of the UK for your next adventure.

Your top three questions answered

Book together...

There are four other holiday cottages in the 1,800 acres of parkland on the Ickworth Estate.

The brick exterior of Gardens House, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Ickworth Gardens House, Suffolk 

A lakeside house next to the walled garden in the middle of the Ickworth Estate. Sleeps six, dog friendly.

The exterior of Horringer Park Gates, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Horringer Park Gates, Suffolk 

A Grade II-listed gatehouse on the edge of the Ickworth Estate. Sleeps four, dog friendly.

The garden at Keeper's Cottage, Ickworth, Suffolk

Ickworth Keeper's Cottage, Suffolk 

A semi-detatched Victorian farmhouse with a large garden on the Ickworth Estate. Sleeps eight. Can be booked with the neighbouring cottage, Carpenters Cottage, for up to 12 guests.

The cosy sitting room at Carpenters Cottage, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk

Carpenters Cottage, Suffolk 

A spacious, semi-detatched cottage, tucked away from the crowds on the Ickworth Estate. Sleeps four. Can be booked with the neighbouring cottage, Ickworth Keeper's Cottage, for up to 12 guests.

Things to see and do at Ickworth...

Autumn Rotunda, Ickworth, Suffolk
Place
Place

Ickworth Estate 

An Italianate Palace in the heart of Suffolk

Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk

Partially open today
A long path lined with clipped yew balls leads the eye to a huge, round stone mansion
Article
Article

Explore the house at Ickworth 

Discover the house and the treasures collected by the flamboyant 4th Earl of Bristol at Ickworth, a magnificent Italianate palace in the heart of Suffolk.

A group walking in the distance are silhouetted against autumn light
Article
Article

Explore the parkland at Ickworth 

Explore the parkland at Ickworth, encircled with layers of history, landscape and classic architecture. Enjoy space, freedom and inspiring views as you wander at your leisure.

A family walks through the Italianate Garden together at Ickworth
Article
Article

Visiting the garden at Ickworth 

Ickworth's garden was the first of its kind in the UK. Designed for privacy, space and freedom, it's a distillation of the gardens of classical Italy given an individual English touch.

Two children walk through the autumnal parkland at Ickworth in Suffolk
Article
Article

Visiting Ickworth with the family 

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

Two adults with walking poles walking on a curved, paved path surrounded by trees and green grass.
Activity
Activity

Walking at Ickworth Estate 

With over 1,800 acres of parkland to explore, find a trail that suits you.