Access at Ickworth Estate
Everyone is welcome at Ickworth Estate. Read on to discover how to make the most of your visit, download the access statement, and find out how to contact us with any questions you might have.
Watch our useful guide
Suffolk-based organisation, Ace Anglia, has worked with us to produce a useful 'how-to' video highlighting how you can get the most out of your visit to Ickworth Estate, and what you can expect in terms of accessibility. They have also created an easy-read accessibility guide, which can be found here.
You can download a PDF of our access statement here.
Alternatively, this link will take you to Ickworth Estate's page on the AccessAble site https://www.accessable.co.uk/national-trust/ickworth-estate-national-trust
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Ickworth Access film by Ace Anglia
Ace Anglia present a video guide on the accessible areas you can visit at Ickworth Estate.
Arrival and Parking
From the A14 take junction 42 towards Westley on the west side of the A143. Please follow the brown signs towards Ickworth Estate. For all other routes head towards Horringer. Please don't use our postcode for your SatNav, the main entrance to Ickworth Estate is via Horringer Village on the A143. Avoid any routes through Chevington as this is a no through road and will not allow access to Ickworth Estate.
On arrival the welcome kiosk is situated on the drive for entry, visitor information and direction to the main car park. Please stop and have your membership card ready.
There are 20 accessible car parking spaces in the main car park that are immediately on the right, oppsite the toilets as you drive into the car park. The car park is a flat and firm tarmac surface.
Visitor Welcome Point
Immediately opposite the accessible car parking spaces are two buildings. On the right are the toilets which includes male and female toilets, a unisex toilet with baby changing facilities and an accessible toilet. On the left is the visitor welcome building and plant centre. Both are step free.
Staff are on hand in the Visitor Welcome Point to answer any questions you may have regarding your visit to Ickworth Estate. There is a hearing loop within this building. A shuttle bus is also on hand to get you from here to the Rotunda, West Wing and Walled Garden/Church should you need it. The shuttle bus is often run by volunteers and any member of staff carrying a radio should be able to call the shuttle to these areas for you.
Mobility Scooter and Wheelchair hire
We have a number of powered mobility scooters and wheelchairs that can be hired from us free of charge. Please note that our powered mobility scooters are not suitable to go into the Rotunda or into the West Wing Shop and café. Wheelchairs are available to use in order to visit the Rotunda. To reserve one for your visit (recommended) please email us at ickworth@nationaltrust.org.uk or call us on 01284 735270
Visiting the Rotunda and House
The Rotunda is approximately 250 metres from the Visitor Welcome Point on a lightly gravelled route.
There is a ramp into the ground floor of the Rotunda and step-free access into all the rooms off the entrance hall. There is a lift that can take you to the servants' basement and the first floor. It is a small lift but has enough room for most wheelchairs and one accompanying carer.
The Servants' Basement
There is step free or ramped access to all areas within the basement.
First Floor
There is step free access to all visitor areas on the first floor.
Visiting the West Wing Shop and Café
The West Wing is approximately 250 metres from the Visitor Welcome Point and is reached on a lightly gravelled route.
There is a concrete ramp into the main entrance on the upper ground floor. The doors are manually opened but we do have staff and volunteers on hand to open them for you.
Upper Ground Floor
On the upper ground floor you will find the main shop and café. Both are step free and accessible.
Shop
The shop is spacious and, at the till, you will find two counter levels. The lower of the two is 76cm from the floor. The higher counter is 93cm from the floor.
Café
The café is linked to the shop via a step-free route and all indoor seating is on the same level. The food and drink service counter is 98cm from the floor and a staff member can assist you to your table if you need. There is outdoor seating along the terrace in the Italianate Garden. For step-free access to the Italianate Garden, an outside path will lead you along the front of the West Wing of the house. Once you have passed through the archway into the Italianate Garden, there is a gentle slope up to the seating area on the terrace.
Basement level
Second-hand bookshop
Along the dry moat in front of the West Wing, you will find step-free access to the second-hand bookshop, which is on the basement level. The door is not automatic, but there should be a volunteer in the bookshop to help you.
Toilets
Also in this area you will find toilets including male and female toilets, an accessible toilet and a toilet with baby changing facilities.
Lift
The basement level is linked to the upper ground floor via lift. The lift can be found opposite the basement toilets, or on the upper ground floor in the lobby between the West Wing Shop and the café. It can also take you right up to the first floor, where there is a gallery space that occasionally hosts events or activities. Check out our events page for more information.