Christmas at Ickworth Estate

November Nostalgia: A 1930s Christmas

16 - 29 November | 11am - 3pm

Join us in the Servants Quarters as we get ready for the festive season. Step into the 1930s as we stir up nostalgia and Christmas merriment. Sights, sounds, and smells will immerse you in the past. For two weeks at the end of November, Ickworth’s servants’ quarters’ will once again be transformed with a traditional festive 1930s experience. Visitors will step into a warm, nostalgic world to get them in the mood for December’s festivities. Picture a Christmas tree, stockings hanging on every fireplace, ribbons streaming across windows and overhead, plenty of fresh greenery from Ickworth Estate, and plenty of traditional decorations. There will be sensory elements, with Christmassy smells and audio recordings of Ickworth’s actual servants from the 30s and 40s discussing the festivities playing aloud.

Costumed Interpretation: November Nostalgia Christmas Edition

21 - 22 & 28 - 29 November | 11am - 3pm

Immerse yourself in Ickworth's servants' quarters as our team of costumed volunteers bring the hustle and bustle of Christmas to life. Enjoy whole-family fun, stir up the Christmas pudding, and let festive cheer take over.

March Hare Collective Christmas Craft Fair

21 - 22 November | 10am - 4pm

Join us for a Christmas fair featuring high quality crafts made by local artisans. The March Hare Collective supports local, Suffolk-based artists, designers and makers. Come along to a special craft fair in the West Wing Gallery where these artists will be showcasing their crafts. There will be a selection of stalls laden with handmade goodies to browse. Find the perfect pieces for Christmas presents or something to treat yourself.

Winter Adventures: Shadow's Snowy Return

2 December - 3 January 2027 (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) | 11am - 3pm

Once upon a Christmas, many years ago,
A curious creature came to Ickworth bringing magic and snow.
He was Shadow the Snow Leopard from a land far away,
And loved Ickworth so much, he came back to play.

Shadow the Ickworth snow leopard is returning to Ickworth for a new wintery Christmas adventure, and this time he is not alone. Follow Shadow and friends as they get up to mischief and mayhem around the Rotunda in this magical festive experience. 

Story written by Bethan Davidson in collaboration with the National Trust, Ickworth Estate.

Shadow's Snowy Return: A Magical Winter's Trail

28 November - 3 January (closed Christmas Eve and Christmas Day) | 10am - 4:30pm

Follow Shadow and his friends mischievous winter adventures through the grounds of Ickworth Estate and into the Italianate garden in this magical outdoor family festive trail.

Christmas Crafts

17 December - 4 January | 10am - 4pm

Head to the West Wing Gallery and get creative this Christmas with hands-on crafts inspired by Shadow the snow leopard. Make, decorate and take home your own winter masterpiece, build your own hot air balloon, create snowflake garlands and much more.

Festive Workshops

Emerald & Embers - Festive Indian Block Printing workshop

Wednesday 11 November | 10:30 - 12:30 | £60 - admission, all materials and refreshments included

Join Emerald & Embers for a festive introduction to the traditional art of Indian block printing, creating your own beautifully hand-printed textiles to take home. Embrace the festive season with a creative morning of Indian block printing in the beautiful surroundings of Ickworth. During this welcoming two-hour workshop with Emerald & Embers, you’ll learn how to use traditional hand-carved Indian wooden printing blocks to create your own unique designs on fabric. With hundreds of beautiful blocks to choose from and a wide range of fabric paint colours, you’ll have plenty of opportunity to experiment with pattern, colour and design. Book your place here.

Shadow's Illustration Workshop with Nami Ralph

Saturday 19 November | 10:30am, 12:30pm and 2pm | £15 - all materials and tuition included

Join Nami for a festive one-hour drawing workshop inspired by Shadow the Snow Leopard and his friends.

Suitable for all abilities, this relaxed and friendly session will introduce simple drawing techniques as Nami guides you through creating your own artwork. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced sketcher, you'll have the opportunity to develop your skills and add your own creative flair.

By the end of the workshop, you'll transform your drawing into a unique Christmas decoration, ready to take home and hang on your tree. All materials are provided, making this the perfect festive activity for anyone looking to get creative this Christmas at Ickworth. Book your place here.

Festive Trust10 Run

Christmas Trust10 Tinsel Trail Run

Sunday 20 December | 9:30am - 11am | Free entry for all runners

Get festive with us on our very first Christmas Trust10 Tinsel trail run. Festive wear or tinsel adornments are very much welcome and encouraged. Make sure you join us at 9.30am for your briefing in front of the iconic Rotunda and start shortly after.

Trust10 at Ickworth Estate is two loops of our multi use trail – complete them both and you’ve done a 10k! Or complete the first 5k loop and call it a day, and build up to more distance as you feel confident. There is no pressure to complete the full 10km, just breathe in the surroundings and nature (and possibly enjoy some coffee and cake afterwards at the Porter's Lodge café!)

This is a completely free event, you do not need to be a National Trust member to take part and admission is included for any runners taking part. Just turn up at the correct time if you wish to take part.

Spectators will be required to either show a valid membership card or pay for admission on entry.

Opening times

Ickworth Estate is open from 9am - 5pm across the parkland.

Normal admission charges apply for access to Ickworth Estate. Free for National Trust members. You don't need additional tickets for the Christmas events (except workshops).

During Winter Adventures the upper floors will be open from 11am - 3pm each day.

The family trail will be available between 10am and 4.30pm.

The West Wing cafe and shop are open from 10am - 4pm daily.

Please note: Ickworth Estate is closed 24 - 25 December.

Making the most of your visit - helpful hints and tips

Arrival and Parking

It can get busy during weekends and school holidays, so we recommend that you arrive early (we are open from 9am) before 10:30am or later after 2pm (the Rotunda indoor experience is open until 3pm). There may be a short wait upon arrival as we check you in but we will get to you and get you parked as quickly as we can. If you are a National Trust member, having your membership card ready for scanning by our team will help to speed up the process. We have plenty of Blue Badge spaces so please make sure our team are aware if you require one when you arrive at the kiosk. There are toilets next to the car park and our team are on hand to welcome you and answer any questions you may have at our Welcome Point.

Have the best experience

The outdoor trail is open 10am - 4:30pm (last entry at 4pm) so you can beat the rush by arriving earlier and enjoying the outdoor experience before the Rotunda opens at 11am.

To ensure the best experience for you, we have limited the number of people into the Rotunda at any one time. This means there may be a short wait outside or you can come back later. We will get you inside as quickly as we can.

Does it matter that I didn't come last year?

Absolutely not. This is a completely new story and adventure so it doesn't matter if you didnt visit in 2025.

Can I go round more than once?

Absolutely! There is so much detail to admire and you may find that you see things you missed the first time round. 

Buggies and bags

Buggies/prams/pushchairs are not allowed inside the Rotunda and will need to be left outside. You will be asked to leave any large bags just inside the front door. 

Why are dogs not allowed on all of the outdoor trail?

We do not allow dogs other than assistance dogs into the Italianate Garden due to historic features and fittings that can be damaged beyond repair by dog urine. It is very difficult to wash off all traces of dog urine and once one has urinated, all others follow causing irreparable damage. We are sorry for any disappointment and inconvenience caused.

Is the experience accessible?

The indoor experience is fully accessible with a ramp into the Rotunda and then a lift to take you between floors. The outdoor trail has a hard or bark chipping surface which is a little soft in places. Most wheelchairs and pushchairs should be able to navigate the whole trail with little issue.

Rainy Day?

Don't let a rainy day dampen your spirits. A lot of the outdoor trail is under the cover of the canopy of the trees which provides a good level of protection from the rain. Waterproofs and wellies are recommended. The Rotunda is all indoors and perfect to get out of the rain.