Visiting Ickworth with the family

A young woman and a small child smile as they enjoy time together on the Albana walk — Family fun in the Albana woodland | © Tom Soper Photography

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.
The multi-use trail, Geraldine's, Erskine's and Albana walks are pushchair and buggy friendly,

Autumn 2024 at Ickworth Estate

30 November - 5 January

Christmas on the Continent

Bring the family along to Christmas on the Continent this year at Ickworth Estate. The estate will be transformed into an exciting exploration of 18th century Europe. You will follow in the footsteps of one of Ickworth's most notable residents, the Earl-Bishop, as he embarked upon a Grand Tour of the Continent. The beautifully decorated house will show atmospheric scenes including the ruins of Rome, snow-capped Swiss Alps, a cosy Bavarian cabin and a colourful Venetian Carnival. While you wander you will discover interesting collection pieces and learn how his travels inspired the Earl-Bishop's vision for Ickworth.

Ickworth House

30 November - 5 January

Christmas on the Continent is open in the house daily. Ickworth Estate tickets cover admission to the house (or it's free for National Trust members). Entry to the house will work on a timed ticket system. To guarantee your entry to the house, book your tickets here.

The house is open from 11am - 3pm.

Family-friendly winter trail

30 November - 5 January

There will be a wonderful trail throughout the Albana woodland that brings the themes of the house into the outdoors. Ickworth has teamed up with UK-based artists, Pickle Illustration, who have created a series of colourful, engaging designs that draw upon the stories of the Earl-Bishop and bring the winter trail to life with things to spot and activities to complete. The trail sheets are £3 and you can pick them up from the Welcome Point.

Open daily 9am - 4pm.

Children's Santa Show

6 - 8 December and 13 - 15 December

In association with KD Theatre Productions, we are pleased to be hosting a fabulous show for families this year up in our West Wing Gallery. Santa is trying to navigate the world with all of his presents in time for Christmas morning, but his sleigh has broken down! Will his helpers get things back on track in time for Christmas? This show is perfect for children aged 2 to 6 years old. Tickets are £12 for children and £8 for adults. Find times and book your tickets here.

Children's crafts

19 December - 5 January

During the Christmas school holidays there will be self-led craft sessions for children taking place in the West Wing Gallery.

Running from 10am - 4pm. Suggested donation £3.

Find more information about our upcoming Christmas events here.

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!