Visiting the garden at Ickworth

A carpet of white snowdrops with a path and trees seen behind — Snowdrops in the Albana woodland at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust/Ray Dale

Ickworth has the ability to pull you in and lead you through an assortment of magical areas. Whether that be the winding Albana Woodland, the gently curving Geraldine's and Erskine's Walks, or the immaculate Italianate garden which encircles the Rotunda.

Snowdrops at Ickworth Estate

Ickworth Estate has a large number of snowdrops spread around the estate in impressive displays. Snowdrops herald the transition from winter to spring and are amongst the very first flowers to be seen each year.

Native to mainland Europe, it is believed that snowdrops were introduced to mainland Britain in the 16th century. They were officially named Galanthus taken from the Greek meaning Milk and Flower in 1753 and there are now over 300 varieties that flower from October to April.

Join one of our February snowdrop walks

A close up of a group of white snowdrop flowers with a blurred building seen behind on the right — Large displays of snowdrops can be seen at Ickworth Estate, Suffolk | © National Trust/Ray Dale

Where to see snowdrops at Ickworth Estate

Geraldine's Walk - Large swathes can be viewed along this fully accessible trail that begins behind Porter's Lodge. Nestled amongst them you may see yellow aconites, purple cyclamen and early daffodils as they start to emerge.
Albana Walk - Starting opposite Porter's Lodge, this accessible trail takes you through woodland with plenty of snowdrops to see along the way.
Trim Trail - Here you can see the largest display of snowdrops on the estate that were planted over 100 years ago. A little further away from the welcome point but worth the walk and for those feeling energetic you can have a go at our fitness trail too!

A bank of white snowdrops with the base of trees visible behind — Geraldine's Walk is perfect for seeing snowdrops at Ickworth Estate. Suffolk | © National Trust/Ray Dale

What varieties can be seen at Ickworth Estate?

There are two main varieties that you can see at Ickworth Estate:

Galanthus nivalis - this is the most common of all the snowdrops, flowering from January and growing to around 7 - 15cm tall.
Galanthus elwesii - larger than the nivalis and flowering slightly later, these snowdrops originate from Turkey and grow to around 20 - 25cm tall.

As the snowdrops begin to stop flowering, they are taken over by vast swathes of daffodils and other spring flowers.

The Rotunda and Italianate Garden, looking towards the west wing at Ickworth House, Suffolk. | © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler

Grand Tours and grander designs

The 1st Marquess dedicated his life to realising his father’s dream for Ickworth and under his watch, the Rotunda was finally completed. He next turned his attention to creating Italian-style gardens to complement the architecture. The enchanting Italianate Garden at Ickworth remains the earliest surviving example of its kind.

On returning from his Grand Tour of Europe, a journey undertaken by a number of men in the 18th century, the Marquess set about bringing the Mediterranean to Suffolk. Corridors of manicured hedges sit alongside towering cypress trees. You will find lawns that stretch from border to border and shrubs in muted colours set the tone. Thanks to his son, the Earl Bishop’s Italianate vision flows inside and outside the house.

The 1st Marquess designed the garden as pleasure grounds for his family and guests to enjoy. Explore the gardens today as they were in their heyday, when aristocratic ladies and gentlemen spent their leisure time strolling along the neat pathways, playing croquet, or promenading on the raised terrace.

A view of the Stumpery with autumn light streaming through the trees — Enjoy the atmospheric Victorian-inspired Stumpery | © James Dobson

Always growing

The gardens at Ickworth reflect the changing times of the estate. The Stumpery was created by the garden team and adds a dash of Victorian mystery to the present day. The stumps belong to trees that were uprooted during the Second World War, when fields were sown to ‘Dig for Victory’.

Their gnarled roots nestle amongst the ferns and provide a shady spot that’s a perfect habitat for wildlife. In the Temple Garden, with its classical summerhouse and Mediterranean-style planting, you'll find a refreshing 21st-century spin on Ickworth’s Italianate theme.

A labour of love

The design of the gardens may be restrained, but they express the Herveys' devotion to home and family. The 1st Marquess included his children in designing the gardens and named many walks after them and other relatives.

Lady Geraldine’s walk, which weaves through carpets of snowdrops and aconites in the spring, is named after the 3rd Marquess’s wife. She took great pleasure ambling along its pathways while she was pregnant.

The 4th Marquess loved nothing more than to don his old clothes and dig up thistles. The Herveys cherished the freedom they had in their gardens, and carefully maintained them for future generations.

View of St Mary's Church, Walled Garden and Rotunda from south part of estate | © Jim Woolf

The 1st Earl’s garden

The walled garden has had many different identities since it was first created, from 18th-century leisure gardens to 20th-century working kitchen gardens.

It began its life in 1701 as a pleasure garden. Its red-brick walls sheltered visitors as they strolled through its different rooms. Set on a five-and-a-half-acre site, it’s one of the largest of its kind in East Anglia. Set close to the original Tudor house that preceded the Rotunda, the 1st Earl of Bristol enjoyed many a quiet hour in his ‘spring garden’.

Today you’ll find the walled garden as the perfect picnic spot for families, with spectacular views across the parkland.