A visit to this distinctive Suffolk property is a must for anyone who enjoys strolling around interesting buildings and gardens, not to mention quiet, tranquil parkland.
Why distinctive? At the heart of this Georgian mansion is an Italian-inspired imposing rotunda. Over 100 feet high, it is certainly impressive. Owned by the Hervey family from the mid-15th century to the mid-20th century, and with gardens landscaped by Capability Brown, the site’s £3.50 entrance fee seems very good value for money.
The Italian-inspired Ickworth House rotunda
For that princely sum, visitors are allowed access to the park and gardens (and there are over 1,800 acres of estate), with exploration of the house attracting an extra charge. To be honest, though, there’s enough countryside to walk around, and enough visual delights provided by the external design of the house to while away a few hours.
And so it was, that after lots of good intentions resulting in non-visits, we found ourselves at Ickworth House this afternoon.
With the sun beating down on us in the lemon tree-filled Italianate gardens, we leisurely strolled around the flora and fauna, pausing to take pictures against the slowly-changing grey-blue sky. Now owned by the National Trust, the building and its surroundings are well-managed and appear unspoilt by modern human hand.
Designated parkland trails direct walkers past the idyllic summerhouse, which, although small, sits proudly in its walled garden looking over a tranquil lily pad-filled lake. Just behind it, the rotunda of the house and its in-grounds church peep over the trees, keeping watch over the ornamental canal and vines.
The church, summerhouse, and rotunda at Ickworth House
Our reward of tea and scones was well-deserved, and as we walked the final part of the woodland path under the shade of the trees’ canopies, we could think of little else.