Ickworth House

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Ickworth House

Ickworth HouseIckworth is an astonishing Italianate structure topped by a massive rotunda, begun for the eccentric 4th Earl of Bristol in 1795. The Earl could afford to build Ickworth, not because of his position as a peer of the realm, but because he held the position of Bishop of Derry, the richest see in Ireland at that time. Whatever his qualities as a spritual leader, the Earl Bishop was certainly a reknown traveller, traversing Europe and amassing a quite remarkable collection of art and antiquities.

See our Ickworth House Photo Gallery >>

The House
The frontage of Ickworth House is remarkable in itself, stretching to over 600 feet in length, but it is the massive rotunda which draws the eye. This was built to the designs of Mario Asprucci, an Italian architect. The house was still unfinished when the Earl died in 1803, and by that time much of his collection of Italian antiquities was gone, siezed by Napoleon in 1798. As for the Earl himself, his death was as eccentric as his life; he passed away in the outhouse of a peasant's hut in Italy, and his earthly remains were shipped back to England in a coffin labelled "antique sculpture".

The house was completed by the 5th Earl of Bristol, and includes paintings by Velazquez, Titian, Kauffman, Reynolds, and Gainsborough. In addition, a considerable collection of fine Georgian silver, Regency furniture, and porcelain is on display.

Ickworth House lakeThe Gardens
Ickworth boasts some superlative gardens, set in a parkland designed by Capability Brown. Set in the park are a summer house, vineyard, a canal, and lake, as well as a special enclosure for deer to wander. Visitors can enjoy a variety of marked paths through the park and woodlands surrounding Ickworth.

NB The National Trust has leased the east wing of Ickworth House to a hotel group, who operate the four star luxury Ickworth Hotel.

Location
In Horringer, 3ml SW of Bury St Edmunds on A143

Ickworth House Georgian summerhouseEntry
Fee charged. National Trust members free.

Opening
Visit the official Ickworth House website (below) for current opening times and details.

What's it like to Visit?
See our Ickworth House Photo Gallery >>

Contact
Ickworth
Bury St Edmunds
Horringer
Suffolk
England
IP29 5QE
Location: 3 m SW Bury St. Edmonds, Suffolk, on A143
Website: Ickworth
Email: ickworth@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01284 735 270
Fax: 01284 735 175
Location map

Related:
East Anglia attractions

 

Suffolk Travel Information

County Overview - Suffolk Tourist Information Centres - Suffolk travel links

Featured attractions
Aldeburgh - Beccles - Christchurch Mansion (Ipswich) - Flatford Bridge Cottage - Framlingham Castle - Gainsborough's House - Ickworth House - Kentwell Hall - Lavenham - Melford Hall - Orford Castle - Otter Trust - Somerleyton Hall - St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Photo Galleries
Otter Trust - Ickworth House

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