Ickworth Estate: Specialised Talks
Ickworth Estate, Horringer, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
Learn something new about Ickworth Estate from the experts in a series of specialised talks, taking place throughout the festival.
Mary ‘Molly’ Lepell, Lady Hervey (1700-68)
An 18th-century court celebrity, Mary ‘Molly’ Lepell, Lady Hervey, once lived on the Estate at Ickworth. Learn more about her life as a maid of honour to Queen Caroline, her network of intellectual ladies and marriage to John, Lord Hervey, through her library, which still resides at Ickworth today. This talk will be led by Emily Deal, a doctoral researcher in collaboration with the National Trust and Historic Royal Palaces.
The Architecture of Ickworth
Focusing on the architecture of the House, this talk tells a story of Ickworth’s build, subsequent alterations and changes up to the year 2020. Led by one of our Talk Service volunteers, it will lightly touch on the principal characters involved in the story but will mostly leaning to the stunning craftmanship of this building.
1930’s Working Life at Ickworth talk
You've all seen the TV dramatisation of life 'below stairs’, now learn about the lives of the real servants at Ickworth House in the 1930s. Gain insight into their duties, interests, relationships and much more. Hear stories of the servants, taken from our extensive oral archive records, and begin to understand their world of hard work, ringing bells and strict rules.
100 Things to Wear
The National Trust looks after more than 30,000 items of dress – from attire of extraordinary luxury to practical, everyday working clothes. This talk accompanies the beautifully illustrated new book 100 Things to Wear: Fashion from the Collections of the National Trust featuring a selection of 100 important examples charting over 500 years of changing tastes and fashions. Followed by meeting the author and book signing.
The Herveys of Ickworth
This talk presents the story of the family, from the first Hervey who married a local lass (Jane Dury) in 1253, to the 4th Marquess and his wife Theodora, from whom the house passed into the care of the National Trust. The talk is illustrated using slides of the paintings and objects in the Ickworth collection.
👉 There are so many events happening at Ickworth across the festival; from behind-the-scenes inside tours, guided walks with our rangers and even the opportunity to ride in a Rickshaw! For more details Click here
Timings & Tours
- Wednesday 17 September:
- Mary 'Molly' Lepell Talk: 1100-1200. The Architecture of Ickworth Talk: 1400-1500
- Thursday 18 September:
- 1930s Working Life at Ickworth talk: 1400-1500. Book signing 1500.
- Friday 19 September:
- 100 Things To Wear Talk: 1400-1500.
- Sunday 21 September:
- The Herveys of Ickworth Talk: 1100-1200
Location & directions
Ickworth Estate, Horringer, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5QE
- Directions:
- Do not follow sat-nav. Follow road signs to Ickworth Estate.
- Contact on day:
- Daisy Bodewes
- Telephone number:
- +441284736136
Booking information
- Pre-booking requirement:
- Pre-booking preferred
- Booking conditions:
- For talks pre booking is advised. Possible availability on the day on a first come first served bases from the Welcome Point & Plant Shop, but cannot be guaranteed.
- Booking website:
- https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/suffolk/ickworth-estate/events
Accessibility details
The House can be accessed via a step-free ramp. Inside the House there is a lift to access the first and second floors as well as the basement. We have an audio guide recorded with VocalEyes, aimed at those who are Blind or partially sighted. The West Wing toilets are located in the basement and access is step-free via the moat entrance. There is disabled parking bays in the carpark and an accessible toilet. Staff and Volunteers are available to assist with access needs. There is a shuttle bus that can take visitors from the carpark to the house.
Additional information
For the talks head into the West Wing, where you will be guided upstairs to the Gallery. The estate is open from 0900-1700. Estate Last Entry 1600. House last entry is at 1500. The cafes close at 1630. Dogs are welcome across the estate on a short lead, apart from the Italianate Garden, the vegetable patches, The Rotunda and West Wing. Porter's Lodge Cafe is dog friendly, with soft beds and tasty treats. With daily cycle hire, specialist talks in the gallery, and Ickworth Estate food options (including weekend BBQs and sweet bakes), this is a beautiful time to enjoy Ickworth from a slightly different perspective. You can hire a bike from our cycle hub, with push, recumbent or electric bikes available (Daily, prices online). Please note that for our other events (see separate entries), pre-booking may be advised.
- Max no of people per tour:
- 15
- Est. tour duration:
- 0 hour(s) 45 minute(s)
