Ickworth

Ickworth was begun in 1795 by Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, to the designs of an Italian architect, Mario Asprucci the younger. These designs were simplified and realised by two Irish architects, Francis and Joseph Sandys. The house features a magnificent curved frontage, a central domed Rotunda with pillared porch and two balancing wings. Designed to house the Earl-Bishop’s remarkable art collection, Ickworth remained unfinished at the time of Hervey’s death. His son, Frederick William, 5th Earl and later 1st Marquess, recommenced building work and engaged John Field to redesign the interior. In 1879 the 3rd Marquess engaged Francis Penrose (Surveyor of St Paul’s Cathedral) to improve the internal layout and create the Pompeian and Smoking Rooms. In 1910 the 4th Marquess commissioned A.C. Blomfield to carry out further interior alterations and modernisations. The grounds contain an ornamental woodland laid out by ‘Capability’ Brown.

Ickworth, Suffolk

This collection has 18,910 items online

The collections assembled at Ickworth are beyond compare. Our painting collection ranks amongst the top ten in the Trust, and consists almost entirely of portraits. We have several exceptional pictures, including works by Titian, Velazquez, Hogarth, Vigee-Lebrun and Gainsborough, and one of the most outstanding private collections of miniatures in Britain. Our furniture includes the most comprehensive surviving collection of pieces by Royal furniture makers Banting, France and Co, commissioned by the 1st Marquess, as well as significant pieces of continental furniture. Our library is one of the Trust’s finest and most varied, with outstanding manuscripts, some of the best bindings in the Trust, and a nationally significant collection of pamphlets. Our silver is one of The National Trust’s top 2 collections. It is of outstanding quality, and the quantity of 18th century dining silver and dessert plate at Ickworth is unparalleled. Ceramics, too, are of national significance and Ickworth has the largest documented assemblage of first period Doccia dessert table centre-pieces. It is most definitely worth a visit.

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