The New-Look Ickworth Hotel: A Luxury Family Stay in Suffolk

3rd August 2026

The New-Look Ickworth Hotel Review – By Rachel Ducker

We recently returned to The Ickworth Hotel near Bury St Edmunds, this time as a family of five to mark the second birthday of our youngest daughter Isla. We knew of the wonderful setting there was already, from previous visits, but the improvements at the newly refurbished hotel were a pleasant surprise. The Ickworth has undergone a full and extensive facelift from one end of the building to the other.

The fresh contemporary look makes the hotel feel elegant and luxurious without compromising the relaxed atmosphere that makes it an excellent family hotel.

The hotel reopened in 2026 after a six month, multi-million pound facelift, revealing a new trendy interior design, refreshed bedrooms and a completely rethought about spa and leisure amenities.

A Historic Suffolk Hotel with a Fascinating Past

The hotel is positioned in the grand East wing of historic Ickworth House nestled within the stunning parkland of the national trust owned Ickworth estate in Horringer, near Bury St Edmunds. The illustrious history of the estate dates back to the Domesday Book, but the Ickworth estate belonged to the Hervey family for over 500 years. The distinctive house we know today was originally conceived by Frederick Hervey, 4th Earl of Bristol and Bishop of Derry, also known as the Earl-Bishop.

Influenced by classical Roman buildings and through his extensive travels across Europe he designed a Italianate palace with a huge Rotunda to house his art collection.

The estate later went to the National Trust while what was the family residence in the East Wing in 2002 became The Ickworth Hotel. The best part about the remaking of the hotel is that it hasn’t erased some of the more curious part of its history. We were glad to see that the original bullet holes in the door linked to the 7th Marquess of Bristol are still evident.

It is a fascinating and somewhat whimsical part of the hotel’s history, which makes it clear that this was once a very opulent and reportedly energetic private residence. That combination of genteel modern comfort and eccentric aristocratic past is one of the defining features that make The Ickworth so unique.

Spacious Bedrooms Designed for Real Families

On this visit, we were given interconnected rooms with a landing area of their own, enabling the five of us to have a huge amount of space to spread out in.

We didn’t feel like we had merely managed to squeeze an extra bed in a regular hotel room – instead it felt like we had a private family apartment within the main hotel.

The new decoration is elegant, tranquil and thought-out but not overly formal that worrying about our small children touching it was not a major concern. The rooms retain the character of the historic building but are practical and spacious for families. The most admirable element of the hotel is its ability to cater for practically everything that a family with small children needs. We had a travel cot, nappy changing mat and bin prepared in our rooms, so we didn’t have to bring as many items in the car.

The hotel can also provide a whole range of different family equipment subject to availability including travel cots, high chairs, potties and push chairs.

These small touches are so much easier for parents who are travelling with a few children than carrying everything in the car.

Thoughtful Touches for Isla’s Second Birthday

We were visiting for our daughter’s 2nd birthday and the hotel did more than their part to help make it a memorable occasion. These minor details really turned the trip into much more than a hotel visit, in fact, a real little birthday ‘experience’.

The staff at the hotel were exceptionally friendly and accommodating and appeared to appreciate how important family celebrations are, even when guests are not yet old enough to remember birthday parties. In the evenings, other family friendly rituals such as milk and cookies are observed, providing a happy thought for children and making for a relaxed transition to bed away from home. The hotel also offers film nights and a range of other activities that are included as part of the location.

Two Hours of Childcare Included

Perhaps the most valuable feature for parents is the complimentary childcare.

2 hours free childcare Perhaps the most significant bonus offered by the hotel for parents is the free babysitting that can be booked.

Guests are able to book a two hour free, supervised babysitting stint with a fully qualified team of nannies for every night of their stay. The ofsted-registered nannies take children to the Four Bears Den, with must be booked in advance, but both need to be booked before the actual trip. Whatever you do with this time is at parent’s own discretion. Enjoy long walks, have a spa treat, relax over a large pot of coffee or sit somewhere and relax without repeatedly getting asked for a snack every4 minutes.

Alternatively, you could feel like regulars in the bar early in the evening, if you prefer.

There is no pressure for the time to be anything spectacular. Sometimes a two hours break with family or absolutely no company is all that luxury a family hotel can provide.

The Brand-New Spa and Swimming Pool

The old swimming pool has been upgraded with the addition of a fantastic new wellness area.

The new smart facilities include a steam room, outdoor spa garden, sauna, treatment rooms and a relaxation space adjoining the indoor swimming pool. Dedicated swimming sessions for adults take place, allowing parents to enjoy an earlier drink while the kids are still in the best temper.

If you are in the right mood, you’ll find plenty to occupy you throughout the course of the weekend around and about the estate including family swimming, childcare, nature walks and relaxing in the spa.

Baby Monitors and Grown-Up Dinners

Hours together in the hotel with no kids make a huge difference so families an request baby monitors during their stay – no judgement here. Not many hotels can offer this. Pet monitoring devices are available too.

Family Dining at The Ickworth

Guests have the choice of dining in Frederick’s Restaurant or in The Conservatory, both of which are set-up to cater for children.

Highchairs, children’s tableware, bibs and plastic cutlery are provided for the kids. Colouring and activities are supplied as well, providing parents with some reward for the patience and time spent gesturing at the table.

Meals are informal rather than too formal and children are treated as welcomed guests rather than a nuisance. Families can have a family meal, adjust an earlier children’s tea or use the other dining options depending on their schedule.

It was that ease that made a difference. No parent needs to stroll in with a whole drawer of toddler paraphernalia and no one bats an eye as crayons, cups and children begin to spread out all over the table.

Exploring the National Trust Estate

One of the best things about staying at The Ickworth is being able to walk straight out into the National Trust estate.

The hotel hotels are also open to families for use by providing access the house and grounds, where families can walk along the woodland trail, visit the formal gardens and surrounding parkland of the magnificent Rotunda.

We really enjoyed taking a stroll as a family through the grounds. There is room enough for the kids to go wandering, and with the stunning scenery and incredible buildings, even a simple walk as a family is a treat.

This, however, is the advantage The Ickworth has over most other family hotels. You’re not just sleeping on the doorstep of an attraction-you’re sleeping on the estate itself.

Close to Bury St Edmunds

Despite the hotel’s isolated and peaceful atmosphere, it is only a short drive from Bury St Edmunds.

We managed to pop into town during our visit, so easily combining a tranquil break in the countryside with shopping, café visits and a look around Bury St Edmunds’ historic centre. The location makes a great weekend holiday as you can relax in a beautiful park in the morning and then spend the afternoon discovering one of the most attractive market towns in Suffolk.

There are grounds around the hotel,which gives the impression of being removed from the normality of life-even though everything you may need is still very close to hand!

Our Verdict on the New-Look Ickworth Hotel

The new look Ickworth Hotel seems to mark the start of a fresh chapter in the story of an already popular Suffolk destination.

While the interior feels more intelligent, the rooms still feel cavernous and the new spa provides real indulgence. Most significantly, all of this hasn’t compromised the car’s appeal to families.

The hotel appreciates that luxury with children is quite different. It is a lovely room where there’s plenty of room for everyone. It’s a nappy bin in place before you change your baby. It’s milk and biscuits before bed, plastic knives and forks at lunch and an extra couple of hours of someone else happily looking after your children.

Or maybe it’s a relaxing spa session or an early beverage in the bar. No judging.

The Ickworth offers nearly everything a family wants in one easy location; spacious accommodation, childcare, swimming, a spa, family-friendly restaurants, friendly staff and the magnificent National Trust estate just outside the door.

We were hugely impressed with its new look and the extra touches for the special occasion of Isla’s birthday. There was everything we could wish for as a family of five, we did not just feel that we were ‘getting by’.

We had the best weekend- and The Ickworth has definitely managed to become one of Suffolk’s most unique family breaks.