Set in 1,800 acres of parkland and gardens, some designed by 'Capability' Brown , Ickworth House was built in 1795 by the eccentric 4th Earl of Bristol, who wanted to create an Italian-style palace deep within the Suffolk countryside.

It passed to the National Trust in 1956 and the West Wing houses conference, banqueting and wedding facilities while the East Wing has been converted into a hotel.

Housing one of the country's finest collections of Georgian silver, Ickworth House - at Horringer, just a few miles outside Bury St Edmunds - is also home to an important collection of paintings, including work by Velazquez and Titian, alongside fine family portraits, several by Thomas Gainsborough, who was born in Sudbury.

Outside, the kitchen garden is now home to a vineyard producing Ickworth wines, which are on sale. Visitors can enjoy walks, cycle paths and a trim trail.

Opening times (2008):

House: March 15 to September 30, 1-5pm, Mon, Tues, Fri, Sat, Sun.

Park: Open every day all year, 8am to 8pm.

Garden: March 1 to 14, 11am-4pm (not Weds/Thurs); March 15 to November 2, 10am to 5pm (every day); November 3 to January 31, 2009, 11am to 4pm (not Weds/Thurs).

Shop/ restaurant: (not open Weds/Thurs) March 1 to 14, 11am to 4pm; March 15 to November 2, 10am to 5pm; November 3 to January 31, 2009, 11am to 4pm.

Admission prices: Adults £7.50, children £3, family ticket £18.
Park and gardens only: Adults £3.80, children £1, family ticket £8.60.

How to get there: Ickworth House is three miles south-west of Bury St Edmunds on the A143.

Further details are available from www.nationaltrust.org.uk or telephone 01284 735270.

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