Ickworth, Suffolk IP29 5QE

Saturday 16 and Sunday 17 May 2009, 11am to 5pm  

Enjoy an action packed weekend of medieval splendour! Explore a sea of colourful medieval tents within Ickworth's picturesque grounds, adding perfect ambience to superb C14th-C15th displays by  top medievalists. Meet armoured men-at-arms and a pair of mounted knights in plate armour, have a go at bill drill (the bill being the fearsome pole arm used by C15th English soldiers), watch demonstrations of archery, early cannon and battle tactics, enjoy music, song, dance, drama and combat, and thrill to a re-enactment based on the Wars of the Roses. Wander through the fascinating living history encampment and see everyday medieval life recreated, or go shopping within the medieval market! Children can enjoy the have-a-go medieval archery too! There's probably no better way to spend a family weekend out and about!

Organised on behalf of The National Trust. Presented by  The Wars of the Roses Federation, The Lion Rampant and Knights Hospitaller Association.

Timetable of displays and activities 

Please note that times may vary on the day if necessary.

Ongoing activities:

• Living history and encampments by all the above groups plus the Knights Hospitaller Association

• Medieval style market with historical traders – browse and buy unusual gifts for birthdays and Christmas

•  (Safe) have a go archery for children by the Knights Hospitaller Association (a small charge applies)

Admission prices

National Trust members: Adult £2.00p, Child £1.00p, family £5.00p.

Non-members: Adult £6.40p,  child £2.20p, Family £15.00p.

With the show offering particularly good value for money for National Trust members, many non-member visitors are likely to take the opportunity to join and thus help assist this worthy organisation in its objectives.

Re-enactment groups and other performers interested in taking part in our events are invited to contact us for further details; please click the link for our Standard terms and conditions for participation. 

Visiting magnificent Ickworth

Ickworth is situated in Horringer, 3 miles SW of Bury St. Edmunds on the West side of the A143. The huge central Rotunda, flanked by two massive wings, dominates this eccentric house built by the equally eccentric 4th Earl of Bristol, who dreamed of creating an Italianate palace within an English landscape. It houses important collections of paintings (including work by Velázquez and Titian) and fine family portraits (several by Gainsborough), as well as Huguenot and ambassadorial silver and Regency furniture. The fabulous State Rooms were only used by the family on special occasions and are as pristine and awe-inspiring today as they were when originally created. Today, the West Wing contains visitor, conference, banqueting and wedding facilities, while the East Wing is now The Ickworth Hotel. Wooded Pleasure Grounds provide a shady and delightful contrast to the formality of the Italianate Garden. Beyond there are 729 hectares (1,800 acres) of idyllic parkland, including a vineyard and dense woodland offering miles of walks.

Facilities include the excellent West Wing Restaurant, children's play area and quiz trail, baby changing & feeding area, family activity packs, family "trim trail" in the woods, and all-terrain pushchair available for outdoor use.

Other events 2009

Click here for details of many other historical events organised by EventPlan this year.

Updated 23 April 2009