The Ickworth Hotel & Spa

The transformation has been led by acclaimed interior design studio StudioJill, marking the fifth and final full  StudioJill refurbishment within the Luxury Family Hotels collection, following Fowey Hall, Moonfleet Manor, New Park Manor, and most recently Woolley Grange. This milestone project represents a defining moment for the brand, uniting years of collaboration and a design philosophy that balances individuality with a cohesive approach across the portfolio.

Throughout the refurbishment, the Luxury Family Hotel’s brand philosophy of discovery and delight is evident in the details, from bespoke lighting and hand-painted artwork to unexpected textures and colour combinations. Subtle references to travel, collecting,  and the building’s Italianate roots appear throughout, gently nodding to The Ickworth’s history while firmly grounding the hotel in the present. Above all, The Ickworth remains true to the ethos of Luxury Family Hotels, a place where families can relax, reconnect and return to time and again.

Public spaces throughout the main house have been reimagined to celebrate The Ickworth’s storied history, while creating an adaptable and welcoming guest experience. Guests step through the doors into a transformed reception space, now open and inviting, blending playful contemporary design with classical architecture. Moving further into the building, The Drawing Room has been reconfigured with versatile seating, while The Library invites guests to explore books and games amid a collection of cosy armchairs. For light refreshments or family dining, The Conservatory offers a bright, light-filled space for guests of all ages. Each area has been carefully designed to also welcome weddings, private events, family celebrations, and meetings. 

All 37 bedrooms have been redesigned, creating interiors that feel both thoughtfully curated and elevated. Bathrooms feature statement marble, playful patterns, and carefully considered details that enhance the individuality of each room. Accommodation ranges from classic rooms to the two-bedroom Hervey Suite, which is perfect for larger families, with a comfortable master bedroom with lounge space as well as a separate twin room.. For larger accommodation options, The Dower House and Butler’s Quarters both offer private, flexible accommodation with multi-bedroom suites and adaptable communal spaces - ideal for multigenerational stays, small weddings, or family celebrations. The Butler’s Quarters is a self-contained suite that comfortably accommodates either six adults or four adults and four children. The Dower House is a larger property comprising three suites, each sleeping five to six guests, along with two additional rooms that accommodate three to four guests each. Located just a short walk from the main house, these residences provide privacy alongside full access to The Ickworth’s family-friendly facilities. Interiors balance elegance with livability, creating a welcoming home-away-from-home.

Wellbeing is central to The Ickworth’s transformation, with the Elemis spa designed as a calm and restorative retreat within the estate’s grounds. The reimagined space includes four treatment rooms, relaxation areas, a spacious indoor swimming pool, and  a new steam room set within the historic herb garden. Guests can also enjoy the spa terrace, seamlessly integrated into the gardens, complete with a horse-box-style sauna and a Nordic-inspired hot tub.  For those looking for a moment of fitness during their stay, guests can enjoy a brand-new fully equipped gym housed within the estate’s former stables. The spa experience has been designed for both adults and families, with Elemis treatments ranging from restorative massages and facials to a signature Japanese Head Spa ritual and junior treatments for younger guests. Relaxation lounges, adult-only swim times and access to the surrounding National Trust parkland further enhance the sense of wellbeing and escape at The Ickworth.

The Ickworth offers a refined gastronomic experience that balances the grandeur of its Italianate heritage with a relaxed, modern celebration of Suffolk’s finest seasonal produce. Centered around the elegant Frederick’s and the illuminated Conservatory, the restaurants will offer seasonal menus that champion local provenance in two distinct settings. Offering both British classics and Sunday roasts as well as traditional Afternoon Tea, dedicated menus for children and a "Waggy Tails" tea for four-legged guests, the new restaurant offerings ensure options for every generation. 

Children and families remain at the heart of The Ickworth experience. Spaces such as the carousel-inspired Four Bears Den Kids Club, the dedicated Blue Room for tweens and teens, and the cinema have all been refreshed to reflect the hotel’s signature design ethos. Playfulness, discovery, and a sense of wonder are woven throughout, ensuring younger guests feel celebrated while maintaining the hotel’s refined style.

As part of its grand reopening, The Ickworth has newly partnered with Scandiborn and LFH continues its longstanding partnership with Bugaboo  to introduce a range of exciting family-focused additions to the hotel. Scandiborn, the Scandinavian-inspired children’s brand, will provide its premium  toys within  The Ickworth’s Four Bears Den, while Bugaboo, the iconic British pushchair brand, will supply a selection of highchairs, pushchairs and cots for guests, including the new Butterfly 2 and Fox 5 Renew prams. 

Housed in the East Wing of the historic Italianate Ickworth House, The Ickworth has long been celebrated for its architectural grandeur and sense of scale. Originally conceived in the 18th century by the Hervey family and inspired by continental travel, the building reflects a spirit of curiosity, collecting, and ambition that continues to shape its character today. The estate’s history is deeply entwined with horses, from the 1st Earl’s racehorse Ickworth - winner of the Queen’s Plate at Newmarket in 1712 - to the parkland long devoted to riding. As 2026 marks the Year of the Horse, it is a fitting moment to celebrate this rich heritage.