Public Places
It’s also a deliberate policy at this time of year to have the breeding ewes and new-born lambs in close proximity to the visitors
The Stumpery was created after Sean received a bursary to visit Italy and study some of their gardens
Italianate form, or as close as we can get. We have to work under the constraints of a Grade II listed site and this can create a few challenges, but we manage that. Part of our plan is the entrance drive. It’s a single track road, originally designed to take horse and carriage, and we would like to widen it. However, we can’t, due to our listed status, so we have to look at alternative ways of managing the traffic flow.” In his first year at Ickworth, back in 2001,
the estate welcomed 80,000 visitors; in 2016, that figure had tripled to 250,000. That puts a lot of pressure on the facilities and infrastructure around the park. Most of the visitors tend to stay in the vicinity of the house and adjoining gardens, but the Master Plan is looking at encouraging visitors to venture further afield. In the south-east of the park is a neglected
pleasure garden, which will be restored in the near future; there are plans for a refreshment facility in the south at the Walled Garden, which is undergoing extensive restoration, following the unearthing of a gardener’s notebook in a filing cabinet in a shed on the estate. Packed with unique history of the planting, it documents more than 240 varieties of
local plum, gage, pear, and apple trees, all planted at Ickworth from 1898 to 1930. Some of these varieties, which include Blickling, King of the Pippin, Lady Ludeley, Hoary Morning and Court of Wick, were previously unknown to Ickworth staff. “This was a fantastic find,” said Sean. “When you’re working with historic gardens, you don’t have much to go on most of the time. You have to make the best guess you can. We’ve wanted to reinstate some of the fruit trees here for a long time, and were in process of deciding what to do when my colleague Cath Mobbs made this incredible discovery. It means we can now be true to how Ickworth was created in all the future work we want to do. Re-planting of the historic fruit wall began in autumn 2010 and includes some of these rediscovered varieties." The preparation of the Master Plan also
identified the need to increase disability access around the West Wing and into the Italianate Garden. At present, this work is being undertaken with the previous grass paths being upgraded to a smooth aggregate-based surface suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters. “It’s our job to manage the expectations
and enjoyment of our visitors. First impressions are all important and that’s why we are taking particular interest in the first 200 metres from the main car park to the entrance at the West Wing. We’ve improved the planting along the pathways and generally made that area a lot more presentable and pleasing on the eye. It’s also a deliberate policy at this time of year to have the breeding ewes and new-born lambs in close proximity to the visitors, both on arrival and on the pasture close to the pathway to the Walled Garden. The children love it!”
Another major project is the creation of a multi-use trail, which is currently at the planning permission stage. The estate has enough space to allow a variety of visitors to enjoy different activities. This project will also enable improvements to many areas which are under heavy use, are potholed or muddy and in need of repair. Research revealed that more people are using the park, but for some it’s still hard to access. The new circular trail is being designed with surfaces that will allow it to be used all year round. It will mean that a variety of users - walkers, adapted wheelchair users, runners, cyclists and those with pushchairs can easily
”
Lambing was at its height during the visit
First impressions are important, so the first 200 metres from the car park to the entrance have been enhanced
PC APRIL/MAY 2017 I 75
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