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Rougham Hall Guided Walk
Key details
When:
No dates currently available.
When any dates become available, they will be shown here.
Where:
The walk starts in the courtyard, by the Roots Café patio
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Sat Nav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
Tickets
Per Person £12
Each person attending needs a ticket
The only way to visit the Hall ruins
If no tickets are available for a Guided Hall Walk on this page, sign up to our newsletter to be the first to hear when the next walk is planned.
Rougham Hall now stands as a ruin after it was bombed in 1940 and it is NOT open to the public at all, except as part of these guided walks. Anyone found trespassing at the hall site will have their details taken and be required to leave immediately.
However, every so often George Agnew, great grandson of George William Agnew who bought the Rougham Estate in 1904, expertly guides a group of visitors to walk around this part of the beautiful Estate.
Pausing at key points along the way, George shares stories of the fascinating local history as well as his Agnew family history. The walk takes in Rougham Hall Park and includes a visit to see the hall ruins themselves.
The only way to visit the hall ruins are as part of an organised group guided by George Agnew and the current dates for these walks are shown on this webpage. The walk lasts approximately two and a half hours and starts and finishes at Blackthorpe Barn.
The hall is on private land and is not open to the public at any other time or for any other reason. We kindly request that you respect this.
All profit from the Rougham Hall Walk tickets goes to The Rougham Estate Trust.
➡️ Find out more about the history of the Hall here.
➡️ BBC Suffolk: The Ruins of Rougham
Important information
If the weather has been wet, the walk can be muddy.
The terrain is not suitable for buggies and the walk continues at pace, with stops for talks, so it is not suitable for small children.
Gallery
01/01
How it Works
01
Park in one of the Blackthorpe Barn car parks
There is free parking around the Barn
02
Come to the courtyard at Blackthorpe Barn. George will meet the group here.
The courtyard is beside the Roots Café patio, between the “All Entrances” archway and the Café and Shop entrance.
For more information, see the Ground Plan.
Please arrive in good time for the start of the walk and let George know that you are there.
03
The walk takes in woodland areas which can be muddy.
Wear suitable clothing and footwear for an outdoors walk taking in uneven ground through woodland and parkland, as well as walking on paved roads.
04
George will stop at various locations to tell the history of the Estate.
05
You will be able to view the ruins of Rougham Hall.
The ruins themselves cannot be entered due to structural instability, but they will be viewed from the outside.
06
The walk will then return to Blackthorpe Barn.
Back at the Barn, you can have a bite to eat or a drink at Roots Café, if you would like (not included in the ticket price).
07
The walk goes ahead in all weathers.
If the weather is very bad, so that the walk can’t go ahead, we will try to contact you by email or the phone number you gave us when booking your ticket.
08
Facilities are at Blackthorpe Barn
Please use the facilities at Blackthorpe Barn, at the start and end of the walk.
There are no facilities or places to sit down on the walk itself.
09
Not suitable for everyone
- The walk itself is not strenuous as such, but due to the nature of this walk and where it goes, it may not be suitable for everyone.
- The walk continues at pace, with stops where George explains some of the fascinating history of the area.
- There are no places to sit down.
- The ground underfoot is uneven in places and can be muddy.
- It is intended for adults and is not adapted for children.
- The walk itself takes around 2.5 hours.
10
Refunds and Cancellations
If you have bought a ticket for a Rougham Hall Walk and are now unable to attend, your ticket can be refunded in full, up to 3 full days before the date of the walk.
Please notify us of your cancellation by filling in the form on the cancellation page to request a refund.
We will get back to you about your cancellation as soon as possible.
Things to Bring
- Bring sturdy shoes or wellies, especially if it’s been raining recently
- Bring a water bottle
- Bring a raincoat if it looks like rain; the walk will go ahead in all weathers, unless it is really bad
- Anything you bring with you will need to be carried for the duration of the walk
- Keep dogs on a short lead
- There are no facilities on the walk itself
Please Note
Rougham Hall is NOT open to the public except as part of guided walks with George Agnew. Anyone found trespassing at the hall site will have their details taken and be required to leave immediately.
Blackthorpe Barn
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Plenty of parking on site
Free to park
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy
Blackthorpe Barn is situated just south of Junction 45 of the A14, three miles east of Bury St Edmunds, in the village of Rougham.
Look out for the entrance gates to a long tree-lined avenue at the White House junction, with the Barn on the right of the avenue.
Blackthorpe Barn’s black and white signs direct visitors from local roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
If no dates are shown for the next walk to Rougham Hall, then unfortunately there are no walks planned.
However, the walks to Rougham Hall are often organised at fairly short notice. Keep your eye here on our website to know when the next one is.
We let our newsletter subscribers know of new walk dates first; you can sign up for the newsletter here.
The walk takes about 2.5 hours and is about 2.5 miles long. It goes through woodland and parkland as well as walking along paved roads.
Yes, well-behaved dogs on a short lead are very welcome on this walk.
If your dog is not good around groups of people or other dogs, please consider leaving them somewhere where they would be happier.
Wear sturdy shoes or boots, depending on the recent weather. The route takes in woodland and parkland covering uneven ground, as well as walking on paved roads in places. It can be muddy if it’s been raining recently.
The walk goes ahead in all but the worst weather, so bring a raincoat if rain is likely. Anything you bring with you will need to be carried for the duration of the walk.
Yes, at various points along the walk George will stop and will talk about the fascinating history of the area. However, there is nowhere to sit down on the walk.
Yes, we have information about the history of the Hall on this website:
Read about the Hall here
Read about the night when the Hall was bombed
Find out about the history of the Estate
The walk to the Rougham Hall ruins goes over uneven ground, through woodland and over parkland, and so is unfortunately unsuitable for both buggies or wheelchairs.
The walk to Rougham Hall goes ahead in all weathers.
If the weather is so bad that it really can’t go ahead, we will attempt to contact you using the contact details you gave us when booking your ticket.
If you have to cancel your ticket for the Hall Walk, you are welcome to do this up to 3 full days before the event.
Please use our Cancellation Form to let us know and we will refund your ticket.
No, the Rougham Hall ruins are not open to the public and are situated on private land. They cannot be visited unless you are part of this guided walk with George Agnew.
Anyone found trespassing will have their details taken and be required to leave immediately.
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A little taste of autumn has arrived at Roots Café.
These delish Oak Farm apples have just been picked here on Rougham Estate and delivered straight to the café, ready to be turned into some delicious dishes.
There’s something rather lovely about knowing exactly where your food has come from – from our land to the Roots kitchen.
If you want to taste the dishes they go in to, you know where to head 😉
#rootscafe #roughamestate
One last evening in the sunflowers and an afternoon of finding your inner Van Gogh...
What an evening this last sundowner is going to be! We had a great time with @runvibes.events last weekend - now it’s open to everyone!
This Saturday, as the season draws to a close, we’re opening the field again for a special summer sundowner. Come and enjoy the golden hour in the sunflowers with a BBQ, music, drinks and a proper festival feel. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to the sunflowers.
🍔 Summer BBQ with meat supplied by @thurstonbutchers : beef burgers, chicken, hot dogs, halloumi and vegan options as well as salad options. Book your tickets now; they’re limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Children’s meals are cheeseburgers or hotdogs.
🎵 Easy summer tunes from @solismusicuk as the sun goes down
🍹 Beer, wine, cider, Prosecco and cocktails from the Roots&Co bar
🍓 Snacks, traybakes, strawberries, ice creams and sweet treats from Roots&Co
✨ Face painting and a glitter bar for that festival touch from @faceitfaceart
🌻 Sunflowers to pick and take home
Entrance and parking are free as always. Book your BBQ ticket if you’d like us to cook for you. Picnics welcome too.
📅 Saturday 15th August
🕕 Gates open 6pm - Last entry 8:30pm - Field closes 9pm
🎟️ BBQ sittings: 6–7pm or 7–8pm
Menu details and more info from our website.
And the following day, the last day of Rougham Sunflowers this year, join artist Sarah Day @_day_design_ for a relaxed afternoon of painting in the sunflower field. No experience needed.
🎨 Canvas Club: Paint Your Own Sunflower
Sunday 16th August, 2–5pm.
No experience needed. Your ticket includes everything you need - canvas, paints, brushes, as well as a cocktail or mocktail and a couple of sunflowers to take home.
Ticket numbers are limited for both events. Book your tickets now from our website - link in profile. All the details on our website.
Come and send the sunflowers off with a flourish!
The sunflower field is open as usual, every day 9am-5pm until 16th August.
Pics from the RunVibes event by @noelleescreative
#roughamsunflowers #sunflowersundowner #suffolksummer #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
The Rougham Sunflowers are entering their last week and we’re sending them off in style. 🌻
Next weekend we have two very special finale events in the field and whether you fancy a paintbrush in your hand or a drink at sunset, there’s something for you.
☀️Sunflower Sundowner: Saturday 15th August, 6pm–9pm
An evening at the sunflowers with summer tunes, a BBQ, drinks and the sun setting over the field. Entry is free, just book your BBQ tickets if you’d like to be cooked for, or bring your own picnic.
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🔗 Book tickets and find all the details on our website - link in profile.
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The sunflowers are looking fabulous! Now is the time to come and visit because the sunflower field is only open for 1 more week. The last day will be on Sunday 16th August.
But before the sunflowers close, why not come to these two summer events:
How about an evening in the sunflowers? Just before the sunflowers close, we’ll be opening the field for a Sunflower Sundowner on Saturday 15th August. Come and enjoy the evening light.
The field will reopen from 6pm until 9pm (last entry at 8:30pm) for you to wander through the flowers and enjoy a summer’s evening with some easy summer tunes, a BBQ, drinks, snacks, all in the glorious Suffolk countryside.
BBQ tickets are limited so book quickly. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic.
Entry is free as always. You only need to book your BBQ tickets.
Enjoy the festival vibe with face painting and a glitter bar.
You are welcome to pick and buy sunflowers.
Dogs are welcome as always in the grassy area on a short lead and in the dog path but not in the main maze.
All the information from our website - link in profile.
And on Sunday 16th, find your inner Van Gogh and come to the sunflower field to paint your own sunflower.
From 2pm to 5pm you can join the Canvas Club led by Sarah of @_day_design_ to be guided through the process. No previous art experience necessary.
Ticket price includes all the artist equipment needed, a cocktail or mocktail and 1 or 2 sunflowers that you can take home with you as well as your finished artwork.
All the info from our website - use the link in our profile. Ticket numbers limited.
These are the last days of the Rougham Sunflowers 2026 - come and enjoy them while they are still here!
These pictures were all taken on Friday 7th August.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
#burystedmunds #suffolksummer #roughamestate
Looking for a reason to get outdoors next week?
Join us on Monday 17 August for Ramble and Roots, our free monthly guided walk around the beautiful Rougham Estate.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, enjoy some fresh air or simply take a break from the everyday, everyone is welcome.
Our relaxed 45-minute walk starts at 10am from Blackthorpe Barn before returning to Roots Café, where you’re invited to stay for a coffee, breakfast or lunch and continue the conversation.
The walk is free to join, but please book your free place in advance so we know you’re coming. You can do this via our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
#blackthorpebarn #roughamestate #rambleandroots
And the winner is… the photo by Howard King of rye on Rougham Estate 🎉
Well done! What a wonderful picture of the Estate.
The Through Your Lens competition has been the last part of Rougham Estate In Bloom which started way back in May and celebrated the beauty of all parts of the Estate.
Thank you to everyone who entered the photography competition and a special congratulations to those who made it to the finalist stage. All your photos were amazing!
Thanks also go to everyone who took the time to vote. It was your votes, on Instagram, Facebook and in-person at Blackthorpe Barn, that determined who the final winner was.
@howardking2468 well done again, and we will be in touch about your gift voucher prize!
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With the warmer weather encouraging more visitors to the Estate to enjoy the outdoors, including the sunflowers, we wanted to drop a gentle reminder that the grounds are extra dry, making the risk of fire exceptionally high.
To help us protect the Estate, wildlife, and each other, please be extra cautious with:
Cigarettes: please dispose of your cigarettes safely in a bin and ensure that they are completely out.
Glass items and rubbish: dispose of waste properly, especially glass, which can focus direct sunlight and ignite dry grass.
Parking: Try not to park on areas of long, dry grass, as hot exhaust pipes can easily spark a fire.
Please report any issues or fire straight away.
In the meantime we look forward to welcoming you to the Estate.
Check out our brunch special starting from today…
A zesty and filling dish of a hash brown topped with salmon mousse, poached egg, chopped chives, chilli flakes and drizzled with lemon and dill oil.
Great for al fresco dining in our courtyard or the sunken garden ☺️☀️
Available this week only so don’t miss out!
#brunchspecial #roughamestate
Tag us @RoughamEstate
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