Walks around Rougham Estate
Walks of all lengths around the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
Whatever the time of year, walking in the Suffolk countryside is like stepping into a living postcard, and here at Rougham Estate we are pleased to offer 18 miles of public footpaths, cycling routes and permissive pathways for you to enjoy.
Here is a selection of walks, all starting at Blackthorpe Barn. They are not specifically signposted, but rather are suggested routes using existing pathways in the locality. The waypoints for each walk are detailed in the link boxes below, including a downloadable/printable PDF and a google map, which you can download and use to follow the path on your phone.
Each walk has been designed by George Agnew, whose great-grandfather bought Rougham Estate in 1904, and all have been tested with Bolly the cavapoo, who has given them his seal of approval. The majority of the walks also have a real-time video of George taking the walk and talking about interesting facts and history along the way.
Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Shop are open all year around, so you are welcome to visit Blackthorpe Barn throughout the seasons. See their opening times here.
Please note the important and useful information about the walks below.
Don’t get locked in
The car parks at Blackthorpe Barn, where all these walks start and end, are closed and locked when the café and shop are closed.
If you think you will be walking beyond the time the café and shop close, please park outside the Blackthorpe Barn area.
Walks
Important Information
01
Difficulty levels
We have given each walk a difficulty level, as a guide to the potential walker about what to expect.
A difficulty rating of “easy” means the path is most accessible.
A difficulty rating of “hard” means the path is one of the most challenging possibly including stiles, kissing gates, steps, steep slopes and meadows with cattle.
A difficulty rating of “medium” is somewhere between.
The route information for each walk includes photos of the walk, a google map and, in most cases, a video, so that you are able to assess whether you would like to take the walk or not.
None of the walks are very hard as we live in Suffolk, not the Lake District, however some people are looking for something very gentle and others, something a bit more challenging.
02
Footwear and dress for walks
These walks lead through the Suffolk countryside and so expect to find muddy patches, nettles and thistles. It is important to remember that the weather may change during your walk too, especially if the walk is a long one. Remember to wear sensible boots and take something waterproof along as well. A sun hat for warmer weather is important too.
03
Dogs on leads
Here at Rougham we love dogs and really appreciate the importance that they hold for people in their lives and on their walks and outdoor adventures together. We would ask that you keep your canine friends on a lead when you are walking in Rougham. It is safer for the dog and much safer for wildlife. Ground nesting birds and other wildlife are seriously threatened by dogs running loose. They can also frighten other people who are less comfortable with dogs, but would also like to walk. Finally, you will not be able to see where they poo and so will not be able to clear it up and leave a hazard for future walkers. Some of the walks shown here include sections on public rights of way over land owned by other people. As a courtesy to them too, please always keep your dogs on the lead. Thank you!
04
Poop bags
Please ensure that you carry poop bags with you on your doggy walks. If you don’t have any with you, you can buy some in our shop. It is so important that you clear up after your dog and then take the bag away with you. You will find poo bins located near Blackthorpe Barn and Roots Café. Finding abandoned poop bags hanging in the branches of trees or just left on the ground is very unattractive for future walkers on the route so please do take them with you. Thank you so much.
05
Negotiating stiles with a dog
Stiles enable people to cross stockproof fences safely. Our stiles are built to Suffolk County Council standards. If you have a dog with you then you should look for a small dog gate at the base and to the side of the stile. This may have a flap on a spring or a sliding door. Encourage your dog through first, then pass the dog’s lead through and take hold of it from above the fence. Then cross the stile yourself. This enables you to cross the stile without taking your dog off its lead.
06
Accessibility
The Rougham Estate walks shown here are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way. They pass mostly through woodland and along field-side paths.
Each path is given a difficulty rating ranging from “easy”, which are the most accessible, to “hard”, which are the most challenging, including obstacles.
All these walks follow existing paths and are subject to mud and puddles in wet weather, fallen branches and trees during and after storms, ice and snow during frozen weather. Brambles and nettles are common anywhere and will overhang the paths during the summer. Stinging insects including wasps, bees and hornets may be encountered and midges and mosquitos are common on summer evenings. Adders are rare but do exist and should not be approached.
The Blackthorpe Barn has a defibrillator available for emergency use.
Rougham is located in a very flat part of Suffolk and as such is more accessible that in most other parts of the country but concepts of accessibility are all relative and the final judgement must be the responsibility the visitor themselves.
The Rougham Estate does its best to make public areas as available as possible; it cannot accept responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred during visits or walks on the Estate although every effort is made to make them as usable as possible.
07
Meadows with cattle
Our ancient meadows are a wonderful sight and well worth a visit on one of our walks. The reason they remain like this is that they provide grazing for cattle as they have done for many hundreds of years. You must assume that there may be cattle in any meadow that you visit. Leave all gates how you find them and ensure that any dog you have is on a short lead and kept close to you. Cattle are curious creatures and may well approach you to see who you are. They are also herd animals, so they tend to move together with one taking the lead. They are also frightened of dogs. This is an inherited memory linking back to the times of wolves. Just walk steadily through the meadow. Don’t let anyone chase the cattle or make loud noises. If you or anyone in your party is uncomfortable about cattle it may be best to choose another walk.
08
Not all the land over which these paths run belongs to the Rougham Estate
We have endeavoured to provide a real variety of walks based on land within the Rougham Estate, however some destinations are a little remote and to achieve circular walks rather than walks which just retrace their steps, where necessary use has been made of the extensive footpath network and chosen public footpaths on our neighbours’ land, to complete the journeys in more interesting ways.
Public and Permissive Footpaths on the Estate
Across the Rougham Estate there are over 20 kilometres of public rights of way and an additional 5.5 kilometres of permissive rights of way granted by the Estate for your further enjoyment.
All of the rights of way across the Estate are clearly posted and we mow them on a regular basis to make them more accessible. Outside these ways, we have created important habitats for wildlife and ground-nesting birds.
It is extremely important that people stick to the rights of way, as disturbing the habitats by leaving the paths would be detrimental to the success of the wildlife. We have created a map showing the Public and Permissive footpaths.
More to do at Blackthorpe Barn
Where to find us
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Plenty of free parking on site.
Please keep to the 20mph speed limit.
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy.
The car parks close when Roots Café closes and the entrance gates are locked after this time.
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.
The Barn is down the avenue, on the right.
NEVER MISS A THING
Follow us on Instagram
It’s been a long hot summer, but despite this, the harvest is now safely in.
A HUGE thank you to this line up… our harvest team, for all their work in completing the combinable crop harvest across the Estate.
It’s a busy time of year and their dedication, often working long days in some of the warmest conditions we’ve known, is hugely appreciated.
And, of course, no harvest would be complete without the obligatory annual harvest photo!
Another season done. Well done team RE 🙌
It’s going to be cooler at the weekend!
They are predicting a very pleasant mid-20s for Saturday and Sunday, making it just the perfect temperature to visit the sunflowers for the last time. And it’s spot-on timing for our two final events of Rougham Sunflowers 2026.
🍔On Saturday evening, the Sunflower Sundowner opens at 6pm.
Free entry for everyone, with summer tunes from @solismusicuk , drinks, desserts, snacks and good company as the sun goes down.
BBQ tickets, with meat from @thurstonbutchers , are still available but must be booked by Friday 14th. You don’t need a ticket to come, just to book your meal.
The 6pm-7pm sitting is virtually full, but we still have a few tickets left for the 7pm-8pm sitting. We’ve extended the ticket sales window, to close today, on Friday 14th.
£15 for the adult ticket, £6.50 for the child meal.
All the info, including the menu, from our website – link in profile.
🎨On Sunday afternoon, the Canvas Club: Paint Your Own Sunflower with Sarah Day @_day_design_ brings the season to a close in the best possible way.
From 2pm-5pm enjoy a pleasant afternoon surprising yourself with what you can create, being guided in your painting by Sarah. She’s posted a great little video so you can see how your painting might progress.
Enjoy relaxing company (come with friends, or come and make friends), spoil yourself with a cocktail (or mocktail) included in the price and go home with your finished artwork to remember the day. £45 includes all the materials you need and a cocktail. Tickets from our website – link in profile. Ticket sales close on Friday 14th.
📣The field closes for good at 5pm on Sunday 16th August.
Until then, we’re open every day, 9am-5pm.
🌻The sunflowers have been feeling the heat and many are drooping and are past their best now. However there are still some sunflowers that have just opened, so there are still flowers worth picking. The photos of the sunflowers in this reel were taken on Wednesday 12th.
Come and enjoy the space, the cooler air and the last of the sunflowers. 🌻
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
📣Last chance to get your BBQ tickets – sales close on Friday 14th.
This is your final opportunity to book a seat at the Sunflower Sundowner BBQ this Saturday. Once tickets are gone, they’re gone, and there won’t be another evening like this one.
Join us in the sunflower field as the sun goes down, with food by Roots and supplied by @thurstonbutchers , music provided by @solismusicuk , drinks both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, face painting, glitter bar and a wonderful summer evening vibe.
Free entry for everyone, but if you want us to cook for you, book your BBQ ticket now.
🌻Saturday 15th August
🌻Gates open 6pm-9pm, last entry 8:30pm
🍔 BBQ sittings: 6–7pm or 7–8pm – menu on our website
🎟️ Book now on our website, link in profile.
The sunflowers are nearly over. Make the most of them. 🌻🥂🎉
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #burystedmunds #suffolksummer #suffolkdaysout
🌒 LOOK UP TONIGHT…
Something rather special is happening in the skies over Rougham this evening.
Tonight, the UK will experience its most impressive solar eclipse in years and here in Suffolk, around 90% of the Sun will be obscured by the Moon at its peak.
The partial eclipse begins at around 6.16pm, reaching its maximum at approximately 7.11pm, before coming to an end shortly after 8pm.
And the good news? Clear skies are forecast. ☀️
So find yourself a good view towards the western sky and enjoy what should be a rather extraordinary summer evening. 🌒
One important thing: please don’t look directly at the Sun. Ordinary sunglasses aren’t enough … proper eclipse glasses should be used to view it safely.
Who’s going to be watching from Suffolk tonight? 👀
#RoughamEstate #SolarEclipse #SuffolkSkies #Suffolk #BuryStEdmunds
EastAnglia … LookUp
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.
Adult BBQ ticket £15, Child £6.50
🎨 Paint Your Own Sunflower: Sunday 16th August, 2pm–5pm
A guided painting workshop with artist Sarah Day @_day_design_ happening right here at the sunflowers.
No experience needed, just come and enjoy, and be impressed with what you create.
Ticket includes all materials, a cocktail or mocktail and 1–2 sunflowers to take home.
£45 per person, ages 16+.
Sunday 16th is the last day of the Rougham Sunflowers for 2026.
The sunflower field is open as usual every day 9am – 5pm until then, with 2 SEN-friendly hours on Tuesday and Thursday. So whether you come for one event or both, or just to wander through the flowers at another time, we’d love to see you.
🔗 Book tickets and find all the details on our website – link in profile.
#roughamestate #suffolksummer #sunflowersundowner #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
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
Tag us @RoughamEstate
