ROOTS CAFÉ
Nestled within the Estate’s picturesque surroundings, this comfortable café brings Suffolk’s finest to your table with a menu of locally-sourced dishes and refreshments.
TODAY’S OPENING TIMES
- Roots Café 09:00 – 16:00
Address
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
What3Words: ///newly.sofas.debating
ABOUT ROOTS CAFÉ
Welcome to our café, Roots, nestled in the heart of the Blackthorpe Barn complex on Rougham Estate.
With a storied history spanning decades, this location is a convenient out-of-town chill-out spot to meet up, a cosy gathering place for the community, now open throughout the year. For breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, we hope Roots will become your go-to destination. Everyone is welcome: walkers, cyclists, families and dogs.
Vacancies
We are looking for a new full-time barista, trainee chef, waiter/waitress, both permanent and temporary over Christmas, to join the team at Roots.
Are you interested?
Come and enjoy the opportunity to showcase your passion for hospitality while providing exceptional service to our valued customers.
We are looking forward to hearing from you!
Open every day, including Bank Holidays.
Closed on 24th, 25th and 26th December.
Reservations for groups of 8 or more only.
No bookings taken between 20 October and 15 December.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the café with a paws-on-the-floor policy.
Please do keep your dog under control and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block passageways.
Blackthorpe Barn is a step-free location with dedicated accessible parking near the entrance and two accessible toilets, one of which is in the cafe, and one in the courtyard.
Find out more and buy Rougham Estate gift vouchers by clicking here. (Opens in new tab)
Important Info
First come, First served
We operate on a first come, first served basis and only take reservations for groups of 8 or more.
(More information about reservations below)
Children
Come and visit as a family; there is a section on the menu specifically for children. Highchairs are available as well as a baby-changing unit.
Take-Away Available
Teas, coffees and cakes are available to take with you – perfect when taking the dog for a walk. Order at the front counter.
Well-behaved dogs welcome
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the café with a paws-on-the-floor policy; they will be welcomed with their own bowl of water.
- Please keep your dog under control and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block passageways.
Dietary Requirements
Vegans and vegetarians are catered for and, whilst we do our utmost to accommodate dietary and allergy requirements, gluten, nuts and animal products are used in the kitchen.
We stock gluten-free bread and serve some gluten-free dishes. Please ask if you have any queries when ordering.
- For details of allergens in each dish, please see the downloadable pdf menus below
Parking
There is plenty of free parking available, including accessible parking.
Christmas Opening and Bookings
The café is open every day except 24th, 25th and 26th December, when we are closed.
- No reservations are taken for dates between 20th October and 15th December.
Reservations for groups of 8 or more only
Larger groups can book a table in advance at Roots Café:
* Reservations for groups of 8 or more only
* Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings
* Please include a mobile number – reservations are only confirmed when you receive a call/email from us
* For groups of 10 or more, we will ask you to pre-order to help the kitchen
* No bookings are taken for bank holiday weekends, Easter weekend, Mother’s or Father’s Days and between 20 October and 15 December 2025.
To reserve a table, email rootscafe@roughamestate.com and please include a number we can call you on.
If you know that you no longer require your reservation or if your party is significantly different in size to what was booked, please let us know as soon possible.
Allergen Information
Please inform our waiting staff of any food allergies before ordering.
Our menu gives general guidance about ingredients which may affect those with food intolerance and allergies.
Please note, however, that our kitchen handles many types of food and drink each day and although we do our very best to avoid cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee this does not happen. Ultimately, the final choice about what to eat rests with you.
USING LOCALLY-SOURCED PRODUCE
The ambiance of Roots Café beautifully blends the rich history of Rougham Estate with a touch of modern, quirky elegance. Our eclectic decor echoes local stories, with pieces reflecting a unique chapter of the Estate’s tale.
But the attraction is not just visual; we bring Suffolk’s finest to your table with a menu of locally-sourced dishes and refreshments, showcasing the best seasonal ingredients as far as possible. Here’s a map of our lovely suppliers, with many products also available in the Roots Pantry Shop.
Food locality map
Roots Pantry Shop
A curated selection of locally-sourced food and drink, available to buy at the café, makes it easy for you to take the essence of Suffolk home with you.
From homemade preserves and honeys that capture the flavours of the region to handcrafted beers, locally-made cookies, doggie treats and much more, this little Pantry Shop provides a delicious touch of indulgence.
Discover our local honey
Gently made by bees gathering pollen from the lush meadows and vibrant blossoms of Rougham Estate, each jar encapsulates the harmony of the surrounding landscape.
Locally-brewed beer and distilled spirits
Buying local produce reduces the carbon-footprint and these award-winning beers, ales and spirits are made right here in Suffolk.
Chocolates and sweets
If you’re looking for a little indulgence to take with you, we have chocolates, sweets, cookies and much more.
Gift Vouchers for the café and shop
Treat someone special to a memorable visit to Rougham Estate with a gift voucher for both Roots Café and the Shop. Whether it’s coffee and a tasty brunch at Roots Café, a unique find from the Garden Room Shop, something beautiful for Christmas (from mid-October to December, including Christmas trees) or a luxury treat from the Pantry Shop, your gift voucher is valid for 1 year from the time of purchase and can be used over multiple visits.
GALLERY
Comments
Where to find us
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Plenty of free parking on site
Please keep to the 5mph 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, with the Barn on the right of the avenue.
Blackthorpe Barn’s black and white signs direct visitors from local roads.
Keep your eyes peeled
Throughout the café there are surprises to be found, from wooden crows in the rafters to doves on the dovecote (yes, you can take your tea in the dovecote) to old photographs of Rougham Estate and other wonderful and poignant items. Many are old and from the Estate and others have been handcrafted especially for Roots Café.
Can you guess which is which? Can you work out how certain items relate to the Estate? You might like to look at the history of the Estate to get some clues. Enjoy looking around and seeing what you can spot – it’s great for a game of I-spy! Why not tag us in your photos (@roughamestate) when you find them – we love to see your pictures.
Questions?
Yes, well-behaved dogs are welcome in Roots Café, with paws on the floor.
- Please keep your dog under control at all times and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block any passageways.
Yes, wheelchairs are welcome in Roots Café as well as everywhere else at Blackthorpe Barn. There is plenty of accessible parking near the entrance, as well as accessible toilets.
Have a look at the Ground Plan to see their locations
The tables are assigned on a first come, first served basis. If you are a group of 8 or more people, we can reserve a table for you. Please email rootscafe@roughamestate.com to make your booking. Your reservation is only confirmed once you receive a confirmation email.
Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings.
Yes, we accept both cards and cash at Roots.
Yes, we have the menus listed on this page.
We try to offer a range of dishes and foods that cover various dietary requirements including some dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free items. Vegans and vegetarians are catered for, and, whilst we do our utmost to accommodate dietary and allergy requirements, gluten, nuts and animal products are used in the kitchen.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know before ordering so we can do our best to accommodate you.
We’re more than happy to answer any questions about our ingredients.
Yes, we have highchairs at Roots and children have their own menu too. You can find a baby-changing unit in café toilets.
Yes we do! Gift vouchers are available to buy from £25 upwards and can be used in Roots Café, the Garden Room Shop, the Christmas Shop, in Roots Pantry Shop and towards buying Rougham Estate Christmas trees.
The gift vouchers last for 1 year from the date of purchase and can be used over multiple visits. They make great gifts, with a wide range of items to spend them on.
You can find out more and buy Rougham Estate gift vouchers by clicking here (opens in new tab).
These lovely pictures are of Rougham Estate in days gone by and wonderfully, some of the people pictured have even been to visit Roots since it opened. Rougham Estate has a very interesting history which you can read about on the Timeline page.
But of course!
The Potting Shed, Maintenance Shed and Dovecote are a real treat to sit in and enjoy your lunch or a spot of coffee and cake. It’s almost like taking a little holiday – you feel like you have been transported somewhere else.
Many of the items in or on the sheds have something to do with the history of Rougham Estate, such as the WWII plane over the dovecote which links directly to the bombing of Rougham Hall in 1940. You can read more about this in the history timeline.
While you’re here…
… why not enjoy one of the lovely walks around Rougham Estate? We have over 20 kilometres of public rights of way and an additional 5.5 kilometres of permissive rights of way granted by the Estate for further enjoyment, as well as some of our favourite routes mapped out for you. You can always start your walk with a coffee and end with a cake!
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This Saturday Artworks is opening at Blackthorpe Barn on the Rougham Estate.🎉
It’s the 25th anniversary of @artworkseast – one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives.
This year’s show features all new work, some shown here, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
Each day there is a chance to meet artists and to take part in the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) @eachhospices and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 2025, 10am – 4pm
🎟️ Free entry
🚗Plenty of free parking
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
☕️Roots Café open every day, just next door
More details from @artworkseast website and our website.
Come along and be inspired!
#Artworkseast #roughamestate #burystedmunds #suffolkart #suffolkartist #suffolkartists
This Saturday Artworks is opening at Blackthorpe Barn on the Rougham Estate.🎉
It’s the 25th anniversary of @artworkseast – one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives.
This year’s show features all new work, some shown here, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
Each day there is a chance to meet artists and to take part in the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) @eachhospices and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 2025, 10am – 4pm
🎟️ Free entry
🚗Plenty of free parking
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
☕️Roots Café open every day, just next door
More details from @artworkseast website and our website.
Come along and be inspired!
#Artworkseast #roughamestate #burystedmunds #suffolkart #suffolkartist #suffolkartists
We are recruiting!
We have a range of fantastic vacancies at our popular Roots Cafe, Rougham Estate.
From temporary to permanent positions, if you or anyone you know may be interested, you can find out more: www.roughamestate.com/welcome
All the details can be found on Indeed, using the above link.
Please share to spread the word! ☺️
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafé #vacancy #job #vacancies #baristavacancy #apply #ApplyToday
We are recruiting!
We have a range of fantastic vacancies at our popular Roots Cafe, Rougham Estate.
From temporary to permanent positions, if you or anyone you know may be interested, you can find out more: www.roughamestate.com/welcome
All the details can be found on Indeed, using the above link.
Please share to spread the word! ☺️
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafé #vacancy #job #vacancies #baristavacancy #apply #ApplyToday
The Garden Room Shop has reduced while we get ready for Christmas BUT it’s still packed with some gorgeous items.
Give your home some autumn vibes with a splash of orange and scented spiced candles for those cosy days in.
#autumn #AutumnVibes #interior #cosyvibes #pumpkin #pumpkinseason
The Garden Room Shop has reduced while we get ready for Christmas BUT it’s still packed with some gorgeous items.
Give your home some autumn vibes with a splash of orange and scented spiced candles for those cosy days in.
#autumn #AutumnVibes #interior #cosyvibes #pumpkin #pumpkinseason
Making the most of last of the sunshine we have some summer style brunch specials so why not swing by and enjoy a dish and sit in our courtyard or on our decking in the sunken garden?
This week we have:
Hot Dog with Gherkins, Rocket, Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions
Our Sandwich special:
Halloumi with Sweet Chilli Mayo, Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion and Gem Lettuce in ciabatta bread. Part of the 2 for £20 deal Monday to Thursday only.
Don’t miss out!
#Brunch #WeeklySpecials #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #RoughamEstate
Making the most of last of the sunshine we have some summer style brunch specials so why not swing by and enjoy a dish and sit in our courtyard or on our decking in the sunken garden?
This week we have:
Hot Dog with Gherkins, Rocket, Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions
Our Sandwich special:
Halloumi with Sweet Chilli Mayo, Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion and Gem Lettuce in ciabatta bread. Part of the 2 for £20 deal Monday to Thursday only.
Don’t miss out!
#Brunch #WeeklySpecials #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #RoughamEstate
New to Rougham Estate!
We have @the_roaming_sauna_ here on September 13 &14th.
Set in the Suffolk countryside, you can enjoy the custom built sauna housed within a rustic trailer, where the inviting heat wraps around you, promoting relaxation and detoxification.
Then plunge into cold water after for Contrast Therapy which is proven to boost circulation and recovery, reduce stress and tension, strengthen immunity, improve sleep leaving you energised and refreshed. What’s not to love!?
Whether you book a single session or gather friends for a private group adventure, you’re in for an unparalleled wellness escape.
Soothe your body and soul in the heart of nature.
For more or to book visit roughamestate.com/welcome
#roamingsauna #roughamestate #relax #rejenuvate #suffolkcountryside
New to Rougham Estate!
We have @the_roaming_sauna_ here on September 13 &14th.
Set in the Suffolk countryside, you can enjoy the custom built sauna housed within a rustic trailer, where the inviting heat wraps around you, promoting relaxation and detoxification.
Then plunge into cold water after for Contrast Therapy which is proven to boost circulation and recovery, reduce stress and tension, strengthen immunity, improve sleep leaving you energised and refreshed. What’s not to love!?
Whether you book a single session or gather friends for a private group adventure, you’re in for an unparalleled wellness escape.
Soothe your body and soul in the heart of nature.
For more or to book visit roughamestate.com/welcome
#roamingsauna #roughamestate #relax #rejenuvate #suffolkcountryside
Don’t miss out on @watsons_plants who are back today and tomorrow (5 & 6th September) from 10am til 4pm. Not only can you pick up some lovely plants but you can get some great advice too. #roughamestate #Watsonplants #gardenlovers #greenfingers
Don’t miss out on @watsons_plants who are back today and tomorrow (5 & 6th September) from 10am til 4pm. Not only can you pick up some lovely plants but you can get some great advice too. #roughamestate #Watsonplants #gardenlovers #greenfingers
🎉 Artworks at 25!
This September @artworkseast , one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives, celebrates 25 years of exhibiting at the beautiful, thatched Blackthorpe Barn.
What began in 1999 as a handful of artist friends with a shared vision, has grown into a much-loved annual exhibition, showcasing the diversity and talent of professional artists from across the region. This year’s show features all-new work, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
To mark the occasion Artworks is welcoming back three admired past members whose inspiring work adds to the mix of familiar names and fresh surprises: Lillias August, Louise Chapman and Lucy Lutyens.
👩🎨 Expect a warm welcome, a chance to meet artists each day and the return of the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 10-4
🎟️ Free entry
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
Artworks shown here and appearing at the forthcoming exhibition:
On Reflection by @janetfrench_printmaker
Cornerways Foxgloves by @christine.mckechnie
Fond Farewells by Cathy D’Arcy
Suffolk Stream in Autumn by @gillian_ch_art
Small Vessel 1 by @suecaddy
Searing Skyline by Terry Bryan
#Artworkseast #Artworks25 #BlackthorpeBarn #SuffolkArt #EastAngliaArtists #ContemporaryArtUK #SupportLocalArtists #EACHEastAnglia #suffolkartist
🎉 Artworks at 25!
This September @artworkseast , one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives, celebrates 25 years of exhibiting at the beautiful, thatched Blackthorpe Barn.
What began in 1999 as a handful of artist friends with a shared vision, has grown into a much-loved annual exhibition, showcasing the diversity and talent of professional artists from across the region. This year’s show features all-new work, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
To mark the occasion Artworks is welcoming back three admired past members whose inspiring work adds to the mix of familiar names and fresh surprises: Lillias August, Louise Chapman and Lucy Lutyens.
👩🎨 Expect a warm welcome, a chance to meet artists each day and the return of the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 10-4
🎟️ Free entry
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
Artworks shown here and appearing at the forthcoming exhibition:
On Reflection by @janetfrench_printmaker
Cornerways Foxgloves by @christine.mckechnie
Fond Farewells by Cathy D’Arcy
Suffolk Stream in Autumn by @gillian_ch_art
Small Vessel 1 by @suecaddy
Searing Skyline by Terry Bryan
#Artworkseast #Artworks25 #BlackthorpeBarn #SuffolkArt #EastAngliaArtists #ContemporaryArtUK #SupportLocalArtists #EACHEastAnglia #suffolkartist
Well, what a sunflower season that was! 🌞First we were worried about not enough rain and the flowers were taking for ever to grow, then our BBQ supper evening was rained off after a huge deluge.🌧️
🌻The flowers were slow to open but in the end they showed off their glorious golden colours under bright blue skies, bringing joy to thousands.
👋Thank you to everyone who came, for all your kind words and posts. It was a real pleasure to see familiar faces again and to meet new friends. These are just a few of the fabulous pics you shared 😍
🌻Bunches of sunflowers can be bought from the Garden Room Shop now.
👷But an event like this doesn’t just “happen” – it takes months of planning and hard work.
Huge thanks goes to the very hard-working team who put all the pieces together: planning, seed-drilling, preparing the field for visitors, outside partners who delivered/removed what was needed, staff who manned the site, catering staff and those who worked behind the scenes. Without you Rougham Sunflowers 2025 wouldn’t have been the same – thank you!🙏
🎨So what’s next? September promises two weeks of the inspiring 25th Anniversary ArtWorks exhibition and a Botanical Casting workshop.
🍔There is a Butchery, BBQ and Beer evening and Roots Café is open every day as is the Garden Room Shop.
📍All this happens at Blackthorpe Barn; info and tickets from our website.
🎃And in October there are the pumpkins – oh yes, the pumpkins!! They are already looking fabulous and another month of ripening will make them all the more spooktacular. The Rougham Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend in October and every day from Saturday 25th. As always, just come along – no booking needed, free entry and parking.
🌲For those who are already excited about the forthcoming sshhhh! festive season, yes, the Christmas Shop will open on 20th October and the Christmas Festival really gets going from November onwards. All the details from our website.
👋Enjoy the last days of summer and see you soon!
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #autumniscoming #burystedmunds #suffolklife #suffolkevents
Well, what a sunflower season that was! 🌞First we were worried about not enough rain and the flowers were taking for ever to grow, then our BBQ supper evening was rained off after a huge deluge.🌧️
🌻The flowers were slow to open but in the end they showed off their glorious golden colours under bright blue skies, bringing joy to thousands.
👋Thank you to everyone who came, for all your kind words and posts. It was a real pleasure to see familiar faces again and to meet new friends. These are just a few of the fabulous pics you shared 😍
🌻Bunches of sunflowers can be bought from the Garden Room Shop now.
👷But an event like this doesn’t just “happen” – it takes months of planning and hard work.
Huge thanks goes to the very hard-working team who put all the pieces together: planning, seed-drilling, preparing the field for visitors, outside partners who delivered/removed what was needed, staff who manned the site, catering staff and those who worked behind the scenes. Without you Rougham Sunflowers 2025 wouldn’t have been the same – thank you!🙏
🎨So what’s next? September promises two weeks of the inspiring 25th Anniversary ArtWorks exhibition and a Botanical Casting workshop.
🍔There is a Butchery, BBQ and Beer evening and Roots Café is open every day as is the Garden Room Shop.
📍All this happens at Blackthorpe Barn; info and tickets from our website.
🎃And in October there are the pumpkins – oh yes, the pumpkins!! They are already looking fabulous and another month of ripening will make them all the more spooktacular. The Rougham Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend in October and every day from Saturday 25th. As always, just come along – no booking needed, free entry and parking.
🌲For those who are already excited about the forthcoming sshhhh! festive season, yes, the Christmas Shop will open on 20th October and the Christmas Festival really gets going from November onwards. All the details from our website.
👋Enjoy the last days of summer and see you soon!
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #autumniscoming #burystedmunds #suffolklife #suffolkevents
Tag us @RoughamEstate
