Downs Wood Walk and Footpath
- 30 minutes
- easy
- 1.2 miles
About
This walk takes you through the Downs Wood and on the far side takes you round some beautiful paths with views of Rougham Church before returning to the Blackthorpe Barn through the wood again. If it’s been raining recently, the paths through the woods may be muddy and slippery in places and there may be some branches across the path if it’s been windy.
The walk starts at Blackthorpe Barn where you can find plenty of free parking as well as Roots Café and the new Garden Room shop. Please remember that the gates to the avenue entrance are locked after the Cafe and Shop close. More details here.
For more general information about this and other walks, see Walks around Rougham Estate. We hope you have a lovely walk.
Use the Google Map below on your phone to follow the path shown or print the route out, if you prefer, using the Download PDF button near the top of the page.
If you can’t access the map through the image above, use this google map link
Go on the Downs Wood and Footpath Walk with George and Bolly in this video, where George Agnew narrates the walk covering interesting information along the way:
Weather
Saturday
20.2°C
Today
20°C
Tomorrow
22.5°C
Waypoints
01
Step 1
From Blackthorpe Barn turn right and pass through the carparks along the concrete road until you reach the Downs Wood on your right.
02
Step 2
A path leads into the wood shortly after you reach its boundary. Follow this path, past some old air raid shelters on your right which are left over from the old airbase located here in Rougham during the Second World War. Shortly after the second air raid shelter, bear left and then turning left after about 50 metres. Follow through the wood to the far end.
03
Step 3
At this point turn right at a T junction. Follow this path out of the wood with a hedge on your left. You will see Rougham Church appear through the hedgerow. Follow this path until it meets a path crossing your path.
04
Step 4
Turn right down this path and follow it between the fields until you meet the public road in front of you. Here you will find a poop bin, which might prove useful!
05
Step 5
Turn right here and follow along the edge of the field, with the road on your left until you reach the end of the field.
06
Step 6
Here, turn slightly left and onto the pavement as you approach some houses called The Downs and named after the wood behind.
07
Step 7
Follow this pavement round to the right as you walk down the roadway between the two rows of houses. After passing a pair of semi-detached bungalows and then a pair of semi-detached houses on your left you will find an entrance to the wood on your left behind a garage.
08
Step 8
Enter the wood here and follow the path straight ahead. The path forks as you continue after 50 metres.
09
Step 9
Take the right fork and continue. You then reach an island in the path ahead and can pass either side of it but continue in a straight line further on until you see a small path lead off to the left.
10
Step 10
Follow this small path to the left, out of the wood. You will now have reached one of the further carparks of Blackthorpe Barn.
11
Step 11
Walk slightly right as you approach the road through the carparks. Turn left onto the road and follow through to the end where you will see signs directing you to the Roots Café for some well-earned refreshment.
Important information
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 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 who would also like to walk.
Finally, you will not be able to see where they poop 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!
The Rougham Estate walks, starting from Blackthorpe Barn, are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way. They mostly pass through woodland and along field-side paths.
Each walk is given a difficulty rating ranging from “easy”, which are the most accessible, to “hard”, which are the most challenging and may include stiles, kissing gates, steps, steep slopes and meadows with cattle.
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 than 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.
The Estate cannot accept responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred during visits or walks on the Estate, though every effort is made to make them as usable as possible.
Please ensure that you carry poop bags with you on your dog walks. If you don’t have any with you, you can buy some in the Garden Room Shop. It is so important that you clear up after your dog and then take the bag away with you.
You will find poop 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, and creates a problem for wildlife, so please do take them with you.
Thank you so much.
We have given each walk a difficulty level, as a guide to the potential walker as to what to expect, from “easy” to “hard”.
The Rougham Estate walks are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way, at times passing through woodland and along field-side paths.
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 between the two.
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.
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.
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.
Other routes
Waypoints 4-10
01/07
02/07
03/07
04/07
05/07
06/07
07/07
Start your walk with a coffee, end with a cake.
Experience a charming and cosy spot located in the heart of the beautiful countryside. The café boasts a tranquil and serene atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
NEVER MISS A THING
Follow us on social
We’re running a photography competition and we want to see Rougham Estate through your eyes.
Whether it’s the barn, the meadows, the woodland, a quiet corner you’ve discovered on a walk or something you’ve spotted that made you stop, we want to see it.
The winning photograph will win a £100 gift voucher to spend at Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Shop including the Christmas Shop and Christmas trees.
The deadline to submit your photo has been extended to 12th July.
Here’s how to enter:
📸 Take your photo at Rougham Estate or choose one you’ve taken here in the past.
📲 Post it on Instagram; tag us @roughamestate and mention the Rougham Estate Through Your Lens competition in the caption
🏆 The winner will be chosen by our judging panel as well as by our visitors and followers, and will be announced on 5th August. The winner will receive £100 voucher to spend as they wish here, in either the café or the shop, with the voucher valid for 1 year.
There are no rules about style or subject. The picture just needs to be from Rougham Estate.
We can’t wait to see what you come up with.
🔗 Full details of the competiton from our website – link in profile.
As per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
#photographycompetiton #suffolklife #takeapicture #burystedmunds
Yes – Rougham Sunflowers are back for 2026! 🌻
The seeds have been drilled and the little plants are growing well in this lovely weather.
You’ll find all your favourites back again: the maze through the flowers, space to run and play, the big bale pyramid will be back, ready to be climbed on, lots of props for photo-ops and there will be the ever-popular face painting too.
We’ll have food, drink and ice cream available at the field and yes, you are welcome to bring your own picnic as well.
When will the sunflower fun start? Well, we’re watching the flowers very carefully. At the moment we think they will be bursting open around the end of July, but as you know, this could change. We’ll keep you updated here, and on our website, as to when the actual opening date will be.
As always, it will be free to park and free to enter. Just pay for any flowers you pick and any food or drink you want.
Once the field is open, we’ll be open every day until the flowers start fading, which is usually about 3 weeks after opening.
Well-behaved dogs will be welcome in the picnic area on a short lead and in the special dog-path through the sunflowers, but not in the main sunflower maze due to problems with fouling in previous years.
New for this year, we’ve got some special one-off events planned; more about those when we get closer to the time.
But where are the sunflowers this year? They have moved from north of the A14, Junction 45 (just east of Bury St Edmunds) to a field about the same driving distance south of the same junction. The old field needs a bit of a rest from growing the sunflowers and pumpkins for a while.
This reel includes some of our favourite memories from previous years.
Tell us – what are your favourite memories of the sunflowers? Show us your best pics!
And what are you most looking forward to? For us – we can’t wait to welcome you back!!
See you soon! 🌻🌻
#roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #sunflowers #burystedmunds
How is it July already!?
June was an incredible month with the heatwave and days reaching record temperatures – the Estate was buzzing with life (and bees 😁) and al fresco dining.
Thank you all for supporting us through another great month and goodbye June!
Let’s see what July has in store for us…
#roughamestate #rootscafe #suffolk
Don’t like wasting food? This fermentation workshop is for you…
Fermentation is a natural, low-energy way to preserve seasonal produce. The friendly microbes turn sugars into delicious tangy, long-lasting foods, helping you save surplus veg and cut waste.
Great served as a condiment, in sandwiches or with a bit of cheese 😋
In this workshop you’ll learn to make kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles and more using fresh produce.
The session includes guided fermentation, tastings, safe-storage tips and take-home jars so you can keep fermenting at home.
Spaces are limited — details and tickets can be found on our website.
#workshop #roughamestate #whattodoinbury
Ready for this week’s tasty new arrivals at Roots Cafe? Pop in today, we’re open daily 9–4 and pouring a refreshing Lemon & Elderflower Fizz special.
Or dishing up brunch of toasted sourdough topped with avocado, grilled Halloumi, pesto and dukkah spice.
If you fancy something a bit lighter we have pesto pasta salad with courgette, corn and cucumber trips topped with feta chunks and lemon and mint dressing.
Swing by this week and give them a try, see you at Roots!
#roughamestate #specials #summerdishes
Want to win £100 to spend at Rougham Estate? Tag us in your photo taken on the Estate and mention this competition in your caption.
Do you have some lovely pictures you’ve taken around here on the Estate? We’d love to see them and we’re offering a prize for the best one as voted for by our judging panel, and our visitors and followers.
If your photo is picked as the favourite, you will win a £100 gift voucher to spend at Roots Café or at the Rougham Estate Shop, which includes the Christmas Shop and Christmas trees. The voucher is valid for 1 year and can be spent over multiple visits. What would you spend your £100 on?
To enter, post your picture on Instagram, tag us @roughamestate and mention Rougham Estate Through Your Lens Competition in the caption.
Here are some example pictures we’ve taken around the Barn. Why not visit the Estate this weekend and see what pictures you can take. It’s free to visit with free parking.
All the details about the competition can be found on our website.
This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
#burystedmunds #suffolkphotography #photographycompetition #suffolkcountryside
It’s set to be one of the warmest days on record, followed by a rather warm weekend too!
Please note: To help look after the welfare of our team, the Shop and Roots Café will be closing at 2pm today (Friday). Thank you for your understanding.
So why not stay cool and hydrated with one of our iced drinks?
Each week we feature a special made from our homemade seasonal syrups. A very popular refreshing choice is the lemon & mint spritz, which is still on special it’s that popular!
There’s no better excuse to visit Rougham Estate to cool down and enjoy a delicious iced drink in the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
#drinkspecial #iceddrink #roughamestate
We are seeking a new Barista! So if you have an interest in coffee and enjoy making people smile, we would love to hear from you.
Roots is a reputable café set in a beautiful, scenic location, and we pride ourselves on creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for both our customers and our staff. This role is perfect if you are looking for a reliable, lovely place to work where your day-to-day efforts are genuinely valued.
You will get to work with a fantastic team in a gorgeous setting, doing what you do best. If this sounds like the right fit for you, please tap the link in our profile to view the full details and apply.
#vacancy #roughamestate #jobadvert
Tag us @RoughamEstate
