Art and Craft at Blackthorpe Barn
Centre for showing and learning art and craft near Bury St Edmunds
Be Inspired
Blackthorpe Barn on Rougham Estate is a thriving centre for art and craft enthusiasts, providing a vibrant platform for local and regional talent. The Barn hosts inspiring exhibitions, transforming its space into a dynamic gallery to showcase a diverse range of artistic expressions.
Commitment to the arts extends beyond exhibitions, encompassing hands-on workshops taught by experienced tutors as well as the renowned Arts and Crafts Fair in November and December, attracting talented makers from around the country.
Craft Workshops
Come and discover the art of a traditional craft, perhaps for pure pleasure or to satisfy your creative aspirations. Take part in our in-person workshops at Blackthorpe Barn, where learning a new craft is a perfect stress-relieving remedy.
Led by skilled and artistic professionals, each workshop offers a delightful and relaxing learning experience in our rural Suffolk setting.
Upcoming Workshops
Art Exhibitions
The exhibitions at Blackthorpe Barn showcase a range of artistic disciplines, from contemporary pieces to traditional art forms, creating an inspirational and enriching experience for visitors.
The old thatched barn provides a unique location for both established and emerging artists, fostering a vibrant artistic community. The carefully curated exhibitions not only celebrate the beauty of art but also contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community, making Blackthorpe Barn a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts.
Arts and Crafts Fair
For over 30 years the Arts and Crafts Fair has been held at Blackthorpe Barn
- featuring textiles, ceramics, glassware, metalware, woodwork, beauty products, leather items, jewellery, basketry, food and much more
- held over 5 weekends during November and December
- showcasing some of the country’s most talented artists and craft-makers
- makers specifically chosen to ensure quality and a wide range of crafts
- each weekend features a new mix of creators and artists
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.
The Rougham Post
NEVER MISS A THING
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Have you had a look at our outdoor living furniture and accessories? This bistro set makes a lovely addition to your garden. With the splash of colour and a suitable size for most spaces. Grab it before it’s gone.
#BistroSet #OutdoorLiving #RoughamEstate #GardenRoomShop #GardenRoom #AlfrescoDining #DontMissOut #summervibes☀️
Have you had a look at our outdoor living furniture and accessories? This bistro set makes a lovely addition to your garden. With the splash of colour and a suitable size for most spaces. Grab it before it’s gone.
#BistroSet #OutdoorLiving #RoughamEstate #GardenRoomShop #GardenRoom #AlfrescoDining #DontMissOut #summervibes☀️
An afternoon well spent…
Ady, George and Suzy were delighted to be invited to the beautiful Somerleyton Hall to raise a glass to 25 years of @suffolkmag. It was a lovely celebration filled with Prosecco, canapés, and kind words shared.
They wandered through Lord Somerleyton’s breathtaking gardens, where the roses were bursting into bloom and the magnificent Tulip Tree stood proud in flower. A magical setting and a memorable day — Suffolk, you do it so well. 🌸🍾🌳
#SuffolkMagazine #SomerleytonHall #GardenWanderings #RosesInBloom #TulipTreeMagic #CountryLife #CharmingDays #SuffolkStyle
An afternoon well spent…
Ady, George and Suzy were delighted to be invited to the beautiful Somerleyton Hall to raise a glass to 25 years of @suffolkmag. It was a lovely celebration filled with Prosecco, canapés, and kind words shared.
They wandered through Lord Somerleyton’s breathtaking gardens, where the roses were bursting into bloom and the magnificent Tulip Tree stood proud in flower. A magical setting and a memorable day — Suffolk, you do it so well. 🌸🍾🌳
#SuffolkMagazine #SomerleytonHall #GardenWanderings #RosesInBloom #TulipTreeMagic #CountryLife #CharmingDays #SuffolkStyle
Happy Father’s Day!
To celebrate why don’t you pop to Roots Cafe where we have a special offer on 2 for £7 on @humberdoucybrew beer and a steak and egg special.
Tie it in with a lovely walk as the sun is shining.
#fathersday #rootscafe #specialoffer #special #Roughamestate
Happy Father’s Day!
To celebrate why don’t you pop to Roots Cafe where we have a special offer on 2 for £7 on @humberdoucybrew beer and a steak and egg special.
Tie it in with a lovely walk as the sun is shining.
#fathersday #rootscafe #specialoffer #special #Roughamestate
Meet Our Planting Heroines: Nicola and Lucy
Nicola and Lucy are the green-fingered force behind the planting of the Sunken Garden at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate — a hidden pocket of peace, beauty, and resilience.
The garden’s design and layout were created by the Rougham Estate team, transforming what was once a dried-up pond and unofficial dumping ground into a thoughtfully structured space. Lucy and Nicola then stepped in with their planting expertise to bring it to life.
Lucy, with over 20 years in horticulture, brings a deep-rooted passion for plants and the natural world. Nicola, equally devoted to the outdoors, has spent the last decade working with landscapes and learning from nature’s rhythms.
Together, they created the planting plan in early spring 2024 — a labour of love, crafted through one of the wettest winters and springs on record. They were met with compacted ground, poor soil, relentless sun in summer, and waterlogged patches in winter — a real test of gardener’s grit.
With a “right plant, right place” approach, Lucy and Nicola chose hardy perennials, grasses, and bulbs to suit the challenging conditions, support wildlife, and ensure seasonal interest. Over a thousand plants and just as many bulbs later, the garden is now in its second year — thriving, buzzing with life, and truly coming into its own.
A wild triumph. A gentle wonder. A garden with heart, history — and deep roots in teamwork.
#GardenHeroes #Teamwork #Horticulture #NatureLovers #GardeningJourney #SustainableGardening #WildlifeGarden #PlantingPassion
Meet Our Planting Heroines: Nicola and Lucy
Nicola and Lucy are the green-fingered force behind the planting of the Sunken Garden at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate — a hidden pocket of peace, beauty, and resilience.
The garden’s design and layout were created by the Rougham Estate team, transforming what was once a dried-up pond and unofficial dumping ground into a thoughtfully structured space. Lucy and Nicola then stepped in with their planting expertise to bring it to life.
Lucy, with over 20 years in horticulture, brings a deep-rooted passion for plants and the natural world. Nicola, equally devoted to the outdoors, has spent the last decade working with landscapes and learning from nature’s rhythms.
Together, they created the planting plan in early spring 2024 — a labour of love, crafted through one of the wettest winters and springs on record. They were met with compacted ground, poor soil, relentless sun in summer, and waterlogged patches in winter — a real test of gardener’s grit.
With a “right plant, right place” approach, Lucy and Nicola chose hardy perennials, grasses, and bulbs to suit the challenging conditions, support wildlife, and ensure seasonal interest. Over a thousand plants and just as many bulbs later, the garden is now in its second year — thriving, buzzing with life, and truly coming into its own.
A wild triumph. A gentle wonder. A garden with heart, history — and deep roots in teamwork.
#GardenHeroes #Teamwork #Horticulture #NatureLovers #GardeningJourney #SustainableGardening #WildlifeGarden #PlantingPassion
It’s national gin day today…
So what does that mean?
It means we need to celebrate with a special gin drink.
Rosie and Peach Gin Cocktail is a lovely refreshing drink on a hot summers day so don’t miss out while it lasts.
With Rosemary, Peach with Melfords Dry Gin and Breckland Ginger Beer, it’s a winner!
#NationalGinDay #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate #GinSpecial #Cocktail #WhileStocksLast #SummerDrink
It’s national gin day today…
So what does that mean?
It means we need to celebrate with a special gin drink.
Rosie and Peach Gin Cocktail is a lovely refreshing drink on a hot summers day so don’t miss out while it lasts.
With Rosemary, Peach with Melfords Dry Gin and Breckland Ginger Beer, it’s a winner!
#NationalGinDay #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate #GinSpecial #Cocktail #WhileStocksLast #SummerDrink
Father’s Day is this Sunday so we have a special Fathers Day dish available…
Steak, egg and hash. Don’t miss out!
If you haven’t sorted a gift yet, don’t forget we have lots of goodies in our shop and pantry, or vouchers are available.
#fathersday #gift #roughamestate #gardenroomshop #vouchers #rootscafe #treat
Father’s Day is this Sunday so we have a special Fathers Day dish available…
Steak, egg and hash. Don’t miss out!
If you haven’t sorted a gift yet, don’t forget we have lots of goodies in our shop and pantry, or vouchers are available.
#fathersday #gift #roughamestate #gardenroomshop #vouchers #rootscafe #treat
On the farm side of the estate we are always looking at investing in the future of farming – not just to grow crops more efficiently, but to do so in a way that benefits the environment.
We work closely with organisations like Syngenta, Bayer, Omex, Ryvita and the British Beet Research Organisation to trial new technologies and systems that move farming forward.
One of the latest innovations we’ve had on the estate is a camera-controlled spot sprayer, tested in partnership with Syngenta.
As you can see in action, this highly advanced machine uses 156 individual nozzles to precisely target tiny 6cm x 6cm areas, identifying weeds among sugar beet plants and spraying only where needed – all while moving at 7kph across a 6-metre working width.
The level of precision means we can significantly reduce pesticide use, which is a huge win for the environment. Less chemical use, better results, and a lighter touch on the land.
We take real pride in improving the health of our soils, crops and wider landscape – and continuing to invest in technology like this is a key part of that mission.
#RoughamEstate #SustainableFarming #FarmInnovation #EnvironmentalStewardship #PrecisionFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgTech #FarmingForTheFuture #BritishFarming
On the farm side of the estate we are always looking at investing in the future of farming – not just to grow crops more efficiently, but to do so in a way that benefits the environment.
We work closely with organisations like Syngenta, Bayer, Omex, Ryvita and the British Beet Research Organisation to trial new technologies and systems that move farming forward.
One of the latest innovations we’ve had on the estate is a camera-controlled spot sprayer, tested in partnership with Syngenta.
As you can see in action, this highly advanced machine uses 156 individual nozzles to precisely target tiny 6cm x 6cm areas, identifying weeds among sugar beet plants and spraying only where needed – all while moving at 7kph across a 6-metre working width.
The level of precision means we can significantly reduce pesticide use, which is a huge win for the environment. Less chemical use, better results, and a lighter touch on the land.
We take real pride in improving the health of our soils, crops and wider landscape – and continuing to invest in technology like this is a key part of that mission.
#RoughamEstate #SustainableFarming #FarmInnovation #EnvironmentalStewardship #PrecisionFarming #RegenerativeAgriculture #AgTech #FarmingForTheFuture #BritishFarming
Struggling to find something for Father`s Day?
Why not treat him to a voucher that can be used in Roots Café, our Garden Room shop or the Pantry?
If you`d prefer to get him something to open, we also have a fantastic range of gifts in store from edible treats to outdoor items.
We are open daily and 2 minutes from the A14😊
#FathersDay #GiftIdeas #ShopLocal #FathersDayGifts #RootsCafe #GardenRoomShop #ThePantry #SupportLocal #GiftVouchers #TreatDad
Struggling to find something for Father`s Day?
Why not treat him to a voucher that can be used in Roots Café, our Garden Room shop or the Pantry?
If you`d prefer to get him something to open, we also have a fantastic range of gifts in store from edible treats to outdoor items.
We are open daily and 2 minutes from the A14😊
#FathersDay #GiftIdeas #ShopLocal #FathersDayGifts #RootsCafe #GardenRoomShop #ThePantry #SupportLocal #GiftVouchers #TreatDad
Tag us @RoughamEstate
