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.
Some walks temporarily closed
A large new water main is in the process of being installed across the Estate from west to east. It is part of a massive infrastructure project and it is crossing a number of public footpaths which have been closed whilst the work is undertaken. This sadly is impacting our walks network and so some paths must be temporarily closed.
We have removed these walks from the website and will reinstate them when they are open again. The walks shown here on this page are all open.
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
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The storms have started… so we have adjusted our opening times for this weekend and any last minute changes will be put up on our website, and on our stories.
We’ll be opening as usual at 9am on Saturday 24th October and we’ll stay open until mid-afternoon. The decision of exactly when to close will depend on when the weather starts to deteriorate.
Unfortunately we have had to cancel the Pumpkins by Torchlight and Silent Disco, which is a real shame, but we were unable to re-schedule the event and the weather looks too bad to even think about holding it on Saturday. Everyone who bought headset tickets has been refunded, but it may take a number of business days before your payment shows back on your original form of payment.
On Sunday 25th, we currently think we will delay opening until around midday, but this will depend on what the weather is doing and how the field is holding up. Once we know more about opening on Sunday, we’ll put a note on our website and put up a story on socials.
With the rain we’ve had recently, bring wellies and wrap up warmly, probably with a waterproof.
There are still plenty of pumpkins in the patch thinking “Pick me! Pick me!!”
And we still have a fantastic line-up of food and drink for you here:
Roots&Co – venison burgers, beef burgers, crumble, drinks including a bar – cider, lager, wine.
@badboiburritos – toasted burritos
@itsotisbreading – sourdough toasties
@tikka_tonic – New Delhi style street food
@pigs_in – all your pork favourites
@thecreperieshack – sweet & savoury crepes
@geegeebakes – cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@fullthrottlecoffeeco – coffees
@kiernanscoffee – tasty treats and warming drinks deep in the patch
Free entry, free parking, no booking needed.
A bit of weather won’t put a damper on things… come on down, enjoy some great food, find your pumpkins, and make the most of this changeable autumn weather!!
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
It’s been a week since we welcomed subscribers from our newsletter mailing list and Suffolk Magazine to an exclusive preview of our Christmas Shop, giving them the chance to explore and shop before we officially opened to everyone on Monday.
The shop is now in full festive flow, open daily 9:30am-5pm, and it’s lovely to hear how much customers are enjoying this year’s displays and discovering new favourites.
Our preview event was about more than getting an early look at Christmas. Guests had the opportunity to meet the team and enjoy creative demonstrations and tutorials, picking up inspiration and ideas for making Christmas extra special at home.
Would you like to be among the first to shop next year?
Sign up to the Rougham Estate newsletter using the subscription form in the footer of any page on our website. You’ll be among the first to hear our latest news and have the chance to join us for future exclusive events.
#RoughamEstate #SuffolkMagazine #ChristmasAtRougham
From what happens in your dreams to what happens in a fermentation jar, there’s plenty to get curious about at Rougham Estate over the next few weeks…
We have two very different events coming up at Blackthorpe Barn, and there’s still time to join us:
Wake up to your dreams
Why do we dream, and what might our dreams tell us? On Saturday 7 November, psychotherapist Gilly Crow will lead an engaging session exploring the fascinating world of dreams and what they might reveal about us.
9.15am–12pm | £15 per person
On Saturday 31 October, join chef Rowen Halstead to explore the art of fermentation using seasonal ingredients. You’ll learn new techniques and make spiced pumpkin sauerkraut and orchard fruit kombucha chutney to take home.
Already been to one of our fermentation workshops? Doesn’t matter, each session explores different seasonal ingredients and techniques, so this is a fresh opportunity to learn something new.
11am–12.30pm | £38 per person
Both events take place in the Meadow Room at Blackthorpe Barn, with refreshments included.
Spaces are limited, so if either has caught your interest, now’s the time to book.
Find out more and reserve your place via the Rougham Estate website – or link in our bio
#RoughamEstate #SuffolkWorkshops #FermentationWorkshop #WakeUpToYourDreams SuffolkEvents BlackthorpeBarn AutumnAtRougham
2026 is a significant year for us here at Rougham Estate, with three special milestones to celebrate.
On 18 October, we celebrated three years of Roots Café.
And as we reopen the doors to our Christmas shop at Blackthorpe Barn for another festive season, we’re also marking its 25th anniversary.
But perhaps most astonishingly, when the Arts & Crafts Fair opens its doors on 14 November, we’ll be celebrating its 35th year!
Three milestones, each with its own story, and all part of what makes Rougham Estate such a special place to visit. A huge thank you to everyone who has supported us along the way. We look forward to welcoming you this season.
#RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #Anniversaries
EVENT CANCELLED DUE TO THE WEATHER
Headset tickets will be refunded.
It was so good, we’re doing it again!
Pumpkins by Torchlight and the famous Silent Disco was a total blast last Saturday evening and we sold out of headsets.
For this weekend (Saturday 24th Oct) we’ve managed to get hold of some more, so we still have headset tickets left!
There are those who had such a good time last Saturday, they’ve booked again for this weekend.
Come along and join in the fun, scout through the pumpkins by torchlight, grab some great food, toast s’mores, climb on the big bales, all while having a great boogie.
Not forgetting face painting by @faceitfaceart
🎃Free entry, free parking, no booking needed to come along. Open 6pm-9pm.
🕺If you want to join the silent disco, book your headset on our website: £6 per headset.
Booking essential.
We run a waiting list on the night, but can’t guarantee you’ll get one.
🎃3 channels of music, one child-friendly
🎃Dogs on a short lead welcome in the play area and small doggy patch, but not in the main patch
🎃A great line-up of food trucks serving all day and in the evening (see next images)
🎃Find us at IP30 9HX
🎃All the details on our website (and under the next pictures)
Fabulous food on Saturday evening from:
Roots&Co – venison burgers, beef burgers, crumble, drinks including a bar – cider, lager, wine.
@whatthe_peck – Suffolk-reared fried chicken
And…
@badboiburritos – toasted burritos
@itsotisbreading – sourdough toasties
@tikka_tonic – New Delhi style street food
And…
@thecreperieshack – sweet & savoury crepes
@geegeebakes – cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@fullthrottlecoffeeco – coffees
This is the last Pumpkins by Torchlight for 2026 – don’t miss it!
We’ll be open daily 24-31 October, 9am-5pm over half term. Free entry, no booking needed.
Quieter, ticketed SEN sessions on 27th and 29th, 9am-10am. Tickets available from our website.
See you soon 👋
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #pumpkinsbytorchlight #burystedmunds
Our new seasonal menu has arrived at Roots Café, bringing a fresh selection of breakfast, brunch and lunch options to enjoy.
The menu includes a fresh corner with granola, overnight oats and fruit bowls, alongside our traditional fry-ups and a wider choice of brunch dishes.
There are eggs and hollandaise with your choice of topping, avocado on sourdough, pulled chicken croissants and mushrooms on toast.
For lunch, the new menu features a range of ciabattas, from roasted courgette with red pepper hummus to pulled pork with sage and onion stuffing, as well as roasted pumpkin with whipped feta and chicken with brie and cranberry.
Salad of the week has also been replaced with something warmer- a soup, perfect for the cooler months.
And for those with a sweet tooth, there are two new seasonal desserts: pumpkin loaf cake with ginger mascarpone and spiced apple swirl with butterscotch sauce. We also have fresh pastries from the Friendly Loaf each day.
Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, meeting friends for lunch or warming up after a walk around the Estate, there’s plenty to enjoy at Roots Café this autumn and winter.
Open daily until 5pm now (4pm on Sundays), making a perfect pit stop after Christmas shopping at our Rougham Estate Christmas Shop.
#rootscafe #roughamestate #newmenu #burystedmunds
The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! 🎅🏼
Christmas magic has officially started here at Rougham Estate with the opening of our Christmas Shop, marking the start of our biggest season of the year.
This year, we’re inviting you to step inside a Christmas story, with beautifully styled rooms, thousands of decorations, thoughtful gifts and festive inspiration around every corner.
From traditional Christmas charm to playful pops of colour and cosy alpine styling, there’s plenty to discover as you explore.
And this is just the beginning. Our Arts & Crafts Fair returns for five weekends from 14th November, bringing talented makers from across Britain, while Christmas tree sales begin on 20th November.
Roots Café is open daily until 5pm throughout the Christmas season (4pm on Sundays), so why not make a day of it with a coffee, something delicious to eat and a little festive shopping?
Whether you’re starting your Christmas preparations or simply looking for a lovely day out, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Come and step inside our Christmas story and let us know what you think!
Open Monday–Saturday, 9.30am–5pm
Sunday, 9.30am–4pm
Free entry and free parking.
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #BlackthorpeBarn
Tomorrow, the story begins!
The elves are packing up as we’re getting ready to welcome you into our Country Christmas Shop at Blackthorpe Barn.
Discover beautifully styled festive rooms, thousands of decorations, unique gifts and inspiration for your own Christmas. From traditional charm to contemporary colour and cosy alpine styling, there’s something to enjoy around every corner.
And when you need a festive pit stop, Roots Café will be ready to welcome you, too.
We open tomorrow, Monday 19 October!
Opening times:
Monday–Saturday, 9.30am–5pm
Sunday, 9.30am–4pm
Free entry and free parking. We can’t wait to see you!
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #ChristmasShop
Tag us @RoughamEstate
