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Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
15th Nov
10:00 - 16:00
16th Nov
10:00 - 16:00
Where:
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
What3Words: newly.sofas.debating
See mapPricing:
Day tickets (usually made available during September)
Online: £2.50
On the door: £3
No charge for children 16 and under
Weekend 1 of Arts & Crafts at Blackthorpe Barn
Rougham Estate is renowned for its captivating arts and crafts events that bring together artists, craftsmen, and enthusiasts from all around. Nestled in a picturesque setting, these events offer a unique platform for creativity to flourish. From workshops led by skilled artisans, where participants can learn traditional techniques and modern innovations, to vibrant art exhibitions showcasing a diverse range of visual expressions, Rougham Estates’ arts and crafts events provide an immersive experience for all.
Whether you’re an aspiring artist looking to refine your skills or simply an admirer of the creative process, these events offer a wonderful opportunity to engage with the world of art and crafts in a dynamic and inspiring environment.
Important information
Gallery
MAKERS at the barn for Weekend 1

Art and Weaving by Katie Green

Ceramics Buy Anja

Claire Pirie Ceramics

Corinne Pearson-Evans

Dominic Upson Pottery

Fleurs du Coeur

Flossy Felts

Hazel Bay

Heirloom Fairies

Hippy Hut Pottery

Honeybee Natural Beauty

Infused with Kindness

John Gray Furniture

Julia Hulme

Kate Keller

Kathy Scott

Katie Millard - Organiser

KFD Jewellery

Kittiwake Jewellery

Kurt Moore Desgin

Lady Bricks Jewellery

Leather Design and Craft

Lindsay Duff

Mac McCaughan
Where to find us
Plenty of free parking on site
Please keep to the 5mph limit
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy
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.
The Arts and Crafts Fair attracts a wide range of very talented artisans, some of whom are local to the area and others travel considerable distances to join us.
Find out which makers are joining us on each weekend by seeing the Arts and Crafts Fair page.
You can sort the makers by week and by craft.
Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Arts and Crafts Fair.
Yes, there is a different mix of makers at the Barn every weekend.
A very few makers stay with us all 5 weekends, but most makers are at the Barn for one or two weekends, with new makers joining every weekend. This means there is always something new to see each weekend.
See the Arts and Crafts Fair page for more information about which maker is with us on which weekend. You can sort the grid of makers by week and by craft.
Yes, we accept both cards and cash for the Arts and Crafts Fair.
Or you can buy a ticket for a reduced price online.
Children 16 and under are admitted for free.
Most of the makers prefer to take cards, but it is up to each maker how they wish to take payment.
Many of the makers do take commissions, but this is up to each individual maker.
A day ticket for the Arts and Crafts Fair gives you entry to that one day of the Craft Fair, where around 50 makers have gathered.
You can buy the ticket online for £2.50 or for £3 on-the-door.
The season ticket is a great option if you are a fan of quality, handcrafted items.
For £10 (online) or £12 on-the-door, the season ticket gives you access to all 5 weekends (10 days) of the Arts and Crafts Fair. (This price is less than a single day ticket for many equivalent craft fairs in the region.)
There is a wide range of arts and crafts for sale at the fair, from jewellery and ceramics to leather-, glass-, metal- and woodwork, food and drink, art and much more.
Each maker is specifically selected to ensure quality and variety.
You can see more about the makers on the Arts and Craft Fair page.
The cost of the maintenance of an ancient barn such as this one is considerable, as is running an event like the Arts and Crafts Fair.
In order to support the makers and artisans we distribute these costs over both the stall-holders and visitors, thereby keeping the stall-holder fees down.
We charge a small entry fee for every visitor over 16, pricing our tickets very modestly compared to most other craft shows of this calibre.
The £2.50 (online) or £3 on-the-door day-ticket price is less than, for example, standard online postage costs, dropping to £1 per day for an online season ticket. That’s significantly less than a cup of coffee!
Our prices have remained the same over the past years despite the costs rising. By contributing the small entrance cost, you are supporting both Suffolk heritage and the talented craft-makers.
Thank you!
Makers sell their creations from individual stalls directly to visitors, using the days between the weekends to replenish their stock.
Yes, the different parts of the Barn has heating; Roots Café and the toilets have underfloor heating, the shop and the long barn have gas heating and the thatched barn has radiant electric heaters.
Related Events
Never miss a thing
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Since the Barn rethatch has been so popular, we’ve decided to share regular updates on our progress and answer some of your questions.
While you can see the transformation in person (but only from the ground), these posts are for those who can’t stop by regularly and for those who want to see it from a bird’s eye view. They also serve as a wonderful visual record of the project.
As you drive down the avenue towards Blackthorpe Barn, you’ll notice the piles of straw waiting to be transported to the Barn by digger. Progress is well underway and we’re looking forward to sharing the milestones with you!
To answer some of your questions:
Is it full of life?
Absolutely. The old thatch is a bustling habitat for spiders, beetles, moth larvae, and more. It’s its own little ecosystem!
Can we watch?
We’d love for you to see the progress! You and your children are more than welcome to observe from our designated safe zones.
Does the new thatch go on top of the old?
Yes! As long as the base layer is still in good condition, they don`t need to strip it back to the rafters. We remove the weathered surface and fix the new thatch directly into the sturdy old layer. It’s a bit like adding a fresh, protective coat over a solid foundation.
Keep your questions coming. We love to answer them!
#Rethatch #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #restoringheritage
Before the first customer walks through the door, the Rougham Estate is already buzzing with the morning hustle, shared laughs, and a brew or two.
It’s the hidden energy, the morning prep, and the care poured into every single corner.
We love the buzz of a busy day and the team that brings it all to life. It’s what we do, and we love every second of it!
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #roughamestateshop #shopinburystedmunds
Our special for this week has a Mediterranean twist.
Get an early taste of summer with this dish of greek giant beans on toasted sourdough with cashew cream, tzatziki, pickled red onions and dill.
Only available this week at Roots Café so don’t miss out.
#Suffolkfood #BrunchSpecials #Eatlocal #Rootssuffolk #RoughamEstate
Sauna season has arrived back at Rougham Estate and is back for February & March.
The Roaming Sauna, led by Sophie, was recently featured by Muddy Stilettos as one of Suffolk’s local wellness experts.
Set against the peaceful backdrop of the Estate, this experience combines the deep heat of a wood-fired sauna with invigorating cold-water plunge tubs providing a powerful contrast therapy experience designed to:
- Boost circulation
- Ease tired muscles
- Clear the mind
- Leave you feeling completely reset
Whether you come with friends, family or simply for some quiet time to yourself, this offers a simple but powerful way to restore balance at this in-between seasonal moment.
You can find the sauna here on:
• 21st & 22nd February
• 7th & 8th March
• 14th & 15th March
• 21st & 22nd March
Book via link in bio or visit www.theroamingsauna.com
Tag someone who needs this or save this for your next reset!
#SuffolkWellness #VisitSuffolk #WoodFiredSauna #ThingsToDoInSuffolk ContrastTherapy
Happy Valentines Day! ❤️
There’s loads we love on the Estate but with new stock arriving all the time in the Rougham Estate Shop, we went to find out what new items are our team’s favourite.
What’s yours?
#roughamestate #valentinesday #lifestyle
This Valentine’s Day, share the love with our specials - only available this weekend, on Saturday 14th and Sunday 15th Feb.
We have:
🍰 Waffle, strawberries, raspberries, Chantilly cream, Nutella sauce, white chocolate and vanilla sauce, and sprinkled with chocolate soil.
☕️Marimba vanilla ruby mocha.
🍷 Prosecco, elderflower cordial, raspberry syrup with mint - if you’re after something with a kick.
Don’t miss out.
#RootsCafe #RoughamEstate #valentinesday
Have you noticed that there are some new dishes on our menu at Roots Café? The newcomer for breakfast time is the Breakfast Bun; perfect for smaller appetites when a full fry-up is too much, or perhaps as a mid-morning snack to keep you going.
It includes grilled sausage meat, black treacle bacon, a fried egg, roasted beef tomato and marinara mayo all nestled inside a toasted brioche bun.
Available all day from 9am. Why not order it the next time you’re here!
Don’t forget our 10% off promotion for your second visit is still running until the end of February.
We’re just off the A14, J45, east of Bury St Edmunds - the perfect breakfast pit-stop.
#suffolkfood #suffolklife #roughamestate
It’s been just over a week since the master thatchers @dodsonbrosthatchers arrived at the Estate to start work on our much loved Blackthorpe Barn.
Watching this ancient craft unfold is a rare privilege for the Estate so we wanted to share the journey so far with you, as it’s not every day you get to see a piece of history being preserved quite like this.
If there is anything you’d like to know about the thatching leave a comment and we’ll try and include the answer in our next update post.
#thatching #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn
Tag us @RoughamEstate
ART & CRAFTS
All Arts & Crafts things on the Rougham Estate. Keep up to date.













