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Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
22nd Nov
10:00 - 16:00
23rd Nov
10:00 - 16:00
Where:
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
Day Tickets (usually made available during September)
Online: £2.50
On the door: £3
No charge for children 16 and under
Weekend 2 of Arts & Crafts at Blackthorpe Barn
A visit to Arts & Crafts at Blackthorpe Barn is like stepping into a world where history and creativity come alive.
Embedded in the heart of the Suffolk countryside, this centuries-old barn brims with the energy of skilled artisans showcasing their finest handcrafted treasures—delicate ceramics, intricate textiles, and beautifully crafted woodworks.
The warm glow of the Barn’s rustic timbers, combined with the festive atmosphere, creates an enchanting setting for discovering one-of-a-kind pieces. Whether you’re hunting for unique gifts or simply soaking in the charm, Blackthorpe Barn’s craft fair is a captivating celebration of artistry and tradition and just perfect for a Christmas outing!
MAKERS at the barn for Weekend 2

Art and Weaving by Katie Green

Aulwynd Bindery

Birdfeeder Tree

Carol Page

Caroline Hyde-Brown

Ceramics Buy Anja

Claire Folkes Ceramics

Clare McEwan Illustration

Corinne Pearson-Evans

Cyndi Speer Fine Artist

Dee Ayles Jewellery

Gabriella Lane

Hand and Spark Silver

Hannah Dowding Furniture

Hassina Khan Glass

Heirloom Fairies

Honeybee Natural Beauty

Jacquie McNeill Glass Design

Jane's Handmade Hats

Janet Powell

Jasmin Rowlandson

John Gray Furniture

Julia Hulme

Juliet A Gorman
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.
FAQs
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!
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.
Makers sell their creations from individual stalls directly to visitors, using the days between the weekends to replenish their stock.
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.)
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.
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.
Most of the makers prefer to take cards, but it is up to each maker how they wish to take payment.
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.
Only assistance dogs are allowed in the Arts and Crafts Fair.
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.
Many of the makers do take commissions, but this is up to each individual maker.
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We had a fab opportunity to host the local press for an educational tour of our rethatch recently.
They got to interview owner George Agnew and master thatcher Stuart from @dodsonbrosthatchers who was very impressive.
We took the chance to capture some of our own behind-the-scenes content and educational insights to share with you soon.
It was a cold morning, but we all walked away having learned something new!
Keep your eyes peeled for the feature in the East Anglian Daily Times. 👀
Get your taste buds ready for our new weekly special at Roots Café.
This dish has chicken, bacon, our homemade Caesar dressing, mini gem lettuce and beef tomato, all served in a toasted ciabatta.
It is available now but for this week only.
Whether you are local to Rougham or visiting the grounds for a walk, it makes for a perfect stop during your day.
Join us this week to try it for yourself before the menu rotates.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafe #Suffolk #BritishFood #CafeSpecial
You may already know that all the coffee we serve here at Rougham Estate is supplied by the award-winning speciality coffee roasters @butterworths based locally in Bury St Edmunds.
Now we are pleased to say that Butterworth’s coffee is also used in all our coffee cakes too.
This one here is a delicious coffee and walnut cake (first pic) made by the fabulous @rudisbakin who makes many of our cakes.
We’re keen to support local businesses where possible.
Sunday is the perfect day for a trip out into the Suffolk countryside to have coffee and cake. You’ll find a range of sweet treats, cakes and scones here as well as a large selection of tasty drinks, hot, cold and alcoholic.
Come and enjoy!!
#supportlocal #suffolklife #suffolksfinest #burystedmunds #coffeeculture
Looking for something new this weekend?
How about trying the new Korean Buttermilk Fried Chicken dish on our Roots Café menu, with kimchi and spring onion salsa, a fried egg and gochujang BBQ sauce, all atop tasty focaccia. It’s a great breakfast to set you up for the day or as brunch, perhaps after a walk through the woods here - the snowdrops are wonderful right now.
Why not make a day of it with a browse through the Lifestyle and Garden Shop, full of delightful and desirable items to beautify your home and outdoor spaces.
Or, if you’re looking for something more refreshing, we’re pleased to have the Roaming Sauna with us all weekend. Bring your ‘cossie, a couple of towels and perhaps some friends, and enjoy the full hot and cold reset experience in the peace of the gorgeous Suffolk countryside (book directly with @the_roaming_sauna_ ).
Rougham Estate - the perfect place to relax and restore your energy at the weekend.
Roots Café open daily 9am - 4pm
Rougham Estate Shop open daily 10am - 4pm
2 minutes south of the A14, J45, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Plenty of free parking. All the details from our website.
#roughamestate #suffolkliving #suffolklife #suffolksfinest #daysoutsuffolk
Our new collection of nature-inspired Spring workshops are now open for booking.
The @the__coddiwomplers return for their popular Willow Weaving sessions, where you can make mini-baskets or sculptural flowers.
If you prefer working with light and colour,Danielle Hopkinson from @stained_glass_studio is back with her Fused Glass workshops to help you create striking garden art and sculptures.
These friendly, hands-on sessions are the perfect way to learn a new skill this season. Spaces are limited, so early booking is highly recommended.
Find out more and book your spot the link is in the bio.
#workshops #roughamestate #craftworkshops
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
Tag us @RoughamEstate





