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Event Series Event Series: Pick your own Christmas Tree

Key details

When:

Date:

Time:

9th Nov

10:00 - 16:00

10th Nov

10:00 - 16:00

16th Nov

10:00 - 16:00

17th Nov

10:00 - 16:00

Where:

This year’s plantation is at:

The Rookery
Sow Lane
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds
SatNav: IP30 9HZ

See map

Pricing:

Tickets to come to the plantation

Per tree: £10

Trees from: approx. £20

Collection Weekends:

23/24 Nov, 30 Nov/1 Dec, 7/8 Dec Trees are held until the following Thursday

Choose your tree on the plantation

Visits to the plantation have now finished for 2024.
Freshly-cut Rougham Estate trees are available daily from 22 November to 22 December 2024 at Blackthorpe Barn.

If you have any queries about your tree, email us on hello@roughamestate.com

Everyone has their own idea of the perfect Christmas tree. What could be better than going onto the plantation and choosing it for yourself, right where it has been growing for years! You can wander through hundreds of trees of different shapes and sizes until you find “the One”.

It’s a wonderful experience for everyone; very exciting for children, and your dog (on a lead) is welcome to come with you too.

We’ll cut your special tree, perfectly fresh, just a day or two before your selected collection date.
Choose from 3 collection weekends when you book; your tree will be at the Barn ready, wrapped and waiting for you and is held until the following Thursday. At a time that suits you (within our opening times), come to Blackthorpe Barn, pay for your tree, take it home and make it look beautiful for the festive season (perhaps include a visit to the Christmas shop for some new decorations!).

Tree Prices

This year’s pricelist for cut trees is available a week or so before the PYO Tree weekends.
Rough price guides from previous years are:
6ft Nordmann/Fraser Firs: approximately £45,
6ft Norway Spruce: approximately £30.
Your tree will be measured and priced according to the current year’s prices.

The PYO Tree service of locating, cutting and preparing your chosen tree for your specific collection date costs £10 in addition to the normal cost of the tree.

If you prefer, you are welcome to buy a pre-cut tree or a potted tree without visiting the plantation.

Rougham Estate is a proud member of the British Christmas Tree Growers Association.
logo for british christmas tree growers association

Important information

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Booking Required

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Dog friendly

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Plenty of free parking

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Wheelchairs and prams are welcome on the plantation. Please note that the terrain is very uneven and can be muddy if it’s been raining

HOW IT WORKS

01

Booking your time slot

Book your time-slot ticket for when you would like to come and choose your tree. You can come with as many people as you like; the time-slot ticket is to time your arrival at the plantation and the cost is per tree selection.
With each time-slot ticket, you are able to choose up to 3 trees. Upon booking, please tell us how many trees you would like to choose, and let us know the name to go on the name-tag for each tree. Each tree incurs a cost of £10. The first tree is paid for online and we will take the payment for any extra trees at the check-in to the plantation.
When you are booking, let us know when you would like to collect your tree(s) from the 3 weekends on offer (end of November to mid December); trees are held for you until the following Thursday after your collection weekend. You don’t have to come at the weekend.
Unfortunately we are unable to change your collection weekend once you have chosen it.
The cost of £10 per tree is in addition to the cost of the tree.

02

Arrival

Arrive at the plantation in enough time before your designated timeslot to check in (map below). You are welcome to come with the whole family and your dog, on a short lead.
Park near the plantation where you will see a banner and the Christmas tree hut. There is plenty of free parking at The Rookery.
In the event of poor weather on the day, we still go ahead with the timed check-ins on the plantation and cannot rebook your time-slot.
A smooth check-in for everyone depends on the timed arrival process working well – please help us by arriving on time.

03

Collect your personalised label

Check in at the plantation, confirm your details including your chosen collection weekend and collect your special tree labels at the hut.
If you want to choose more than one tree, pay for the extra trees here, £10/tree (card preferred).

04

Finding your tree

When you have found your tree, tie the special label on the top so we can find it easily at cutting time and get it ready for you.
Why not take a selfie with your tree!

05

Location

Make a note of the numbered area in which your tree is located, to let us know where to find your tree.

06

Tell us where to find your tree

On your way out, stop off at the check-in and let us know which numbered area your tree is in and what type of tree it is, if you know.

07

Get yourself a warming drink

Blackthorpe Barn is about 1 minute away, so perhaps go to Blackthorpe Barn’s Roots Café for a warming drink after your adventure, or for a browse around the shop, which is open on both PYO Tree weekends and the Arts and Crafts Fair, open on the second PYO Tree weekend.

08

And relax...

Head home with the knowledge that you are going to get the exact tree that you want to be the centrepiece of your Christmas festivities, freshly cut and prepared for you, ready when you want it.

09

Tree Cutting

Just a day or two before your selected collection days we will go to the plantation, find your tree, cut it and bring it to the Barn where we will prepare and wrap it for collection.

10

Collection

Come to collect your tree on your chosen weekend. It will be waiting for you, ready and netted in the tree sales area, to the side of the big Barn.
If you can’t make it at the weekend, we will hold your tree until the end of the following Thursday.
Pay for your tree, take it home, and enjoy!
See the tips on looking after your cut tree.

11

Tree Delivery

We can offer a tree delivery service within a 30 mile radius of the Barn, if preferred. The delivery cost depends upon the distance.
Please email Simon Eddell (Christmas Tree Manager) on simon@roughamestate.com

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Things to bring

  • Warm and waterproof clothes: tree branches can be very wet
  • Gloves: some trees can be quite prickly
  • Sturdy footwear: the plantation be muddy with puddles
  • A tape measure to make sure that the tree is the perfect size to fit your house
Predominantly Nordmann Fir

Due to most people wanting Nordmann Fir for the long needle-retention times and softer needles, this is the predominant tree grown. However, there are other types of tree including Norway Spruce and Fraser Fir, but in smaller numbers.

Plantation

Due to trees being grown in cycles, the plantation is constantly evolving, with some trees being cut and others becoming bigger. Therefore the area from which customers can choose a tree will alter as years go by.

Information about pre-cut trees here
See other Christmas events

PLEASE NOTE

When trees are cut

For safety reasons, we cannot cut any trees in the plantations on days when the public are there and members of the public cannot cut trees themselves.
Your chosen tree will be cut at least a week (or more) after your visit the plantation.

Cancellations

If you are no longer able to attend do please cancel your ticket, releasing the time slot for someone else.
Refunds can only be given if the booking is cancelled 3 days in advance of the booked time.
Please fill in the cancellation form (link in the ticket email).

WHERE TO FIND US

Address: The Rookery
Sow Lane
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
What3Words: dries.desire.export
Parking:

Plenty of parking at The Rookery.
Free to park.
Disabled access to the field is available.
This is a field which can be muddy and uneven underfoot.

Directions:

The plantation at The Rookery is situated just south of Junction 45 of the A14, between the junction of the A14 and the entrance to Blackthorpe Barn.
The entrance to the plantation is just opposite the entrance to Ravenwood Hall Hotel, about 200m from the Barn.

FAQs

Can you cut my tree to be collected at another time, rather than on my chosen weekend?

The PYO Christmas Tree event is set up to be as efficient as possible, which means that each tree is labelled with a coloured tag and all trees with that colour label are cut at the same time.
We are unable to go and search for your specific tree on the plantation and cut it on another day, to prepare it for collection at a time different to your chosen collection times.

Can I bring my dog to the PYO Christmas Tree?

Yes, you are welcome to bring well-behaved dogs on a lead to the Christmas Tree plantation when you come to choose your tree.

What do I need to bring with me to PYO Christmas Tree?

If the weather is a bit chilly, dress up warmly – the plantation is all outside. If it’s been raining, do wear wellies.
You may like to bring gloves because the trees can be a bit prickly, and bring a camera to take a picture of your beautiful tree and where it has been growing.

Bring the family – it’s a great experience for young children.
You are welcome to bring your well-behaved dog on a short lead too.

I can’t collect my tree on my chosen weekend; can it be cut for another weekend?

Once your tree has been tagged with your colour-coded label, your chosen collection weekend cannot be changed.
All the trees with the same colour label are cut at the same time (Red: Weekend 1, Blue: Weekend 2, Orange: Weekend 3).

However, your tree will be held for you from the start of your chosen collection weekend until closing time on the following Thursday, so you have six days to pick it up.

If your tree is not collected by the end of that Thursday, it will be offered for general sale with the other cut trees.

What types of trees do you have?

Due to most people wanting Nordmann Fir for the long needle-retention times and softer needles, this is the predominant tree grown.
However, there are other types of tree including Norway Spruce and Fraser Fir, but in smaller numbers.

Is the plantation at Blackthorpe Barn?

The PYO Christmas Tree event happens at one or other of the tree plantations on Rougham Estate. Which plantation is used is only decided close to the picking weekends.

In 2024 the plantation is The Rookery, which isn’t actually at Blackthorpe Barn but is very close and is halfway between the Barn and junction 45 of the A14. You can find the details of how to get there in the Where To Find Us section of the PYO Trees page.

How do I get to Blackthorpe Barn; what postcode do I use on SatNav?

To get to the Barn, use this postcode: IP30 9HZ.
Not all events on Rougham Estate happen at Blackthorpe Barn; please check the specific details for the event you wish to attend.
More information on finding us easily can be found on our visitor information page.

Do I have to pick my tree up at the weekend?

We will cut your selected tree a day or two before your chosen collection weekend and will hold the tree for you until closing time on the following Thursday.
You can collect your tree at any point from the Saturday morning until the Thursday evening (during our opening times).
If you haven’t collected your tree by the end of Thursday, your tree will be added to the general cut Christmas trees sales area for anyone else to select and buy.

How many people can I bring to the plantation?

You are welcome to come as a family to the plantation to choose your Christmas tree(s). The booking you make is for an arrival time, so that we can manage the check in process efficiently, not for a specific number of people.
Once you are checked in, you are welcome to stay at the plantation until you find your perfect tree.

How many trees can I choose when I am at the plantation?

You can choose up to 3 trees from the plantation in one timeslot booking, with a charge of £10 per tree (in addition to the cost of the trees).
You are welcome to have 3 different names on the tags for the 3 trees, just tell us the different names when you make the booking.

We will take payment for the extra trees when you check in at the plantation.

Why do I have to pay £10 in addition to the cost of the tree?

The PYO Christmas tree service is available to you to enhance your Christmas experience, if you would like to.
We open up the plantation for you to visit and find your perfect tree, giving you a personalised weather-proof label with which to tag your tree.

A day or two before your specified collection weekend we then go to the plantation, search for your chosen tree (double-checking it is indeed your tree!), cut it especially for you, measure and net it and set it aside for you.

The cost for this service is £10.
If you don’t wish to pay this £10, you are very welcome to choose from the pre-cut trees available in the Christmas Tree Sales Area.

I can’t make my booked chosen collection weekend now. Can I rebook?

Unfortunately we can’t change your chosen collection weekend once you have booked your time-slot.
Your tree will be held for you from the start of your chosen collection weekend until closing time on the following Thursday. You have six days to pick it up.
If your tree is not collected by the end of that Thursday, it will be offered for general sale with the other cut trees.
If you have only booked your time-slot, and have not yet chosen your tree on the plantation, and you need to change either your picking or collection times, you may be able cancel your PYO Christmas Tree booking, if it is still more than 3 days before the day you are coming to the plantation, and rebook your ticket for another time.
Let us know you want a refund for your original booking on hello@roughamestate.com

Can you deliver my Christmas tree?

Yes, we offer a Christmas tree delivery service within a radius of about 30 miles from Blackthorpe Barn. Depending on where you live, the delivery cost will vary accordingly.
Please email Simon Eddell, the Christmas Tree Manager, on simon@roughamestate.com for details.

There’s poor weather forecast for my booked time to come to the plantation. Can I change my booking?

Unfortunately we cannot change your timeslot due to forecast poor weather.
We will go ahead with the check in at the plantation even if the weather is not great.

Are there any dog walks around the area?

Yes, we have some lovely dog walks around the Estate, with more being added soon. Please see our Walks page.

What else can I do at Blackthorpe Barn?

Although Rougham Estate is known for its Christmas tree plantations, there’s lots more to do here too, especially at Christmas!
Roots Café is open all year round at Blackthorpe Barn, as is the Christmas shop at Christmas time, and the Garden Room shop at others times.
For the second weekend of PYO Christmas tree, the renowned Arts and Crafts Fair is also taking place in the medieval thatched barn – just the thing to get you into the mood for Christmas, with makers from around the country selling their hand-crafted goods. You’ll find the perfect Christmas present here.
Don’t forget to visit the fabulous Christmas Shop too, open daily from mid October to a few days before Christmas.
There are also walks of different lengths and difficulties that start at the Barn and take you around the Estate.
At different times of the year we hold other events such as the sunflowers in summer and pumpkins in autumn.
Keep your eye on our social media accounts and our website to see what’s happening here.

Never miss a thing

Follow us on instagram
After Christmas, Roots Cafe will be back open on the 28th December from 9am til 4pm - daily. 

Serving great coffee, festive treats, snacks or hearty meals. 

You can fill you day with a lovely walk around our grounds and then refresh at the cafe. Dogs are also welcome! 🐾

#ChristmasIsComing #RootsCafe #ShopLocal #ChristmasTime #roughamestate #DogWalkers #GoodFood #blackthorpebarn

After Christmas, Roots Cafe will be back open on the 28th December from 9am til 4pm - daily.

Serving great coffee, festive treats, snacks or hearty meals.

You can fill you day with a lovely walk around our grounds and then refresh at the cafe. Dogs are also welcome! 🐾

#ChristmasIsComing #RootsCafe #ShopLocal #ChristmasTime #roughamestate #DogWalkers #GoodFood #blackthorpebarn
...

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Roots Café will be OPEN between Christmas and New Year - from the 28th and thereon into the New Year from 9-4pm. 

Whether you’re looking to unwind after Christmas activities or fuel up for your New Year’s adventures, we’ve got just what you need. You could also tie it in with a walk on the Estate with the family and your furry friends. 🐕🐾

So… join us for a warm and inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and comforting drinks to keep the festive spirit alive.

We can’t wait to see you!

Roots Café will be OPEN between Christmas and New Year - from the 28th and thereon into the New Year from 9-4pm.

Whether you’re looking to unwind after Christmas activities or fuel up for your New Year’s adventures, we’ve got just what you need. You could also tie it in with a walk on the Estate with the family and your furry friends. 🐕🐾

So… join us for a warm and inviting atmosphere, delicious food, and comforting drinks to keep the festive spirit alive.

We can’t wait to see you!
...

35 0
We are only 8 days away from Christmas!

Many of us now have our trees up and will keep them up until the New Year. So how do you keep them fresh for as long as possible? 

Here are some top tips 🎄

Half of your tree is made up of water so you need to keep it hydrated. So keep your tree watered and check it regularly. 

Before you put your tree up, cut an inch off the bottom for optimum water absorption.

Make sure the stand can be filled with plenty of water and that your tree fits comfortably without having to whittle down any of the sides of the trunk. These parts of the tree are the most efficient absorbing water.

Keep your tree away from heat and direct sunlight. Lowering your room temperature by a degree or two will help.

In the meantime, enjoy that fresh Christmas scent and if you haven’t got your tree yet, we have them on sale until the 22nd of December. 

#Christmas #ChristmasShopping #ChristmasTreeSales  #ChristmasIsComing #ChristmasTime #ChristmasTree #roughamestate #BlackthorpeBarn

We are only 8 days away from Christmas!

Many of us now have our trees up and will keep them up until the New Year. So how do you keep them fresh for as long as possible?

Here are some top tips 🎄

Half of your tree is made up of water so you need to keep it hydrated. So keep your tree watered and check it regularly.

Before you put your tree up, cut an inch off the bottom for optimum water absorption.

Make sure the stand can be filled with plenty of water and that your tree fits comfortably without having to whittle down any of the sides of the trunk. These parts of the tree are the most efficient absorbing water.

Keep your tree away from heat and direct sunlight. Lowering your room temperature by a degree or two will help.

In the meantime, enjoy that fresh Christmas scent and if you haven’t got your tree yet, we have them on sale until the 22nd of December.

#Christmas #ChristmasShopping #ChristmasTreeSales #ChristmasIsComing #ChristmasTime #ChristmasTree #roughamestate #BlackthorpeBarn
...

64 0
This weekend is a cracker at Blackthorpe Barn!

The talented makers in the festive Barn are having a blast: it’s the last day of Arts&Crafts 2024 so come and join them and find that perfect gift.
From jewellery to leather bags, tiny teapots to recycled robots, artworks and garden art, cheese to ceramics, hats to big glass flowers, wool coats to pinafores, chocolates to soaps, and so much more! What more could you possibly dream of? Tickets £2.50 online, £3 on the door.

Next door, the Christmas shop has decorations too many to count, and the freshly-cut Christmas trees outside are waiting to be taken home and dressed up.

Roots Café is warm and comfortable, the Takeaway Hut is serving tasty treats and the fabulous food trucks include @tikka_tonic with delicious New Delhi street food, @badboisburritos making Mexican food to die for and pizzas and focaccia toasties too… 

Rougham Estate is where you’ll find Christmas this weekend!
All the details from roughamestate.com/welcome
Link in profile
Don’t miss out! Can’t wait to see you here!

#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #christmasshop #christmasmarket #suffolkcraftsociety #suffolk #burystedmunds #christmasiscoming

This weekend is a cracker at Blackthorpe Barn!

The talented makers in the festive Barn are having a blast: it’s the last day of Arts&Crafts 2024 so come and join them and find that perfect gift.
From jewellery to leather bags, tiny teapots to recycled robots, artworks and garden art, cheese to ceramics, hats to big glass flowers, wool coats to pinafores, chocolates to soaps, and so much more! What more could you possibly dream of? Tickets £2.50 online, £3 on the door.

Next door, the Christmas shop has decorations too many to count, and the freshly-cut Christmas trees outside are waiting to be taken home and dressed up.

Roots Café is warm and comfortable, the Takeaway Hut is serving tasty treats and the fabulous food trucks include @tikka_tonic with delicious New Delhi street food, @badboisburritos making Mexican food to die for and pizzas and focaccia toasties too…

Rougham Estate is where you’ll find Christmas this weekend!
All the details from roughamestate.com/welcome
Link in profile
Don’t miss out! Can’t wait to see you here!

#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #christmasshop #christmasmarket #suffolkcraftsociety #suffolk #burystedmunds #christmasiscoming
...

46 6

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