- This event has passed.
Pick your own Sunflowers 2025
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
15th Aug - 2nd Sep
09:00 - 17:00
Open daily
including bank holidays
Closing Date:
Last Day Open: Tues 2nd Sept
Where:
Rougham Sunflower and Pumpkin Field
Just north of Junction 45 of the A14,
3 miles east of Bury St Edmunds
Detailed directions with the map below
See mapPricing:
Free admission and parking No booking needed
Sunflower stems are charged:
£2 each £8 for 5 stems £12 for 10 stems
Supper At Sundown BBQ - just come along!
Pay for what you want at the time
Rougham Sunflowers 2025
The Sunflowers have now closed for 2025. See our Events page for what’s on next
Could there be anything better than strolling through vibrant blooms of sunflowers, picking to your heart’s content?
Well, you can do it at Rougham Sunflowers! Just east of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, the field is open once again this summer of 2025. Come and enjoy the wonderful display!
Opening and Closing Dates
The flowers have had a hard time this year with the weather, but yes, the sunflower field opened on Friday 15th August. We left it as long as we could, but wanted to open the field before the schools went back. The blooms are now opening more and more and the field is becoming more yellow each day.
Once the field opens it is open every day including Sundays and bank holidays until we close, unless of course the weather gets really bad and we can’t open for a day or so. In these cases we will let you know here on this page and through our social media posts.
The field usually stays open for 2-3 weeks; the closing date will be determined according to how the sunflower blooms are holding up.
UPDATE: The field will be open every day up to and including Tuesday 2 September. It will be closed from Wednesday 3 September.
Location
The sunflowers are in the same field as last year, just off the A14, retaining the same simple rustic charm and offering plenty of photo opportunities, as well as the joy of time outside in the beautiful Suffolk countryside, with room for children to run and climb. We cut pathways through the sunflowers to make it easy for you to explore the area.
Things to do
There is plenty more to enjoy too with space to picnic, deckchairs and benches including wheelchair-friendly benches, big bale pyramids to climb on, sandpits, a bug-hunt challenge (50p) to keep little ones occupied, ice cream and pedal tractors as well as lots of fabulous photo opportunities. New for this year, there are some football goals to keep more energetic people happy – please bring your own footballs!
Face Painting
Face painting for children aged 3 years and older will be available most days from Face-It Face Painting (£5).
Please note: there is no face painting on Monday 1st and Tuesday 2nd September.
Snacks
Snacks and drinks will be provided by Roots&Co, an outlet of Roots Café, the café located at Blackthorpe Barn, 2 minutes’ drive away.
Roots&Co will be serving coffees, teas, cold and iced drinks, sausage rolls, vegan rolls, crisps, loaded strawberries, traybake cakes, ice creams and other snacks.
Beer and Prosecco will also be available, as well as ice cream for dogs.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic with you too.
Dogs
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome in the picnic area of the field. We have made a special pathway for dogs through the sunflowers; they are not allowed in the main maze due to having had too much to clean up in previous years. There is even some ice cream for dogs available from the onsite café.
Please make sure that your dog doesn’t spoil the enjoyment of other visitors at the event or block any passageways.
No Smoking
Due to the weather and the extreme dryness this year, please note that the field is a No Smoking area.
Video from the 2022 sunflower field, made by Troy Productions
Evening Opening – Supper at Sundown BBQ
- Friday 29th August 6pm – 9pm
On Friday 29th August we will be extending the sunflower field opening times to include 6pm to 9pm. The site will be open as usual during this time to come and enjoy the sunflowers and the wonderful Suffolk countryside, including for dogs as described above.
There will be an option to enjoy a BBQ meal, cooked at the sunflower field. Just come along – it’s first come, first served and buy what you want at the time; when it’s gone, it’s gone.
MENU: Beef Burgers, Hot Dogs, Grilled Halloumi & Veggie Burgers, BBQ Pulled Pork, BBQ Pulled Jackfruit and salad boxes.
Gee Gee Bakes will be joining us on this evening, offering sweet treats like cheesecake and crumbles.
Between 5pm (normal closing time) and reopening at 6pm for the evening event, you are welcome to stay at the field, but please be patient as we rearrange the picnic area; you may need to move to accommodate the changes.
Picnics are also welcome in the evening.
Important information
- Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the picnic area and must be kept on a short lead at all times. There is a separate pathway especially for dogs through the sunflowers, but due to previously having had to clean up too much mess, no dogs are allowed into the main sunflower maze. Please bring and use poop-bags.
We will know better when the sunflower field will open when we see how they are growing.
The sunflower field usually closes about 2-3 weeks after it opens, but the actual date depends on how the flowering season goes.
Cards and Cash are both accepted around the site. Admission and parking are free.
Picnicking is encouraged, with plenty of blanket spots on the grassy area, or use the benches and deckchairs if you prefer.
Catering will be available, offering coffees, snacks, drinks and ice cream, and even ice cream for dogs!
Toilet facilities are available near the entrance of the field, including an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
The field is accessible for wheelchairs and prams, with wide-enough pathways through the sunflowers and wheelchair-friendly picnic benches.
Please be aware: this is a field; the ground is uneven in places and muddy if it has recently rained
Face-painting by the talented Face It Face Painting will be available; £5 per face for ages 3 and above.
Gallery
01/19
02/19
03/19
04/19
05/19
06/19
07/19
08/19
09/19
10/19
11/19
12/19
13/19
14/19
15/19
16/19
17/19
18/19
19/19
Perfect for Picking!
01
At the entrance to the sunflower maze, borrow a pair of secateurs
You are welcome to bring your own secateurs, or borrow a pair from us for a small refundable deposit. The deposit will be deducted from the total cost of the sunflowers you pick, when you return them.
02
If you have a dog with you...
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on the picnic area and must be kept on a short lead at all times. There is a separate pathway to take dogs through the sunflowers, but due to previously having had to clean up too much mess, dogs are NOT allowed into the main maze. Please bring and use poop-bags.
03
Wander around the maze
Enter the maze and take your time to enjoy wandering through the beautiful blooms, picking flowers as you go.
Don’t forget to take some pictures and tag us @roughamestate
04
When you are done, head back to the entrance to pay
When you are ready to leave, head to the gazebo where a helpful member of staff will charge you according to how many stems you have cut, deducting the deposit for the secateurs if you borrowed some.
Payment by card is preferable although we will be taking cash.
05
Leave your flowers at the sunflower creche
Leave your flowers in a bucket of water at the sunflower creche while you enjoy some refreshments. Don’t forget to collect them before leaving!
06
Relax, let the children play and have a bite to eat
While you are here, take your time. Relax and let the children run, climb and play. Visit the tasty food area for some refreshment or enjoy your own picnic (no picnics at the evening events).
07
Leaving the sunflower field - Left Turn Only
Please note that the exit road is a left-hand turn only and the signposts will guide you accordingly.
08
Requests for Bulk Picking and Out-of-Hours Visits
We regularly get requests for us to pick a quantity of sunflowers for a special event, or to open the field out-of-hours for certain groups. We’re sorry, but unfortunately we are unable to fulfil these requests.
If you wish to come and pick your own sunflowers during opening times, you are welcome to.
09
Photography
There are plenty of props around the field to help you get some great pictures. If you post your pictures online, tag us @roughamestate on instagram and facebook – we love to see them! For professional photoshoots, please see below.
10
Fire Risk in the Warm Weather - No smoking
Please be aware that the countryside is very dry due to the recent hot weather. Fires can be caused by careless disposal of cigarettes and matches but also by other items which can cause sunlight to be magnified or concentrated.
Please dispose of items in the bins provided and take care when you are at the sunflowers and please refrain from smoking.
Things to Bring
- Secateurs; bring your own or borrow some from us for a small refundable deposit
- Gloves, if you need them; sunflower stems are prickly
- Wellies if it’s rained recently
- Cash or Card; admission and parking are free, but you may like to buy some sunflowers, a coffee or get your child’s face painted. Card is preferred, but cash is accepted
- Picnic and Picnic Blanket, if you like
- Camera for taking pictures; tag us @roughamestate
Tips for Looking After Cut Sunflowers
When you get your cut sunflowers home, here are some tips to help them last for as long as possible:
- Get your sunflowers into water as soon as possible after cutting
- Cut the stems at a 45 degree angle to help with hydration; if possible, cut the stem underwater
- Remove all leaves below the water line; only keep the leaves near the flower
- Fill the vase with warm water up to about 3/4 of the height of the stem
- Top up the water daily, or better, change all the water in the vase daily (do this at least every 3 days)
- Recut the stems after a few days (or do this daily), to help with hydration
- Don’t expose the cut flowers to direct sunlight, heat or draughts
- If the sunflower head is beginning to droop, cut the stem shorter and put the flower in warm water (try adding 2-3 teaspoons of sugar to the water). Another trick is to cut a short length of straight garden wire (4-5cm) and push it through the centre of the flower, into the stem, to give it some support
- Sunflowers like a slightly acidic water solution with sugars for nutrition; try adding a teaspoon of sugar and two tablespoons of lemon juice (or a tablespoon of vinegar) to the water
Professional Photography and Drone Flights
The sunflowers make wonderful photo backdrops and there are several feature areas for you to create some special captured memories. You are welcome to take photos for purely personal use.
We are happy for professional photographers to use our wonderful sunflower field for photoshoots too, subject to the following conditions.
ALL PHOTOSHOOT LICENSES FOR 2025 ARE NOW BOOKED
For the comfort and safety of all our visitors, and considering the fact that the sunflower field is part of Rougham Estate which is private land:
- all professional, commercial, for-profit, paid-for or “organised” photoshoots require a licence and must be pre-booked and authorised by Rougham Estate (licences/dates are limited in number),
- Rougham Estate must be credited on all professional/commercial images sold or used for social media,
- dates cannot be guaranteed and are subject to change, dependant on factors outside our control, e.g., when the flowers bloom, changes in the weather, etc.,
- unauthorised professional photographers or photoshoots may be asked to leave/stop as determined by Rougham Estate staff.
Drone use is strictly prohibited unless pre-arranged and authorised by Rougham Estate. It should be undertaken during hours when the site is not open to the public, and will incur a fee.
If you are interested in holding a photoshoot or flying a drone at the sunflowers, please contact:
E: [email protected]
What others say...
Rougham Sunflower and Pumpkin Field, north of A14, Junction 45
Note - this is the postcode for roundabout at Junction 45 on A14. From there follow the signs on the roadside and see the diagram below.
On arriving at the Sunflower and Pumpkin Field you will be directed by a member of staff to park; there is ample parking on grass.
The sunflowers and pumpkins are in the same field as in 2023 and 2024.
The field is just east of Bury St. Edmunds, easily accessible from the A14 and clearly sign-posted from Junction 45.
From the A14 Eastbound Carriageway:
- turn right at the roundabout at the end of the A14 slip road
- go up the north carriageway of Sow Lane
- fully around the roundabout at the top
- back down the south carriageway of Sow Lane
- turn left off Sow Lane into the grass parking.
From the A14 Westbound Carriageway:
- turn left at the end of the A14 slip road
- drive under the bridge
- straight over the first roundabout
- go up the north carriageway of Sow Lane
- fully around the roundabout at the top
- back down the south carriageway of Sow Lane
- turn left off Sow Lane into the grass parking.
This year the sunflower field will open on Monday 27th July 2026.
The sunflower field opens when the sunflowers start to bloom each year and we can’t pinpoint the exact date until a week or so before opening, since the flowers respond to the weather we are having at the time.
The sunflower field generally stays open for about 2-3 weeks after opening, depending upon the weather. We close the field when the sunflowers are starting to be past their best. We will put a notification of the closing date on this page and on our social media, when we know more.
Sunflowers only bloom for a few weeks a year, and we open the field for those weeks.
There is no entrance fee – the field is free to visit
You don’t need to book to visit the sunflowers, just come along.
However, there are ticketed SEN-friendly sessions on Tuesday and Thursday mornings 9am – 10am. During these times only people with booked tickets will be given entrance to the field.
Ticket numbers are limited for these times and they are perfect for those who benefit from quieter surroundings, predictable routines and a slower pace.
After 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays there is free entry for the general public, with no booking needed, as usual.
Yes, there is plenty of free parking in the field with the sunflowers and pumpkins.
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome on the grass in the picnic area of the sunflower field and this year there is a path through the sunflowers where dogs are welcome.
Unfortunately, due to having had to clean up after too many dogs, no dogs are allowed inside the main sunflower maze at all, even if carried, and they are not allowed in the sandpits or on the bale pyramids.
- Please keep your dog under control at all times and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block any passageways.
Yes, you can pick the sunflowers at the field and you will be charged according to the prices on this page. Bring your own secateurs and gloves, or use our secateurs for a small deposit.
We prefer cards, but accept both cards and cash at every payment area on the field, including for the sunflowers, nature hunt, sunflower seeds, food and drink and for face-painting.
Yes, there are portaloos at the side of the field in the picnic area. There is also a baby-change unit and an accessible toilet.
Wheelchairs are welcome in the sunflower and pumpkin field. There are wood chippings down at the entrance and in other areas of high footfall, but otherwise the paths are just the earth of the field.
If it has been dry, the earth will be hard and dusty, and may be uneven in places, but if it has been raining, it could well be muddy.
There is an accessible toilet in the picnic area of the field.
Accessible parking is available near the entrance to the field.
Yes, there is a baby-changing unit in one of the portaloos
Yes, the field is fine for buggies and prams, but please note that it is a field and can be uneven in places. If it’s been raining the ground can get muddy.
Yes, we have food and drink vendors at the field. Please see the list above. Please keep an eye on this page and on our social media for any updates.
Yes, there are plenty of picnicking spots. Bring a blanket and a picnic, and enjoy your time here.
Unfortunately no picnics are allowed after 5pm, when the evening events start.
If it’s been dry recently, you don’t need any special clothing or footwear to visit the sunflower field. Don’t forget your sunscreen if it’s very sunny since there isn’t much shade at the field and bring water if you like. If it’s been very dry the field can be dusty.
If it’s been raining recently, the ground may be muddy and you may want to consider wearing wellies.
There are plenty of tips on how to keep your sunflowers looking good on this page. The most important thing is to keep them in water as much as you can. We have a sunflower creche of buckets of water for you to use while you are enjoying your time at the field.
If your photos are purely for personal use, you are welcome to take as many pictures as you like. Do tag us @roughamestate if you post them – we love to see them!
If you are a professional photographer or are taking pictures for any for-profit/commercial reason, you are required to get a licence for the photoshoot on our private land and book a time to visit. Please see the details on this page.
Drone photography can only be undertaken at a time when the field is not open to the public. Please get in touch to book a time.
Unfortunately we don’t have the facilities to bulk-pick sunflowers for events. If you would like to come and pick the sunflowers yourself when we are open, you are welcome to.
Unfortunately we are not able to open the field out-of-hours. The field is generally quieter at the beginning of the morning or later in the afternoon and you may find that these times are suitable for your visit.
Face-painting is for children aged 3 and over.
The cosmetics have only been tested for children of this age and above. Applying the paints to children younger than this could cause a lifetime of allergic reactions.
Related Events
Never miss a thing
Follow us on instagram
Rougham Pumpkins are open this weekend, 17th & 18th October, and we’re pulling out all the stops.
🎃9am-5pm · Free entry · Free parking · No booking needed
Games, bale pyramids, room to run and play, thousands of pumpkins.
Face painting by @faceitfaceart
🎵Saturday 17th 2pm-4pm
Chill out to live music from the wonderful @Megan_Rae_music
🕺Saturday 17th 6pm-9pm
Enjoy the Pumpkins by Torchlight and boogie on down to the Silent Disco. Free entry, no booking needed to come for the evening, but headsets need to be booked.
Some tickets still available and going fast.
Book via the link in our bio.
🍔Look at the huge range of tasty fabulous food trucks here this weekend.
These are here both days as well as for the evening event:
Roots&Co - bagels, baps, crumble, cakes, drinks including a bar
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@BadBoiBurritos - toasted burritos
@ItsOtisBreading - sourdough toasties
@TheCreperieShack - sweet & savoury crepes
@GeeGeeBakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@FullThrottleCoffeeCo - coffees
These trucks are here both days this weekend:
@Pigs_In - all your pork favourites
@Tikka_Tonic - New Delhi style street food
@KiernansCoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks by the swing and pyramid at the Pitch in the Patch
Joining us for Sunday 18th only:
@GreysCoffee_ - coffees and cakes
If you are here at 5pm on Saturday and want to stay for the evening, you are welcome to stay until 6pm but please be aware we will be doing some rearranging and you may need to move. The food trucks will close for a break and some will be leaving the patch, so be particularly careful at this time.
🎃Find the Pumpkin Patch on Elderstub Lane, Rougham - SatNav IP30 9HX.
Maps and directions on our website.
🏃On Sunday morning, the Bury St Edmunds half-marathon will be going down Sow Lane from Junction 45, A14, and past the entrance to Blackthorpe Barn. Please drive very slowly while runners are there.
Then the patch is open for the last time, daily from 24th-31st October, with another evening event on the 24th. All the details from our website.
See you soon!
#roughampumpkins #suffolkevents #burystedmunds #suff
5 days to go!
The most wonderful time of the year is getting closer!
This Christmas, we’re inviting you to step inside a story, with beautifully styled rooms, festive treasures and inspiration for making your own Christmas feel special.
From traditional charm to contemporary colour and cosy alpine styling, there’s plenty to discover at Blackthorpe Barn.
Our Christmas Shop opens on Monday 19 October. Start planning your festive visit!
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #ChristmasCountdown
One week today the magic of Christmas arrives at Blackthorpe Barn, here at Rougham Estate. ✨
You’ll be able to step into the story of Christmas as the beautiful old barn comes alive with festive displays, sparkling decorations and inspiration for the season ahead.
Behind the scenes, the elves are doing the finishing touches ready for you to explore and discover those special pieces that make Christmas feel like magic.
The countdown is on!
We can’t wait to welcome you back!
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #ChristmasShop #BlackthorpeBarn SuffolkChristmas
With Weekend 2 of the pumpkins finished, it’s time to think about next weekend’s fun already, and it will be a step-up again 🎃🎉🕺
Yesterday we had @thephonks playing some cool tunes on the Saturday afternoon.
Next Saturday (17th) the brilliant @Megan_Rae_Music will be playing live from 2-4pm.
It’s still free entry, no booking needed. If you want some great autumn festival vibes, come along, enjoy the entertainment while feasting on fabulous food.
Then, why not stay on for Pumpkins by Torchlight and the first of the two famous Rougham Pumpkins Silent Discos this year. From 6pm-9pm the patch will be open for you to search for your pumpkin in the dark. Free entry and no booking needed, but if you want headsets for the silent discos, you need to book these soon (tickets selling fast). Book on our website.
There will be a waiting list for headsets on the night, if you don’t manage to book in advance, and 3 different channels of music playing, with one specifically child-friendly.
If you prefer not to be bothered by music when looking for pumpkins by torchlight, don’t worry - you’ll be surprised at how silent the silent disco really is.
Don’t forget to dress warmly, dress up if you want, pull on your wellies and bring your torches.
Pumpkins by Torchlight is happening on the 17th and 24th October. We can’t wait to see everyone boogying around and having a good time.
These are the food trucks with us next weekend, 17/18 Oct:
Roots&Co - bagels, baps, crumble, cakes, drinks including a bar
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@BadBoiBurritos - toasted burritos
@Pigs_In - all your pork favourites
@Tikka_Tonic - New Delhi style street food
@TheCreperieShack - sweet & savoury crepes
@ItsOtisBreading - sourdough toasties
@GeeGeeBakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@KiernansCoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks at the Pitch in the Patch
@FullThrottleCoffeeCo - coffees
@GreysCoffee_ - coffees and cakes (Sunday 18th only)
We’ve had a great weekend this weekend - thank you to everyone who visited. 🙌
And we can’t wait to really get this festival going next weekend! 🎃🕺🎉
#roughamestate #roughampumpkins #suffolkevents #burystedmunds
Weekend 2 of Rougham Pumpkins is already here and it’s a good one! Pick your pumpkins from the patch, right where they’ve been growing.
And there’s so much more! Space to run and play games, climb bale pyramids, pedal tractors, sand pits, football goals (bring your own ball)
📣Live music this Saturday afternoon 10th (not 11th as on the slide 🙈) from the fabulous @thephonks (unmute to hear them) 2pm-4pm
Face painting by @faceitfaceart
Enjoy something delicious from these amazing food trucks this weekend:
Roots&Co - bagels, baps, crumble, cakes, drinks including a bar
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@BadBoiBurritos - toasted burritos
@Pigs_In - all your pork favourites
@Tikka_Tonic - New Delhi style street food
@TheCreperieShack - sweet & savoury crepes (Saturday 10th only)
@GeeGeeBakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@KiernansCoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks by the swing and pyramid at the Pitch in the Patch
@FullThrottleCoffeeCo - coffees (Saturday 10th only)
@greyscoffee_ - coffees and cakes (Sunday 11th only)
Bring your own picnic if you like.
🎃NEW FIELD! The pumpkins are in a new field this year, south of J45, A14 on Elderstub Lane. SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Driving directions in a previous reel, maps and directions on our website
🎃Free entry, free parking, no booking needed
🎃Open 9am-5pm each weekend in October and then daily from 24th to 31st. Open until 9pm on Saturdays 17th and 24th
🎃Find the golden pumpkin and win 1 barrow of pumpkins
🎃Pumpkins by Torchlight and Silent Disco on 17th and 24th October 6pm-9pm. Last headset tickets still available
🎃SEN-hours ticketed-entry only on 27th and 29th October 9am-10am
🎃Well-behaved dogs welcome on a short lead in the picnic area and in a small area of the patch
All the details from our website.
We can’t wait to welcome you to the Pumpkin Festival!!
See you at the patch 🧡
#roughamestate #burystedmunds #suffolkevents #pickyourownpumpkin
Autumn brings plenty of seasonal ingredients that are perfect for preserving, pickling and fermenting.
Chef Rowen Halstead returns with his popular for a hands-on fermentation workshop at Rougham Estate on Saturday 31 October, where you’ll learn new techniques and create two seasonal ferments to take home: spiced pumpkin sauerkraut and orchard fruit kombucha chutney.
If you’ve joined us for one of our previous fermentation workshops, you’ll be pleased to know this is a new workshop with new techniques. Each session uses different seasonal ingredients and explores new recipes and techniques, so there’s always something new to discover.
It’s suitable for beginners and those with a little more experience, with plenty of practical guidance along the way.
Find out more and book your place on the Rougham Estate website.
#RoughamEstate #FermentationWorkshop #Fermentation
A little autumn atmosphere over our fields…
A special scene of mist rising over a field of freshly drilled Winter Barley, with the soft autumn light, we felt was worth a share!
While the countryside is settling into autumn, the farming year is already looking ahead, with the next crops getting established across the Estate.
#RoughamEstate #AutumnAtRougham #WinterBarley
What if your dreams are trying to tell you something?
On Saturday 7th November, join psychotherapist Gilly Crow for Wake Up to Your Dreams, an interactive talk exploring why our dreams can be so intriguing and what they might tell us about ourselves.
Gilly has spent more than 35 years working as a psychotherapist in the Suffolk countryside, with dreams at the heart of much of her work. Her approach is not about trying to find a neat meaning for every dream, but about exploring what our dreams might reveal and why they can be meaningful.
Whether you have recurring dreams, are curious about your unconscious or simply wonder why we dream at all, this promises to be a fascinating morning.
Saturday 7 November
9.15am–12pm
£15 per person
Tea, coffee and mince pies will be provided, and Gilly’s book will also be available to buy on the day.
Booking is essential.
Find out more via the link in our bio.
#RoughamEstate #WakeUpToYourDreams #GillyCrow
Tag us @RoughamEstate
The Rougham Post
See more of what's happening here
