Pick your own Sunflowers
Key details
When:
Open every day 9am – 5pm
10am – 5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Last admission: 4:30pm
Free entrance, no booking needed, apart from the SEN-friendly hours.
Tuesdays and Thursdays 9am – 10am are reserved for ticketed SEN-friendly visits only
Please book tickets for these sessions here
The sunflower field usually stays open for 2-3 weeks, depending on the how the flowers are doing.
Evening Events:
Run Vibes 5k Run – 7th August
Canvas Club Paint Your Own Sunflower (info coming)
Sundowner Evening (info coming)
Where:
New location for 2026!
Rougham Sunflower and Pumpkin Field
Just south of Junction 45 of the A14,
3 miles east of Bury St Edmunds
Detailed directions with the map below
For your SatNav, use the postcode: IP30 9HX
Pricing:
Free admission and parking No booking needed (except for SEN hours: Tues & Thurs 9-10am)
Sunflower stems are charged:
£2 each £8 for 5 stems £12 for 10 stems
Rougham Sunflowers
Open daily!
The sunflowers are in a new field for 2026, south of A14 Junction 45, just over 1km (just under 1 mile) from the junction to the field. See the new location here.
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 for a few weeks. Come and enjoy the wonderful display!
Opening and Closing Dates
The sunflower field is open from Monday 27th July 2026.
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 closing date will be determined according to how the sunflower blooms are holding up. The field usually stays open for 2-3 weeks from opening (we opened on 27 July this year). When we know more, we’ll add it to this page.
Booking & SEN-FRIENDly visiting times
In general there is no need to book to visit our sunflower field, except for the SEN-friendly hours.
Each Tuesday and Thursday between 9am and 10am we are holding SEN-friendly sessions where the sunflower field will only be open to those who have pre-booked tickets to visit. These dedicated times are designed to provide a calm, supportive environment for individuals with Special Educational and Sensory Needs. Book your SEN-friendly hour here.
The field will be open as usual to the wider public from 10am onwards on these days, with no booking needed.
Things to do
There is plenty more to enjoy with space to picnic, deckchairs and benches including wheelchair-friendly benches, big bale pyramids to climb on, sandpits, football goals (please bring your own footballs), a nature-hunt challenge to keep little ones occupied (£1), ice cream and pedal tractors as well as lots of fabulous photo opportunities.
Face Painting
Face painting for children aged 3 years and older will be available most days from Face-It Face Painting (£5).
Snacks
Snacks and drinks will be provided by Roots&Co, an outlet of Roots Café.
You can buy coffees, teas, cold and iced drinks, filled bagels, sausage rolls, vegan rolls, crisps, loaded strawberries, traybake cakes, ice creams and other snacks. The menu can be seen in the image gallery below.
Beer and Prosecco will also be available (excluding Mondays), as well as ice cream for dogs.
The main Roots Café is located at Blackthorpe Barn, 2 minutes’ drive away, open every day 9am-4pm.
You are welcome to bring your own picnic with you to the sunflowers too.
Please remember to bring water with you, if you like.
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.
underfoot
The sunflowers are growing in a field and after the recent warm weather the ground is dry, sandy and dusty. If it rains the ground will become muddy. In places, such as the entrance area and other places of heavy footfall, there are wood chippings on the ground.
The maze paths have been cut out of the sunflowers and in places old stems or stumps of stems can make the ground uneven. As the time goes on and more people walk the paths, they will be flattened. Please wear appropriate footwear and clothing for the conditions.
The paths through the sunflowers are wide enough for wheelchairs and buggies, but please keep the ground conditions in mind.
Charity Collection
This year the charity being supported at the Sunflowers is the GREEN LIGHT TRUST which is a health and wellbeing charity rooted in the local countryside. It works with nature to transform lives, using expert-led programmes to help children, young people and adults to thrive, supporting their mental health, building skills and improving the natural environment.
If you are able, please donate either at the sunflowers, or perhaps by clicking the link above.
Video from the 2022 sunflower field, made by Troy Productions
Evening OpeningS
There will be various evening openings during the weeks we are open, with dates and information being added as the days go by:
- Run Vibes 5k Run in the Sunflowers – 7th August
- The Canvas Club – Paint your own Sunflower in the Sunflowers – more info to come
- Supper at Sundown BBQ Evening – more info to come
For the evening events we will be extending the sunflower field opening times to 9pm or 10pm. Depending on the event, it may be tickets only, or at other times 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. Please see the details for each event.
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.
This year the Rougham Sunflower field will open on Monday 27th July.
The sunflower field usually closes about 2-3 weeks after it opens, but the actual closing 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 is available from Roots&Co, offering coffees, snacks, drinks and ice cream, and even ice cream for dogs!
Toilet facilities are available in the picnic area by the side of the sunflowers and include an accessible toilet with baby-changing facilities.
The field is accessible for wheelchairs and prams.
The sunflower field has wide pathways through the sunflowers and wheelchair-friendly picnic benches. However, please note this is a large field and the ground is uneven, dry and dusty after this prolonged sunny weather but will become muddy if it has recently rained.
If you would like to visit during the SEN-friendly hours, please book your ticket here.
Face-painting by the talented Face It Face Painting will be available; £5 per face for ages 3 and above.
Gallery
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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
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.
08
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.
09
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
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.
PHOTOSHOOT LICENSES FOR 2026 ARE BEING 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]
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 (or 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. You could also 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 1-3 teaspoons of sugar to the water and/or two tablespoons of lemon juice, or a tablespoon of vinegar.
What others say...
Rougham Sunflower and Pumpkin Field, south of A14, Junction 45
Elderstub Land, Rougham,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: postcode IP30 9HX
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 field is just east of Bury St. Edmunds, easily accessible from the A14 and clearly sign-posted from Junction 45.
From J45, A14 Eastbound Carriageway:
- turn left (first exit) on the roundabout at the end of the A14 slip road
- go under the A14 bridge
- at the T junction turn right, by the white house and entrance to Blackthorpe Barn
- follow this lane for about half a mile until you reach Elderstub Lane on the left
- turn left down Elderstub Lane and the entrance is about 150yds on the right
From the J45, A14 Westbound Carriageway:
- turn right at the end of the A14 slip road
- at the T junction turn right, by the white house and entrance to Blackthorpe Barn
- follow this lane for about half a mile until you reach Elderstub Lane on the left
- turn left down Elderstub Lane and the entrance is about 150yds on the right
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 sunflowers and pumpkins are in a new field for 2026. It’s about the same driving distance from J45 on the A14 as the field last year, but this year it’s to the south of the A14.
The field we have used over the past few years needs a rest from growing sunflowers and pumpkins and it’s good for the ground to grow other crops for a while.
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 fields next to the sunflower and pumpkin field
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are welcome 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.
- 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
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.
These are times where entrance to the sunflower field is ticketed to limit the number of people visiting. They happen each Tuesday and Thursday morning from 9am – 10am and are perfect for those who benefit from quieter surroundings, predictable routines and a slower pace.
During these times only those people with tickets will be given entry.
The general public are welcome to visit after 10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays, with no booking required.
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.
Since the evening events are ticketed food events, unfortunately no picnics are allowed after 5pm, when the evening event starts.
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.
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🌻Welcome back, sunflower lovers! It’s sunflower time again🌻
Open daily - the Rougham Sunflowers are open for 2026!
Free entrance and free parking.
🎟️Open every day 9am - 5pm, with 9am-10am on Tuesdays and Thursdays reserved for ticketed SEN-friendly visits. Otherwise, no booking is needed.
🚗The field this year is south of A14, J 45 near Bury St Edmunds. It’s just over half a mile from the junction, postcode IP30 9HX.
🌻Many sunflowers are already open (the pictures here were all taken yesterday) and there are still thousands yet to open. The flowers are about chest-high due to the lack of rain and the ground is currently dry and dusty but will be muddy if it’s wet.
🧒🏻The well-loved big straw bale pyramids are back, as are the sandpits, bug hunt (£1), pedal tractors, football goals (please bring your own football) and lots of games to play, as well as picnic benches, a marquee for shade/shelter and plenty of room to run around. Toilets are also on site.
🥯Food is provided by the Roots&Co Kiosk serving filled bagels, strawberries, snacks, cakes, ice cream, hot, cold and alcoholic drinks. Card payment preferred, cash accepted.
🧺If you want to bring your own picnic you are welcome to do so.
👩🎨Face painting (£5) by the talented @faceitfaceart will be available starting from Tuesday 28th July.
🌻If you would like to take some sunflowers home with you, just pay for what you pick: £2 per stem, £8 for 5, £12 for 10 stems. Card payment preferred, cash accepted. You may want to bring gloves - the stems can be prickly.
🐕Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the picnic area on a short lead and in the special dog-path through the sunflowers. Due to problems in previous years, dogs are not allowed in the main maze.
📸Tag us in your photos - we love to see them!
And keep your eye open for details about some wonderful evening openings coming soon, with a 5k run, a sunflower painting workshop and a Sundowner evening planned.
All the details can be found on our website - link in profile or DM for the link.
🌻We are looking forward to welcoming you here!🌻
#roughamsunflowers #burystedmunds #suffolk
We’ve been busy over the last few days putting the finishing touches to the sunflower field so we’re ready for you.
We open tomorrow, Monday 27th July, and here’s a reminder:
🌻We’re at a new location which is well sign posted - postcode IP30 9HX
🌻Free admission and free parking
🌻No booking needed (apart from SEN-friendly hours)
🌻Open daily from 9am–5pm (Tues & Thurs mornings between 9-10am are allocated for pre-booked SEN visits only)
🌻Sunflowers are £2 each, £8 for 5 stems, or £12 for 10 stems
🌻Bring your own secateurs, or borrow a pair for a small refundable deposit
🌻Food and drink will be available on site
🌻Dogs are welcome in the picnic area, but not in the main sunflower maze
For anyone who would benefit from a calmer visit, we have SEN-friendly sunflower sessions on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am–10am, with reduced noise and limited visitor numbers in a more relaxed environment. Pre-booked tickets only - please book via our website.
See you tomorrow — we can’t wait to welcome you!
#roughamsunflowers #sunflowerfield #roughamestate
We’re still going with our 2026 harvest!
The team are currently cutting the Winter Oilseed Rape, but it may surprise you to know that our thoughts have also turned to preparations for Harvest 2027.
How?
Following the harvest of the Winter Barley, pig muck from our resident pigs is being spread across the stubbles in anticipation for the planting of the next crop - which will be Winter Oilseed Rape.
This valuable source of organic manure provides the crop with nutrition from the very start, significantly reducing the use of synthetic fertiliser in the autumn.
We are always trying to create a more sustainable farming system, focusing on soil health, the resilience of soils for the future and good general farming practice.
#farmlife #sustainablefarming
Vote for your favourite!
Here are the 9 beautiful finalist pictures from the Rougham Estate Through Your Lens Competition - now it’s over to you.
Comment your favourite picture by using the number on that photo. Which one catches your eye? Which one captures Rougham Estate best for you? The landscapes? The trees? The close-up? The hall?
Voting will be open until midnight on 31 July. There will also be a chance to vote in person at Blackthorpe Barn.
After this time, all the votes will be counted and verified, and the winner will be announced on 5th August.
Only votes cast on this Instagram post, the corresponding post on our Facebook page and at Blackthorpe Barn will be valid. Only one vote per account - if one account/person is found to be voting multiple times, those votes will not be counted.
Good luck to all the finalists!
As per Instagram rules, this promotion is in no way sponsored, administered or associated with Instagram. By entering, entrants confirm they are 18+ years of age, release Instagram of responsibility and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
The photos here are from @wandering_eye_photos @flossyfelts @howardking2468 @debbie.hockey
It’s the news you have been waiting for!!
The sunflower field is BACK and we can confirm its opening will be next Monday 27th July! 🌻
Please note it is at a new field so simply follow the signs from the A14, junction 45. It’s still very close to Blackthorpe Barn, near Bury St Edmunds.
Free to attend and free parking. You only pay for the sunflowers you pick and food you wish to buy.
Open every day for 2-3 weeks from 9am-5pm, and 10am-5pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The 9am - 10am hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays are reserved for SEN-friendly sessions, which need to be booked (tickets are free).
Don’t miss out.
Well behaved dogs are welcome on a short lead, but we ask they are kept within the designated doggy areas. They are welcome in the big picnic area and in the little dog path through the sunflowers, but not in the main sunflower maze due to problems in previous years.
There will be some wonderful evening events coming too - keep your eyes open for details coming very soon!
We look forward seeing you then!
Full details can be found on our website in the link in our bio.
These pics were taken just a few days ago at the field. The flowers are beginning to open, with more opening each day.
#roughamsunflowers #sunflowerfield
We’ve got two tasty specials this week you won’t want to miss…
Salad of the week
A sweet and zingy salad of pineapple, avocado, cucumber, red onion, chilli, mixed leaves with a hot honey dressing.
Or
Chipotle roasted chicken, guacamole, spinach, feta, fried egg and salsa verde
Pop in and don’t miss out! Open daily until 4pm.
#specialoftheweek #rootscafe
We’re hiring here at Roots Cafe, Rougham Estate.
Two exciting vacancies are now available - Sous Chef and Chef De Partie.
Great chance to join a friendly team in a beautiful Estate setting.
If you’re looking for a new opportunity and want to be part of a well-loved local business, apply now through Indeed.
These roles are open to applicants aged 18 and over, and full details are available on the job listings link in our profile. Don’t miss your chance to apply.
#kitchenjobsburystedmunds #vacancyalert
One of the best things about walking around Rougham Estate is that every visit offers something different.
As you wander through the Estate, you get to experience lovely views like this one, with our nosy cattle grazing peacefully in the evening light, alongside woodland, open countryside and plenty of nature to enjoy.
Whether you’re walking the dog, stretching your legs or simply taking some time out, why not finish your visit with a coffee, lunch or a sweet treat at Roots Café?
#RoughamEstate #SuffolkWalks #CountrysideWalks
Tag us @RoughamEstate
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