Ramble and Roots
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
19th Jan
10:00 - 12:30
16th Feb
10:00 - 12:30
16th Mar
10:00 - 12:30
20th Apr
10:00 - 12:30
Where:
The walk starts outside the atrium by the sunken garden at Blackthorpe Barn:
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Sat Nav: IP30 9HZ
Pricing:
The walk is free to join, just pay for whatever you may want at Roots Café afterwards.
Please register your interest by emailing us events@roughamestate.com
A Walk, chats and a cup of tea
Ramble and Roots first started as “Brew Monday” in January, a day encouraging people to connect over a walk and a cuppa and take a moment to check in with themselves and others. It worked so well that we have added further dates, on the third Monday of each month.
Anyone is welcome who would like come for the walk and stay for the chat. This is an opportunity to meet new people, enjoy some company, get outside in nature and be a part of the Rougham community.
The walk starts from Blackthorpe Barn at 10am with a relaxed, guided route around the Estate, led by a friendly face from the team here. It will take in some of the paths from our Walks around the Estate and will last approximately 45 minutes, depending on the route.
It’s a great chance to enjoy the outdoors, get some gentle exercise and meet new people.
Well-behaved dogs on short leads are very welcome.
When we get back to Blackthorpe Barn, you are welcome to continue chatting and have a bite or drink at Roots Café (at your own cost).
These walks will be happening on the third Monday of each month, so if you can’t make one, then come another time.
There is no cost to join, but we ask that you register your interest by emailing events@roughamestate.com
Important information
If the weather has been wet, the walk can be muddy.
How it Works
01
Park in one of the Blackthorpe Barn car parks
There is plenty of free parking around the Barn
02
Meet your guide and group at the atrium entrance to the Café and Shop
The atrium entrance is next to the sunken garden.
For more information, see the Ground Plan.
Please arrive in good time for the start of the walk.
03
The walk takes in woodland/unpaved areas which can be muddy
Please wear suitable shoes for unpaved pathways in the current weather.
Enjoy walking through the lovely Suffolk countryside and chatting with others in a relaxed setting.
We expect the walks to be approximately 45 minutes or so, as a gentle stroll around the Barn.
04
Return to Blackthorpe Barn for a coffee and chat at Roots Café
Back at the Barn, you can continue chatting and have a bite to eat or a drink at Roots Café, if you would like.
Any costs at Roots Café to be paid for at the time.
05
The walk goes ahead in all weathers
If the weather is so bad that the walk can’t go ahead, we will try to contact you by email or on the phone number you gave us.
06
Facilities are at Blackthorpe Barn
Please use the facilities at Blackthorpe Barn, at the start and end of the walk.
There are no facilities or places to sit down on the walk itself.
07
Longer Walks
If you prefer a longer walk, take a look at our Walks Page and sort by medium or hard routes.
Things to Bring
- Bring sturdy shoes or wellies, especially if it’s been raining recently
- Bring a raincoat if it looks like rain
- Please keep dogs on a short lead
- Anything you may want at Roots Café after the walk is to be paid for at the time
- Bring an enjoyment of time outside and meeting new people
Blackthorpe Barn
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Plenty of parking on site
Free to park
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, with the Barn on the right of the avenue.
Blackthorpe Barn’s black and white signs direct visitors from local roads.
Frequently Asked Questions
There isn’t a booking system for Ramble and Roots as such, but we ask that you register your interest in coming with us at events@roughamestate.com so that we know how big the group will be and we don’t start without you.
There is no cost to join in the walk, but if you would like to have a drink or food at Roots Café afterwards please pay for what you order at the café.
The walk will be a gentle walk of around 45 minutes, using the paths around Blackthorpe Barn. It will not be anything particularly strenuous but rather a stroll outside with time to chat with others in the group followed by the opportunity of continuing chats over tea and coffee at Roots Café.
Please be aware that the walks will include unpaved paths, for example on bridleways or through woodlands, so wear suitable footwear especially if it’s been raining when paths may be muddy.
We’re sorry to hear you won’t be able to join us this time.
Please email us on events@roughamestate.com to let us know that you can’t come.
Perhaps you can come on the next walk – we’re aiming to hold them on every 3rd Monday on the month.
The walk is a gentle stroll through the countryside around Blackthorpe Barn, focussed on time to enjoy being outside and chatting with others. It will not be a brisk or long hike.
If you would prefer something a little more strenuous, have a look at the Medium or Hard Routes on our Walks page.
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Exciting update…
From tomorrow, Monday 2nd February, the re-thatch will begin on our much loved Blackthorpe Barn.
To ensure safety during this process, please note that the car park in front of the barn (as shown in the first picture) will be closed for the duration of the works. We anticipate that this will take approximately 2-3 months, depending on the weather conditions.
However there will be ample parking available in the overflow car park and the car park where we sell Christmas Trees at Christmas.
We look forward to sharing more updates on the re-thatch as we go 😊
#Rethatch #BlackthorpeBarn #RoughamEstate
Goodbye January…
Hello February!
Here’s a snapshot of moments on the Estate during January. We think you’ll agree, it’s a place of calm and delight. Even in January, it’s beautiful.
#january2026 #roughamestate
There is something truly delightful about a proper croissant, isn’t there? It’s all about those golden, paper-thin layers that shatter when you bite into them, revealing a soft, buttery middle that’s light as air.
Well, today, there’s no better excuse to tuck into one as it’s national croissant day.
Whether you’re a “purist” who loves them plain and flaky, or you prefer yours slathered in jam, they are the ultimate indulgence for any time of the day.
You could go ultra indulgent and add bacon and eggs to yours!
Head on down to Roots Cafe today to enjoy a bit of France in the Suffolk countryside.
#rootscafe #suffolk #nationalcroissantday
Make friendly connections and enjoy some fresh air and a brew at the next Ramble & Roots walk on the 16th February.
Join us at 10am outside the sunken garden at Blackthorpe Barn (IP30 9HZ) for a relaxed 45-minute stroll through the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
It’s a fantastic opportunity to meet new friends, enjoy nature, and share a brew together afterward at Roots Café. We only ask that you register your interest by emailing events@roughamestate.com
It’s free to attend and you will be guided on the walk by a friendly face of Rougham Estate.
Let’s continue the great conversations and community spirit.
#RoughamEstate #RambleAndRoots #SuffolkWalks #MakeNewFriends
As we enter the final week of Veganuary, we`re excited to unveil our last vegan dish in the brunch special…
This one showcases how flavourful vegan food can be - Red lentil, Chickpea & Quinoa Curry with Red Pepper, Spinach, Poppadom, Mango Chutney, Pickled Red Onions and Coriander.
Roots cafe is open daily 9am til 4pm.
#veganuary2026 #rootcafe #roughamestate
We are a perfect location for those slow January days…
Take time to recharge in our Suffolk setting with a stroll or simply a wander round our @roughamestateshop or time out in our Roots Cafe.
It’s what we do best.
#roughamestate #slowdays #rootscafe
Applications are now open for Rougham Estate Arts and Crafts 2026, held in Blackthorpe Barn near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
We are looking for art and craft of the highest standard, especially contemporary design. You must design and make all the work yourself and be available to be at your stall all weekend.
The event is held over 5 weekends from 14th November to 13th December.
We love to welcome new makers to the medieval thatched Barn, as well as seeing old friends again from around the country.
The first tranche of stalls will be allocated by the selection committee, usually in March.
From textiles to glasswork, ceramics, woodwork, jewellery, metalwork, art, sculpture and more, submit an application to join the talented craftspeople this coming Christmas.
Please share this post with makers who would be interested in joining us. All the information can be found from our website.
We look forward to hearing from you!
#artsandcraft #artisanmarket #handmade #craftsmanship #britishcraft artsandcraftsmovement artisanmade eastanglianartists
One of the things people often notice at Rougham is our network of hedges, stretching for nearly 30 miles.
While many hedgerows were removed by estates and farms in the 1960s and 70s, Rougham Estate largely resisted this, which is why our landscape still feels so rich and enclosed today. We also continue to plant new hedges across the estate and along field boundaries.
Caring for our hedges is essential work. They need regular management, carefully timed to avoid the bird nesting season.
Over the coming months, you may notice one or two hedges looking quite different. This is because they are being coppiced, a traditional practice where a hedge is cut back close to the ground.
It can look dramatic at first, but coppicing helps us carry out vital ditch clearance work and, in the longer term, actually benefits the hedge. Strong regrowth creates a thicker base, providing better shelter and habitats for wildlife. All work is carried out in winter, ready for healthy growth in spring.
Three years on, the hedge will be fuller, stronger and healthier than before as you can see in these pictures.
So if you notice our hedges seemingly disappear for a short time, they will be back bigger and better than before!
#roughamestate #hedgerows #coppicing #landmanagement
Tag us @RoughamEstate
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