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Ramble and Roots 2026
Key details
When:
Dates will be added again for early 2027.
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 book a ticket for each person attending Tickets are free to book
Last day to book: the Saturday before the walk on Monday
A Walk, chats and a cup of tea
Ramble and Roots first started as “Brew Monday” in January 2026, 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.
Ramble and Roots will return in January 2027.
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 take place 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 book a ticket for each person attending.
If after booking a ticket you are no longer able to join us, please drop us an email at [email protected] to cancel your ticket.
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
Yes, please book a ticket to let us know that you are joining us for the Ramble and Roots walk. There is no cost for booking the ticket.
We have introduced a ticketing system to keep the group small and manageable. The number of tickets available each month is limited.
By booking a ticket, we know that you are coming and we won’t start the walk without you.
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 [email protected] to let us know that you can’t come, so that we can release your ticket for someone else to use.
Perhaps you can come on the next walk – we’re aiming to hold them on every 3rd Monday on the month.
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.
Please book a ticket to let us know that you are coming – there is no cost to book the ticket.
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.
We intend to go ahead with the walk in all weathers, so bring rain gear if it looks as though it might be wet.
If the weather is so bad that we have to cancel the walk, we will get in touch with you using the contact information you gave us when you booked your ticket.
Related Events
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It was so good, we’re doing it again!
Pumpkins by Torchlight and the famous Silent Disco was a total blast last Saturday evening and we sold out of headsets.
For this weekend (Saturday 24th Oct) we’ve managed to get hold of some more, so we still have headset tickets left!
There are those who had such a good time last Saturday, they’ve booked again for this weekend.
Come along and join in the fun, scout through the pumpkins by torchlight, grab some great food, toast s’mores, climb on the big bales, all while having a great boogie.
Not forgetting face painting by @faceitfaceart
🎃Free entry, free parking, no booking needed to come along. Open 6pm-9pm.
🕺If you want to join the silent disco, book your headset on our website: £6 per headset.
Booking essential.
We run a waiting list on the night, but can’t guarantee you’ll get one.
🎃3 channels of music, one child-friendly
🎃Dogs on a short lead welcome in the play area and small doggy patch, but not in the main patch
🎃A great line-up of food trucks serving all day and in the evening (see next images)
🎃Find us at IP30 9HX
🎃All the details on our website (and under the next pictures)
Fabulous food on Saturday evening from:
Roots&Co - venison burgers, beef burgers, crumble, drinks including a bar - cider, lager, wine.
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
And…
@badboiburritos - toasted burritos
@itsotisbreading - sourdough toasties
@tikka_tonic - New Delhi style street food
And…
@thecreperieshack - sweet & savoury crepes
@geegeebakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@fullthrottlecoffeeco - coffees
This is the last Pumpkins by Torchlight for 2026 - don’t miss it!
We’ll be open daily 24-31 October, 9am-5pm over half term. Free entry, no booking needed.
Quieter, ticketed SEN sessions on 27th and 29th, 9am-10am. Tickets available from our website.
See you soon 👋
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #pumpkinsbytorchlight #burystedmunds
Our new seasonal menu has arrived at Roots Café, bringing a fresh selection of breakfast, brunch and lunch options to enjoy.
The menu includes a fresh corner with granola, overnight oats and fruit bowls, alongside our traditional fry-ups and a wider choice of brunch dishes.
There are eggs and hollandaise with your choice of topping, avocado on sourdough, pulled chicken croissants and mushrooms on toast.
For lunch, the new menu features a range of ciabattas, from roasted courgette with red pepper hummus to pulled pork with sage and onion stuffing, as well as roasted pumpkin with whipped feta and chicken with brie and cranberry.
Salad of the week has also been replaced with something warmer- a soup, perfect for the cooler months.
And for those with a sweet tooth, there are two new seasonal desserts: pumpkin loaf cake with ginger mascarpone and spiced apple swirl with butterscotch sauce. We also have fresh pastries from the Friendly Loaf each day.
Whether you’re stopping by for breakfast, meeting friends for lunch or warming up after a walk around the Estate, there’s plenty to enjoy at Roots Café this autumn and winter.
Open daily until 5pm now (4pm on Sundays), making a perfect pit stop after Christmas shopping at our Rougham Estate Christmas Shop.
#rootscafe #roughamestate #newmenu #burystedmunds
The moment we’ve been waiting for has finally arrived! 🎅🏼
Christmas magic has officially started here at Rougham Estate with the opening of our Christmas Shop, marking the start of our biggest season of the year.
This year, we’re inviting you to step inside a Christmas story, with beautifully styled rooms, thousands of decorations, thoughtful gifts and festive inspiration around every corner.
From traditional Christmas charm to playful pops of colour and cosy alpine styling, there’s plenty to discover as you explore.
And this is just the beginning. Our Arts & Crafts Fair returns for five weekends from 14th November, bringing talented makers from across Britain, while Christmas tree sales begin on 20th November.
Roots Café is open daily until 5pm throughout the Christmas season (4pm on Sundays), so why not make a day of it with a coffee, something delicious to eat and a little festive shopping?
Whether you’re starting your Christmas preparations or simply looking for a lovely day out, we can’t wait to welcome you.
Come and step inside our Christmas story and let us know what you think!
Open Monday–Saturday, 9.30am–5pm
Sunday, 9.30am–4pm
Free entry and free parking.
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #BlackthorpeBarn
Tomorrow, the story begins!
The elves are packing up as we’re getting ready to welcome you into our Country Christmas Shop at Blackthorpe Barn.
Discover beautifully styled festive rooms, thousands of decorations, unique gifts and inspiration for your own Christmas. From traditional charm to contemporary colour and cosy alpine styling, there’s something to enjoy around every corner.
And when you need a festive pit stop, Roots Café will be ready to welcome you, too.
We open tomorrow, Monday 19 October!
Opening times:
Monday–Saturday, 9.30am–5pm
Sunday, 9.30am–4pm
Free entry and free parking. We can’t wait to see you!
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #ChristmasShop
Wow - what a day we had yesterday!
From blue skies and sunshine, to a couple of short showers followed by a stunning rainbow, and ending with the amazing Pumpkins by Torchlight.
@megan_rae_music put on a wonderful show in the afternoon and it was great to see those with silent disco headsets singing and dancing after dark.
All these pics were taken yesterday-did you get any good ones?
We are open again today, Sunday 18th October, 9am-5pm. There are still thousands upon thousands of pumpkins, all wanting to be chosen and taken home by you.
Please be careful driving to the patch this morning. The Bury half marathon is running under the A14 at Junction 45, where you turn off to come to us, so please drive very slowly there.
And just look at this feast selection of food we have for you at the patch today:
Roots&Co - venison and beef burgers, bagels, breakfast baps, soup, drinks including a bar - cider, lager, wine.
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@badboiburritos - toasted burritos
@pigs_in - from pulled pork to sausages and bacon
@tikka_tonic - New Delhi style street food
@itsotisbreading - sourdough toasties
@thecreperieshack - sweet & savoury crepes
@geegeebakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@fullthrottlecoffeeco - coffees
@greyscoffee_ - coffees and cakes
@kiernanscoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks at the Pitch in the Patch
Not forgetting face painting all day by @faceitfaceart .
Free entry, free parking, no booking needed. Satnav: IP30 9HX.
Then we are open again from 24th every day to 31st, 9am-5pm, with another Pumpkins by Torchlight with silent disco next Saturday, 24th. Last few headset tickets available.
On 27th and 29th, 9am-10am, we are holding SEN hours where entry is by ticket only.
Book all tickets on our website.
Come along and enjoy the great autumnal outdoors.
We can’t wait to see you 🎃👋
All the details on our website.
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #suffolkevents #burystedmunds
Have you been to Rougham Pumpkins yet? Now is the time to visit (again)!
🎵Saturday 17th 2pm-4pm
Enjoy live music from @megan_rae_music singing both country and Disney songs to join in with. Free entry.
🕺Saturday 17th 6pm-9pm
Pumpkins by Torchlight and the Silent Disco. Free entry, no booking needed to come for the evening. All headsets now booked, but there’ll be a waiting list at the event.
There’s another Silent Disco and Pumpkins by Torchlight on 24th.
Open 9am-5pm on Saturday and Sunday: free entry, free parking, no booking needed.
Games, bale pyramids, room to run and play, thousands of pumpkins, face painting by @faceitfaceart , plenty of photo ops, thousands of pumpkins waiting to be picked.
🍔Look at the huge range of fabulous food here this weekend.
Here both days as well as Saturday evening:
Roots&Co - venison burgers, beef burgers, bagels, baps, crumble, drinks including a bar - cider, lager, wine.
@whatthe_peck - Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@BadBoiBurritos - toasted burritos
@ItsOtisBreading - sourdough toasties
@tikka_tonic - New Delhi style street food
@thecreperieshack - sweet & savoury crepes
@GeeGeeBakes - cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@fullthrottlecoffeeco - coffees
These trucks are here both days this weekend:
@pigs_in - all your pork favourites
@KiernansCoffee - coffees, drinks & snacks at the Pitch in the Patch
Joining us on Sunday 18th:
@greyscoffee_ - coffees and cakes
🎃Find the Pumpkin Patch on Elderstub Lane, Rougham - SatNav IP30 9HX.
Maps and directions on our website.
You are welcome to stay between 5pm-6pm on Saturday but please be aware we will be rearranging the area 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.
On Sunday morning, the Bury St Edmunds half-marathon will be going down Sow Lane from Junction 45, A14, past the entrance to Blackthorpe Barn. Please drive very slowly while runners are there.
The pumpkins are open again 24th-31st Oct every day 9am-5pm, with bookable SEN hours on 27th and 29th.
See you here!🎃
#burystedmunds #suffolkevents #roughamestate
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
Tag us @RoughamEstate
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