Ramble and Roots
Key details
When:
Date:
Time:
20th Apr
10:00 - 12:30
18th May
10:00 - 12:30
15th Jun
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected]
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 [email protected] 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 [email protected] 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.
Related Events
Never miss a thing
Follow us on instagram
Ramble & Roots reminder!
Get some fresh air and meet new people on our Ramble & Roots walk on Monday 15 June at 10am, starting at Blackthorpe Barn.
It’s free to attend a relaxed and includes a guided route around the Estate and will last approximately 45 minutes.
At the end you can continue to chat over a cuppa that you can purchase in Roots Cafe. You can even treat yourself to a cake or brunch. More information is on our website.
To take part please register your interest by emailing [email protected]
#rambleandroots #communitywalks #roughamestate
We have a real treat this week. Not one, but two specials and a drinks special!
We have:
Brunch - roasted new potatoes, garlic peppers and onions coated in bacon jam and topped with halloumi.
Salad - dressed spinach leaves cucumber and tomatoes topped with red beetroot, golden beetroot, burrata and hot honey.
And for our drinks we have blueberry iced matcha with vanilla cold foam.
Only available this week 🍹So don’t miss out!
#foodspecial #Roughamestate #icedcoffee
It gives us great joy to share that Rougham Primary School has won large gold in the Suffolk Schools Show Garden Competition at last week’s Suffolk Show!
This fantastic achievement showcases the hard work and dedication of the students and their gardening club. We’ve loved supporting their journey over the years with compost, tools and wheelbarrows, and it’s so rewarding to see their efforts bloom!
A big shout-out to the talented young gardeners who made this possible. Your creativity and passion for gardening truly shine!
Congratulations, Rougham Primary! Here’s to many more gardening adventures ahead.
#RoughamEstate #RoughamPrimary #SuffolkShow #CommunitySupport
Photo credit to Suffolk Show.
Farming is a major part of life at the Estate.
While many envisage food crops, we also cultivate wildflower meadows, great for bees and biodiversity and excellent at returning nutrients to the soil.
As part of Rougham Estate in Bloom, we want to acknowledge this often-overlooked side of the farm.
#roughamestate #roughamestateinbloom #farmlife
@watsons_plants are back today and tomorrow.
You’ll find a beautiful range of garden plants to buy and also some advice from Chris himself on how to make your garden wonderful this summer!
#popupplantstall #roughamestate #gardenlover
We’re proud to care for 30 miles of hedgerow across the estate that provide living corridors full of history and wildlife.
In this video, George explains how to tell a hedgerow’s age.
Hedgerows have many benefits for the Estate: they provide habitat and food for birds, insects and mammals, support pollinators and biodiversity, stabilise soil and prevent erosion, and store carbon to boost climate resilience.
On our walks you’ll pass many hedgerows - you can find a range of routes on our website suitable for most abilities.
#RoughamEstateInBloom #roughamestate #biodiversity #walks
Our next Canvas Club date is set!!
Enjoy a relaxed evening of painting, sharing delicious tapas, and sipping fizz, all guided by artist Sarah Day of Day Design.
Create your own vibrant lobster artwork with step-by-step guidance. No experience is needed, just bring your creativity! Your ticket includes a glass of fizz and a curated selection of tapas plates.
Don’t miss this unique experience, get ready to paint, chat, and unwind! For more details, check out our website. 🦞🥂
#RoughamEstate #SipandPaint #Rootscafe #thingstodoinbury
As we enter the first week of June, it’s officially time for alfresco dining!
So why not try our brunch special which is a taste of the Mediterranean but in the UK - flatbread with marinara sauce, burrata, fresh basil and sun‑dried tomatoes, finished with oregano.
For something seasonal and healthy, try our special salad of thyme and rosemary with roasted cherry tomatoes, garlic‑roasted asparagus, crumbled feta, pickled red onions and toasted pine nuts. It’s not one to miss.
#roughamestate #rootscafe #seasonaldishes #wheretoeatinbury
Tag us @RoughamEstate
The Rougham Post
Read about what's happening on the Estate
Vacancies
Vacancy: Lead Sprayer and Combine Operator
An exciting opportunity has arisen within the arable team for a capable and enthusiastic individual to take on the role of Lead Sprayer and Combine Op...
Read more
May 22, 2026
Estate
April on the Estate
A view of the Estate during April 2026
Read more
May 2, 2026
