SEN-friendly Sunflower Sessions

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.

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.

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 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.

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.