Press and Media Information

Just outside Bury St Edmunds, Rougham remains a working agricultural estate, with farming at the heart of its history and an important part of its future. Alongside agriculture, the Estate manages around 650 acres of woodland, including areas of ancient woodland and almost 30 miles of hedgerows, with ongoing work to support biodiversity and the long-term health of the land.

Over the years, the Estate has diversified from its farming roots, with Blackthorpe Barn becoming a destination for visitors and one of Suffolk’s best-known Christmas experiences. What began as a seasonal Christmas offering has grown into a year-round programme of events, alongside the award-winning Lifestyle Shop and Roots Café.

The Lifestyle Shop offers a carefully curated collection of home, garden and lifestyle products, including independent makers and brands, and has received a number of awards, including Muddy Stilettos’ Best Lifestyle Shop.

Christmas remains a major part of the Estate’s visitor programme, with Blackthorpe Barn welcoming visitors for festive shopping, artisan makers and seasonal experiences. Across the rest of the year, the Estate’s events calendar includes its popular pumpkin and sunflower experiences, artisan events, workshops and other seasonal activities.

Roots Café adds another dimension to the visitor experience, providing a relaxed countryside setting for food and refreshments throughout the year.

Today, Rougham Estate brings together a working farm and managed countryside with a thriving visitor destination. Its story is one of rural diversification: finding new ways to connect people with the Estate while continuing to farm the land, manage its woodland and invest in its future.

Rougham Estate can provide information, interviews and expert comment on farming, rural diversification, retail, independent makers, Christmas, seasonal events, Suffolk walks, rural tourism, hospitality, conservation, biodiversity and the Suffolk countryside.