Art and Craft at Blackthorpe Barn
Centre for showing and learning art and craft near Bury St Edmunds
Be Inspired
Blackthorpe Barn on Rougham Estate is a thriving centre for art and craft enthusiasts, providing a vibrant platform for local and regional talent. The Barn hosts inspiring exhibitions, transforming its space into a dynamic gallery to showcase a diverse range of artistic expressions.
Commitment to the arts extends beyond exhibitions, encompassing hands-on workshops taught by experienced tutors as well as the renowned Arts and Crafts Fair in November and December, attracting talented makers from around the country.
Craft Workshops
Come and discover the art of a traditional craft, perhaps for pure pleasure or to satisfy your creative aspirations. Take part in our in-person workshops in the Meadow Room at Blackthorpe Barn, where learning a new craft is a perfect stress-relieving remedy.
Led by skilled and artistic professionals, each workshop offers a delightful and relaxing learning experience in our rural Suffolk setting.
Upcoming Workshops
Art Exhibitions
The exhibitions at Blackthorpe Barn showcase a range of artistic disciplines, from contemporary pieces to traditional art forms, creating an inspirational and enriching experience for visitors.
The old thatched barn provides a unique location for both established and emerging artists, fostering a vibrant artistic community. The carefully curated exhibitions not only celebrate the beauty of art but also contribute to the cultural enrichment of the community, making Blackthorpe Barn a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts.
Forthcoming Exhibitions
Arts and Crafts Fair
For over 30 years the Arts and Crafts Fair has been held at Blackthorpe Barn
- featuring textiles, ceramics, glassware, metalware, woodwork, beauty products, leather items, jewellery, basketry, food and much more
- held over 5 weekends during November and December
- showcasing some of the country’s most talented artists and craft-makers
- makers specifically chosen to ensure quality and a wide range of crafts
- each weekend features a new mix of creators and artists
Where to find us
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
Plenty of free parking on site.
Please keep to the 20mph speed limit.
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy.
The car parks close when Roots Café closes and the entrance gates are locked after this time.
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.
The Barn is down the avenue, on the right.
The Rougham Post
NEVER MISS A THING
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We had a fab opportunity to host the local press for an educational tour of our rethatch recently.
They got to interview owner George Agnew and master thatcher Stuart from @dodsonbrosthatchers who was very impressive.
We took the chance to capture some of our own behind-the-scenes content and educational insights to share with you soon.
It was a cold morning, but we all walked away having learned something new!
Keep your eyes peeled for the feature in the East Anglian Daily Times. 👀
Get your taste buds ready for our new weekly special at Roots Café.
This dish has chicken, bacon, our homemade Caesar dressing, mini gem lettuce and beef tomato, all served in a toasted ciabatta.
It is available now but for this week only.
Whether you are local to Rougham or visiting the grounds for a walk, it makes for a perfect stop during your day.
Join us this week to try it for yourself before the menu rotates.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafe #Suffolk #BritishFood #CafeSpecial
You may already know that all the coffee we serve here at Rougham Estate is supplied by the award-winning speciality coffee roasters @butterworths based locally in Bury St Edmunds.
Now we are pleased to say that Butterworth’s coffee is also used in all our coffee cakes too.
This one here is a delicious coffee and walnut cake (first pic) made by the fabulous @rudisbakin who makes many of our cakes.
We’re keen to support local businesses where possible.
Sunday is the perfect day for a trip out into the Suffolk countryside to have coffee and cake. You’ll find a range of sweet treats, cakes and scones here as well as a large selection of tasty drinks, hot, cold and alcoholic.
Come and enjoy!!
#supportlocal #suffolklife #suffolksfinest #burystedmunds #coffeeculture
Looking for something new this weekend?
How about trying the new Korean Buttermilk Fried Chicken dish on our Roots Café menu, with kimchi and spring onion salsa, a fried egg and gochujang BBQ sauce, all atop tasty focaccia. It’s a great breakfast to set you up for the day or as brunch, perhaps after a walk through the woods here – the snowdrops are wonderful right now.
Why not make a day of it with a browse through the Lifestyle and Garden Shop, full of delightful and desirable items to beautify your home and outdoor spaces.
Or, if you’re looking for something more refreshing, we’re pleased to have the Roaming Sauna with us all weekend. Bring your ‘cossie, a couple of towels and perhaps some friends, and enjoy the full hot and cold reset experience in the peace of the gorgeous Suffolk countryside (book directly with @the_roaming_sauna_ ).
Rougham Estate – the perfect place to relax and restore your energy at the weekend.
Roots Café open daily 9am – 4pm
Rougham Estate Shop open daily 10am – 4pm
2 minutes south of the A14, J45, near Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
Plenty of free parking. All the details from our website.
#roughamestate #suffolkliving #suffolklife #suffolksfinest #daysoutsuffolk
Our new collection of nature-inspired Spring workshops are now open for booking.
The @the__coddiwomplers return for their popular Willow Weaving sessions, where you can make mini-baskets or sculptural flowers.
If you prefer working with light and colour,Danielle Hopkinson from @stained_glass_studio is back with her Fused Glass workshops to help you create striking garden art and sculptures.
These friendly, hands-on sessions are the perfect way to learn a new skill this season. Spaces are limited, so early booking is highly recommended.
Find out more and book your spot the link is in the bio.
#workshops #roughamestate #craftworkshops
Since the Barn rethatch has been so popular, we’ve decided to share regular updates on our progress and answer some of your questions.
While you can see the transformation in person (but only from the ground), these posts are for those who can’t stop by regularly and for those who want to see it from a bird’s eye view. They also serve as a wonderful visual record of the project.
As you drive down the avenue towards Blackthorpe Barn, you’ll notice the piles of straw waiting to be transported to the Barn by digger. Progress is well underway and we’re looking forward to sharing the milestones with you!
To answer some of your questions:
Is it full of life?
Absolutely. The old thatch is a bustling habitat for spiders, beetles, moth larvae, and more. It’s its own little ecosystem!
Can we watch?
We’d love for you to see the progress! You and your children are more than welcome to observe from our designated safe zones.
Does the new thatch go on top of the old?
Yes! As long as the base layer is still in good condition, they don`t need to strip it back to the rafters. We remove the weathered surface and fix the new thatch directly into the sturdy old layer. It’s a bit like adding a fresh, protective coat over a solid foundation.
Keep your questions coming. We love to answer them!
#Rethatch #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #restoringheritage
Before the first customer walks through the door, the Rougham Estate is already buzzing with the morning hustle, shared laughs, and a brew or two.
It’s the hidden energy, the morning prep, and the care poured into every single corner.
We love the buzz of a busy day and the team that brings it all to life. It’s what we do, and we love every second of it!
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #roughamestateshop #shopinburystedmunds
Our special for this week has a Mediterranean twist.
Get an early taste of summer with this dish of greek giant beans on toasted sourdough with cashew cream, tzatziki, pickled red onions and dill.
Only available this week at Roots Café so don’t miss out.
#Suffolkfood #BrunchSpecials #Eatlocal #Rootssuffolk #RoughamEstate
Tag us @RoughamEstate
