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 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 5mph 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, with the Barn on the right of the avenue.
Blackthorpe Barn’s black and white signs direct visitors from local roads.
The Rougham Post
NEVER MISS A THING
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The Garden Room Shop has reduced while we get ready for Christmas BUT it’s still packed with some gorgeous items.
Give your home some autumn vibes with a splash of orange and scented spiced candles for those cosy days in.
#autumn #AutumnVibes #interior #cosyvibes #pumpkin #pumpkinseason
The Garden Room Shop has reduced while we get ready for Christmas BUT it’s still packed with some gorgeous items.
Give your home some autumn vibes with a splash of orange and scented spiced candles for those cosy days in.
#autumn #AutumnVibes #interior #cosyvibes #pumpkin #pumpkinseason
Making the most of last of the sunshine we have some summer style brunch specials so why not swing by and enjoy a dish and sit in our courtyard or on our decking in the sunken garden?
This week we have:
Hot Dog with Gherkins, Rocket, Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions
Our Sandwich special:
Halloumi with Sweet Chilli Mayo, Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion and Gem Lettuce in ciabatta bread. Part of the 2 for £20 deal Monday to Thursday only.
Don’t miss out!
#Brunch #WeeklySpecials #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #RoughamEstate
Making the most of last of the sunshine we have some summer style brunch specials so why not swing by and enjoy a dish and sit in our courtyard or on our decking in the sunken garden?
This week we have:
Hot Dog with Gherkins, Rocket, Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese and Crispy Onions
Our Sandwich special:
Halloumi with Sweet Chilli Mayo, Roasted Red Pepper, Red Onion and Gem Lettuce in ciabatta bread. Part of the 2 for £20 deal Monday to Thursday only.
Don’t miss out!
#Brunch #WeeklySpecials #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #RoughamEstate
New to Rougham Estate!
We have @the_roaming_sauna_ here on September 13 &14th.
Set in the Suffolk countryside, you can enjoy the custom built sauna housed within a rustic trailer, where the inviting heat wraps around you, promoting relaxation and detoxification.
Then plunge into cold water after for Contrast Therapy which is proven to boost circulation and recovery, reduce stress and tension, strengthen immunity, improve sleep leaving you energised and refreshed. What’s not to love!?
Whether you book a single session or gather friends for a private group adventure, you’re in for an unparalleled wellness escape.
Soothe your body and soul in the heart of nature.
For more or to book visit roughamestate.com/welcome
#roamingsauna #roughamestate #relax #rejenuvate #suffolkcountryside
New to Rougham Estate!
We have @the_roaming_sauna_ here on September 13 &14th.
Set in the Suffolk countryside, you can enjoy the custom built sauna housed within a rustic trailer, where the inviting heat wraps around you, promoting relaxation and detoxification.
Then plunge into cold water after for Contrast Therapy which is proven to boost circulation and recovery, reduce stress and tension, strengthen immunity, improve sleep leaving you energised and refreshed. What’s not to love!?
Whether you book a single session or gather friends for a private group adventure, you’re in for an unparalleled wellness escape.
Soothe your body and soul in the heart of nature.
For more or to book visit roughamestate.com/welcome
#roamingsauna #roughamestate #relax #rejenuvate #suffolkcountryside
Don’t miss out on @watsons_plants who are back today and tomorrow (5 & 6th September) from 10am til 4pm. Not only can you pick up some lovely plants but you can get some great advice too. #roughamestate #Watsonplants #gardenlovers #greenfingers
Don’t miss out on @watsons_plants who are back today and tomorrow (5 & 6th September) from 10am til 4pm. Not only can you pick up some lovely plants but you can get some great advice too. #roughamestate #Watsonplants #gardenlovers #greenfingers
🎉 Artworks at 25!
This September @artworkseast , one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives, celebrates 25 years of exhibiting at the beautiful, thatched Blackthorpe Barn.
What began in 1999 as a handful of artist friends with a shared vision, has grown into a much-loved annual exhibition, showcasing the diversity and talent of professional artists from across the region. This year’s show features all-new work, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
To mark the occasion Artworks is welcoming back three admired past members whose inspiring work adds to the mix of familiar names and fresh surprises: Lillias August, Louise Chapman and Lucy Lutyens.
👩🎨 Expect a warm welcome, a chance to meet artists each day and the return of the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 10-4
🎟️ Free entry
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
Artworks shown here and appearing at the forthcoming exhibition:
On Reflection by @janetfrench_printmaker
Cornerways Foxgloves by @christine.mckechnie
Fond Farewells by Cathy D’Arcy
Suffolk Stream in Autumn by @gillian_ch_art
Small Vessel 1 by @suecaddy
Searing Skyline by Terry Bryan
#Artworkseast #Artworks25 #BlackthorpeBarn #SuffolkArt #EastAngliaArtists #ContemporaryArtUK #SupportLocalArtists #EACHEastAnglia #suffolkartist
🎉 Artworks at 25!
This September @artworkseast , one of East Anglia’s leading artist collectives, celebrates 25 years of exhibiting at the beautiful, thatched Blackthorpe Barn.
What began in 1999 as a handful of artist friends with a shared vision, has grown into a much-loved annual exhibition, showcasing the diversity and talent of professional artists from across the region. This year’s show features all-new work, from bold abstracts and dramatic landscapes to intricate botanical illustrations, sculpture, ceramics, portraiture and more.
To mark the occasion Artworks is welcoming back three admired past members whose inspiring work adds to the mix of familiar names and fresh surprises: Lillias August, Louise Chapman and Lucy Lutyens.
👩🎨 Expect a warm welcome, a chance to meet artists each day and the return of the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, supporting East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) and the Artworks Schools Programme.
📅 13-28 September 10-4
🎟️ Free entry
📍Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9HZ
Artworks shown here and appearing at the forthcoming exhibition:
On Reflection by @janetfrench_printmaker
Cornerways Foxgloves by @christine.mckechnie
Fond Farewells by Cathy D’Arcy
Suffolk Stream in Autumn by @gillian_ch_art
Small Vessel 1 by @suecaddy
Searing Skyline by Terry Bryan
#Artworkseast #Artworks25 #BlackthorpeBarn #SuffolkArt #EastAngliaArtists #ContemporaryArtUK #SupportLocalArtists #EACHEastAnglia #suffolkartist
Well, what a sunflower season that was! 🌞First we were worried about not enough rain and the flowers were taking for ever to grow, then our BBQ supper evening was rained off after a huge deluge.🌧️
🌻The flowers were slow to open but in the end they showed off their glorious golden colours under bright blue skies, bringing joy to thousands.
👋Thank you to everyone who came, for all your kind words and posts. It was a real pleasure to see familiar faces again and to meet new friends. These are just a few of the fabulous pics you shared 😍
🌻Bunches of sunflowers can be bought from the Garden Room Shop now.
👷But an event like this doesn’t just “happen” – it takes months of planning and hard work.
Huge thanks goes to the very hard-working team who put all the pieces together: planning, seed-drilling, preparing the field for visitors, outside partners who delivered/removed what was needed, staff who manned the site, catering staff and those who worked behind the scenes. Without you Rougham Sunflowers 2025 wouldn’t have been the same – thank you!🙏
🎨So what’s next? September promises two weeks of the inspiring 25th Anniversary ArtWorks exhibition and a Botanical Casting workshop.
🍔There is a Butchery, BBQ and Beer evening and Roots Café is open every day as is the Garden Room Shop.
📍All this happens at Blackthorpe Barn; info and tickets from our website.
🎃And in October there are the pumpkins – oh yes, the pumpkins!! They are already looking fabulous and another month of ripening will make them all the more spooktacular. The Rougham Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend in October and every day from Saturday 25th. As always, just come along – no booking needed, free entry and parking.
🌲For those who are already excited about the forthcoming sshhhh! festive season, yes, the Christmas Shop will open on 20th October and the Christmas Festival really gets going from November onwards. All the details from our website.
👋Enjoy the last days of summer and see you soon!
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #autumniscoming #burystedmunds #suffolklife #suffolkevents
Well, what a sunflower season that was! 🌞First we were worried about not enough rain and the flowers were taking for ever to grow, then our BBQ supper evening was rained off after a huge deluge.🌧️
🌻The flowers were slow to open but in the end they showed off their glorious golden colours under bright blue skies, bringing joy to thousands.
👋Thank you to everyone who came, for all your kind words and posts. It was a real pleasure to see familiar faces again and to meet new friends. These are just a few of the fabulous pics you shared 😍
🌻Bunches of sunflowers can be bought from the Garden Room Shop now.
👷But an event like this doesn’t just “happen” – it takes months of planning and hard work.
Huge thanks goes to the very hard-working team who put all the pieces together: planning, seed-drilling, preparing the field for visitors, outside partners who delivered/removed what was needed, staff who manned the site, catering staff and those who worked behind the scenes. Without you Rougham Sunflowers 2025 wouldn’t have been the same – thank you!🙏
🎨So what’s next? September promises two weeks of the inspiring 25th Anniversary ArtWorks exhibition and a Botanical Casting workshop.
🍔There is a Butchery, BBQ and Beer evening and Roots Café is open every day as is the Garden Room Shop.
📍All this happens at Blackthorpe Barn; info and tickets from our website.
🎃And in October there are the pumpkins – oh yes, the pumpkins!! They are already looking fabulous and another month of ripening will make them all the more spooktacular. The Rougham Pumpkin Patch will be open every weekend in October and every day from Saturday 25th. As always, just come along – no booking needed, free entry and parking.
🌲For those who are already excited about the forthcoming sshhhh! festive season, yes, the Christmas Shop will open on 20th October and the Christmas Festival really gets going from November onwards. All the details from our website.
👋Enjoy the last days of summer and see you soon!
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #autumniscoming #burystedmunds #suffolklife #suffolkevents
🌻It’s the last day of the sunflowers today – Tuesday 2 September – open from 9-5.
🌻There are plenty of blooms still left to pick.
🌻Come and have one last wander through the flowers, enjoying the glorious Suffolk countryside.
🌻Let the children run and climb on the bale pyramids, play football, games and enjoy the pedal tractors.
🌻Coffees, drinks, strawberries and snacks are provided by Roots&Co.
🌻As always entrance and parking are free.
🌻There is no face painting today.
🌻We will be closing the 2025 sunflower season today at 5pm.
🌻See you for the last day of the sunflowers 👋
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #sunflowerlove #burystedmunds
🌻It’s the last day of the sunflowers today – Tuesday 2 September – open from 9-5.
🌻There are plenty of blooms still left to pick.
🌻Come and have one last wander through the flowers, enjoying the glorious Suffolk countryside.
🌻Let the children run and climb on the bale pyramids, play football, games and enjoy the pedal tractors.
🌻Coffees, drinks, strawberries and snacks are provided by Roots&Co.
🌻As always entrance and parking are free.
🌻There is no face painting today.
🌻We will be closing the 2025 sunflower season today at 5pm.
🌻See you for the last day of the sunflowers 👋
#roughamestate #roughamsunflowers #suffolksunflowers #sunflowerlove #burystedmunds
Brunch special this week is a popular dish…
The delicious Beef Burger with Emmental Cheese, Balsamic Caramelised Onions, Mini Gem Lettuce with Beef Tomato in a Brioche Bun.
If you’re vegetarian you can replace the burger with halloumi. Win win.
Only available this week.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #Brunch #WeeklySpecials #BrunchVibes
Brunch special this week is a popular dish…
The delicious Beef Burger with Emmental Cheese, Balsamic Caramelised Onions, Mini Gem Lettuce with Beef Tomato in a Brioche Bun.
If you’re vegetarian you can replace the burger with halloumi. Win win.
Only available this week.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafé #FoodLovers #BrunchSpecial #Brunch #WeeklySpecials #BrunchVibes
Tag us @RoughamEstate
