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.
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
Follow us on Instagram
It’s a bank holiday weekend and the weather looks good! So for many, that can mean time in the garden.
If you are in need of gardening essentials but also gardening accessories we have plenty in store.
We also have @watsons_plants with their pop-up stand ready with some established plants or to get some green finger advice.
Happy Bank holiday!
#watsonplants #roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #bankholidayweekend☀️
Goodbye April!
It was a month that we enjoyed seeing the energy return to the Estate.
The days got longer, the bluebells made a show, wildlife started to come to life and farming was in full flow.
There was even the occasional al fresco dining on the decking at Roots Café and BBQ items started to make an appearance in the shop.
Such a treat it was. But now we get to say hello May!
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #goodbyeapril
Today we say farewell to Danny our head chef.
For the last couple of years, Danny has been the culinary creative behind the delightful dishes on our menu, and has shaped how Roots is today.
We would like to thank him and wish him well in his next chapter.
And…
Don’t miss out on his final special with us this week of Hash Brown, Suffolk Black Pudding Purée, Avocado, Poached Egg, Sumac.
More news will follow on our new head chef and in the meantime our menu will remain the same.
#thankyou #bestwishes #foodgenius
Watson Plants pop-up returns to Rougham Estate this bank holiday weekend.
Whether you need expert gardening advice or want to pick up new plants for a vibrant summer garden, it’s the perfect chance to give your outdoor space some TLC while you have a bit more time off.
Don’t forget to nip into the Rougham Estate shop while you’re here to grab your gardening essentials – from tools to treats!
#gardening #gardeningideas #popupplants #roughamestate
The votes are in, the butchers have delivered, and your custom sausage creation is officially hitting the menu.
We’ve been working with @thurstonbutchers to bring this taste sensation to life, and starting today, the Brie & Chipotle Jam Sausage is ready for you. 🙌
Here is exactly what’s on the board this week:
The Signature Ciabatta…
Our bespoke sausages served in a crusty ciabatta, loaded with fresh rocket, sweet onion jam and a drizzle of chipotle mayo for that extra kick.
The Benedict Swap…
For those who can’t start the day without a Benedict, you can upgrade your Pork Belly Benny to the new Brie and chipotle jam sausages.
Our new sausage flavour profile was chosen by our followers, so pop down and get a taste of what we’ve created especially for you. We’ll be serving these until the batch runs out.
Available at Roots Cafe all week. Open daily from 9am-4pm!
#rootscafe #suffolksausage #roughamestate #rootssausage #thurstonbutchers
So that’s it…
After weeks of hard graft, the final touches on the new thatch have been completed on our much loved Blackthorpe Barn.
As @dodsonbrosthatchers packed up their tools and the scaffolding came down, the rethatch is finally finished and the car park is now back to normal and life here is returning to its gentle rhythm of normality.
We hope everyone who visited to see the rethatch found it as enlightening as we did. Watching traditional craft brought to life reminded us why moments like these, which only come around every 35 years for the Estate, make the history of the estate so precious to preserve.
Here’s a small recap of the final works on the beautiful Blackthorpe Barn.
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #burystedmunds
Our baristas Charlie and Katie are staying one step ahead of the grind with some hands-on training from @butterworths coffee.
From dialling in the perfect shot to steaming milk just right, they’ve been fine-tuning their skills with a local supplier that really knows its beans!
It’s all about raising the bar(ista) and making sure every cup we serve is brewed to perfection.
Come and put them to the test…☕️
#BaristaLife #CoffeeCraft #StayGrounded #BrewedToPerfection #SupportLocal
The weather’s looking a little more inviting… which can only mean one thing – it’s time to get out and explore.
There is no better place to do that than in the Suffolk countryside amongst the daffies and other spring flowers.
Our walks around Rougham Estate are the perfect excuse to enjoy a breath of fresh air, stretch your legs, and take in the beauty of the estate as the seasons begin to shift.
Whether it’s a gentle wander or something a little more purposeful, there’s a range of different walks to suit most abilities and all listed on our website.
Then, perhaps a well-earned stop at Roots Café afterwards – and a detour to the Rougham Estate Shop?
What a perfect day out!
#walks #whattodoinburystedmunds #rootscafe #outdoors
Tag us @RoughamEstate
