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
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A little taste of autumn has arrived at Roots Café.
These delish Oak Farm apples have just been picked here on Rougham Estate and delivered straight to the café, ready to be turned into some delicious dishes.
There’s something rather lovely about knowing exactly where your food has come from – from our land to the Roots kitchen.
If you want to taste the dishes they go in to, you know where to head 😉
#rootscafe #roughamestate
One last evening in the sunflowers and an afternoon of finding your inner Van Gogh…
What an evening this last sundowner is going to be! We had a great time with @runvibes.events last weekend – now it’s open to everyone!
This Saturday, as the season draws to a close, we’re opening the field again for a special summer sundowner. Come and enjoy the golden hour in the sunflowers with a BBQ, music, drinks and a proper festival feel. It’s the perfect way to say goodbye to the sunflowers.
🍔 Summer BBQ with meat supplied by @thurstonbutchers : beef burgers, chicken, hot dogs, halloumi and vegan options as well as salad options. Book your tickets now; they’re limited and once they’re gone, they’re gone. Children’s meals are cheeseburgers or hotdogs.
🎵 Easy summer tunes from @solismusicuk as the sun goes down
🍹 Beer, wine, cider, Prosecco and cocktails from the Roots&Co bar
🍓 Snacks, traybakes, strawberries, ice creams and sweet treats from Roots&Co
✨ Face painting and a glitter bar for that festival touch from @faceitfaceart
🌻 Sunflowers to pick and take home
Entrance and parking are free as always. Book your BBQ ticket if you’d like us to cook for you. Picnics welcome too.
📅 Saturday 15th August
🕕 Gates open 6pm – Last entry 8:30pm – Field closes 9pm
🎟️ BBQ sittings: 6–7pm or 7–8pm
Menu details and more info from our website.
And the following day, the last day of Rougham Sunflowers this year, join artist Sarah Day @_day_design_ for a relaxed afternoon of painting in the sunflower field. No experience needed.
🎨 Canvas Club: Paint Your Own Sunflower
Sunday 16th August, 2–5pm.
No experience needed. Your ticket includes everything you need – canvas, paints, brushes, as well as a cocktail or mocktail and a couple of sunflowers to take home.
Ticket numbers are limited for both events. Book your tickets now from our website – link in profile. All the details on our website.
Come and send the sunflowers off with a flourish!
The sunflower field is open as usual, every day 9am-5pm until 16th August.
Pics from the RunVibes event by @noelleescreative
#roughamsunflowers #sunflowersundowner #suffolksummer #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
The Rougham Sunflowers are entering their last week and we’re sending them off in style. 🌻
Next weekend we have two very special finale events in the field and whether you fancy a paintbrush in your hand or a drink at sunset, there’s something for you.
☀️Sunflower Sundowner: Saturday 15th August, 6pm–9pm
An evening at the sunflowers with summer tunes, a BBQ, drinks and the sun setting over the field. Entry is free, just book your BBQ tickets if you’d like to be cooked for, or bring your own picnic.
Adult BBQ ticket £15, Child £6.50
🎨 Paint Your Own Sunflower: Sunday 16th August, 2pm–5pm
A guided painting workshop with artist Sarah Day @_day_design_ happening right here at the sunflowers.
No experience needed, just come and enjoy, and be impressed with what you create.
Ticket includes all materials, a cocktail or mocktail and 1–2 sunflowers to take home.
£45 per person, ages 16+.
Sunday 16th is the last day of the Rougham Sunflowers for 2026.
The sunflower field is open as usual every day 9am – 5pm until then, with 2 SEN-friendly hours on Tuesday and Thursday. So whether you come for one event or both, or just to wander through the flowers at another time, we’d love to see you.
🔗 Book tickets and find all the details on our website – link in profile.
#roughamestate #suffolksummer #sunflowersundowner #burystedmunds #suffolkdaysout
The sunflowers are looking fabulous! Now is the time to come and visit because the sunflower field is only open for 1 more week. The last day will be on Sunday 16th August.
But before the sunflowers close, why not come to these two summer events:
How about an evening in the sunflowers? Just before the sunflowers close, we’ll be opening the field for a Sunflower Sundowner on Saturday 15th August. Come and enjoy the evening light.
The field will reopen from 6pm until 9pm (last entry at 8:30pm) for you to wander through the flowers and enjoy a summer’s evening with some easy summer tunes, a BBQ, drinks, snacks, all in the glorious Suffolk countryside.
BBQ tickets are limited so book quickly. You are also welcome to bring your own picnic.
Entry is free as always. You only need to book your BBQ tickets.
Enjoy the festival vibe with face painting and a glitter bar.
You are welcome to pick and buy sunflowers.
Dogs are welcome as always in the grassy area on a short lead and in the dog path but not in the main maze.
All the information from our website – link in profile.
And on Sunday 16th, find your inner Van Gogh and come to the sunflower field to paint your own sunflower.
From 2pm to 5pm you can join the Canvas Club led by Sarah of @_day_design_ to be guided through the process. No previous art experience necessary.
Ticket price includes all the artist equipment needed, a cocktail or mocktail and 1 or 2 sunflowers that you can take home with you as well as your finished artwork.
All the info from our website – use the link in our profile. Ticket numbers limited.
These are the last days of the Rougham Sunflowers 2026 – come and enjoy them while they are still here!
These pictures were all taken on Friday 7th August.
We look forward to seeing you soon.
#burystedmunds #suffolksummer #roughamestate
Looking for a reason to get outdoors next week?
Join us on Monday 17 August for Ramble and Roots, our free monthly guided walk around the beautiful Rougham Estate.
Whether you’re looking to meet new people, enjoy some fresh air or simply take a break from the everyday, everyone is welcome.
Our relaxed 45-minute walk starts at 10am from Blackthorpe Barn before returning to Roots Café, where you’re invited to stay for a coffee, breakfast or lunch and continue the conversation.
The walk is free to join, but please book your free place in advance so we know you’re coming. You can do this via our website.
We look forward to seeing you there!
#blackthorpebarn #roughamestate #rambleandroots
And the winner is… the photo by Howard King of rye on Rougham Estate 🎉
Well done! What a wonderful picture of the Estate.
The Through Your Lens competition has been the last part of Rougham Estate In Bloom which started way back in May and celebrated the beauty of all parts of the Estate.
Thank you to everyone who entered the photography competition and a special congratulations to those who made it to the finalist stage. All your photos were amazing!
Thanks also go to everyone who took the time to vote. It was your votes, on Instagram, Facebook and in-person at Blackthorpe Barn, that determined who the final winner was.
@howardking2468 well done again, and we will be in touch about your gift voucher prize!
#photographycompetition #roughamestateinbloom #suffolkcountryside
With the warmer weather encouraging more visitors to the Estate to enjoy the outdoors, including the sunflowers, we wanted to drop a gentle reminder that the grounds are extra dry, making the risk of fire exceptionally high.
To help us protect the Estate, wildlife, and each other, please be extra cautious with:
Cigarettes: please dispose of your cigarettes safely in a bin and ensure that they are completely out.
Glass items and rubbish: dispose of waste properly, especially glass, which can focus direct sunlight and ignite dry grass.
Parking: Try not to park on areas of long, dry grass, as hot exhaust pipes can easily spark a fire.
Please report any issues or fire straight away.
In the meantime we look forward to welcoming you to the Estate.
Check out our brunch special starting from today…
A zesty and filling dish of a hash brown topped with salmon mousse, poached egg, chopped chives, chilli flakes and drizzled with lemon and dill oil.
Great for al fresco dining in our courtyard or the sunken garden ☺️☀️
Available this week only so don’t miss out!
#brunchspecial #roughamestate
Tag us @RoughamEstate
