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.
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
There are currently no events to show. We’re working on adding some soon.
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
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Father’s Day is fast approaching…
Struggling with what to get him? Why not pick up a gift voucher for Rougham Estate?
Can be used in the shop or Roots cafe.
Each gift voucher is valid for 12 months and can be used over multiple visits.
It’s about giving them another reason to enjoy somewhere they already love being.
#RoughamEstate #GiftVouchers #SuffolkGifts #RootsCafe BlackthorpeBarn
As part of Rougham in Bloom, Suzy has been working on a beautiful idea that brings the garden right into the heart of the home: an edible wreath made from herbs, flowers and edible plants.
Designed to be hung on a door or used as a natural table centrepiece, it’s a living arrangement that can be picked from and enjoyed over time, blending decoration with everyday use in the kitchen.
This particular wreath combines trailing sugar snap pea plants with the vibrant, peppery blooms of nasturtiums, alongside pansies and violas which bring colour and a gentle, slightly grassy sweetness.
Alongside this, there are plenty of other herbs and edible flowers you can use to create your own versions at home. Herb flowers such as chive, basil and rosemary add subtle flavour, while lavender brings a fragrant note for baking and infusions.
It’s a simple but inspiring way of thinking differently about what we grow, where beauty and flavour sit side by side, and nothing in the garden needs to go to waste.
Part of Rougham Estate in Bloom, celebrating the many ways nature finds its way into everyday life.
For the full tutorial visit our website – link in profile
As always, do check and be sure of what’s edible before using plants in food or drink.
#RoughamInBloom #RoughamEstate #EdibleGarden #GrowYourOwn #SeasonalEating GardenToTable
We’re delighted to share that owner of Rougham Estate, George Agnew has been named a finalist in the 2026 East Anglian Daily Times Business Awards.
The nomination recognises George’s contribution to business, rural enterprise and the local community, as well as the impact he continues to have across Suffolk through his work on the Estate.
You may remember that George was also honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award last year at the Bury Free Press awards. To see his continued commitment and contribution recognised once again is a wonderful achievement.
We look forward to sharing the outcome from the awards night on the 9th July.
#roughamestate #eadtbusinessawards2026 #suffolkbusinessperson
Ramble & Roots reminder!
Get some fresh air and meet new people on our Ramble & Roots walk on Monday 15 June at 10am, starting at Blackthorpe Barn.
It’s free to attend a relaxed and includes a guided route around the Estate and will last approximately 45 minutes.
At the end you can continue to chat over a cuppa that you can purchase in Roots Cafe. You can even treat yourself to a cake or brunch. More information is on our website.
To take part please register your interest by emailing [email protected]
#rambleandroots #communitywalks #roughamestate
We have a real treat this week. Not one, but two specials and a drinks special!
We have:
Brunch – roasted new potatoes, garlic peppers and onions coated in bacon jam and topped with halloumi.
Salad – dressed spinach leaves cucumber and tomatoes topped with red beetroot, golden beetroot, burrata and hot honey.
And for our drinks we have blueberry iced matcha with vanilla cold foam.
Only available this week 🍹So don’t miss out!
#foodspecial #Roughamestate #icedcoffee
It gives us great joy to share that Rougham Primary School has won large gold in the Suffolk Schools Show Garden Competition at last week’s Suffolk Show!
This fantastic achievement showcases the hard work and dedication of the students and their gardening club. We’ve loved supporting their journey over the years with compost, tools and wheelbarrows, and it’s so rewarding to see their efforts bloom!
A big shout-out to the talented young gardeners who made this possible. Your creativity and passion for gardening truly shine!
Congratulations, Rougham Primary! Here’s to many more gardening adventures ahead.
#RoughamEstate #RoughamPrimary #SuffolkShow #CommunitySupport
Photo credit to Suffolk Show.
Farming is a major part of life at the Estate.
While many envisage food crops, we also cultivate wildflower meadows, great for bees and biodiversity and excellent at returning nutrients to the soil.
As part of Rougham Estate in Bloom, we want to acknowledge this often-overlooked side of the farm.
#roughamestate #roughamestateinbloom #farmlife
@watsons_plants are back today and tomorrow.
You’ll find a beautiful range of garden plants to buy and also some advice from Chris himself on how to make your garden wonderful this summer!
#popupplantstall #roughamestate #gardenlover
Tag us @RoughamEstate
