ROOTS CAFÉ
Nestled within the Estate’s picturesque surroundings, this comfortable café brings Suffolk’s finest to your table with a menu of locally-sourced dishes and refreshments.
TODAY’S OPENING TIMES
- Roots Café 09:00 – 16:00
- On Easter Sunday open 8am-5pm
Address
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham,
Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk
SatNav: IP30 9HZ
What3Words: ///newly.sofas.debating
ABOUT ROOTS CAFÉ
Welcome to our café, Roots, nestled in the heart of the Blackthorpe Barn complex on Rougham Estate.
With a storied history spanning decades, this location is a convenient out-of-town chill-out spot to meet up, a cosy gathering place for the community, now open throughout the year. For breakfast, lunch, coffee and cake, we hope Roots will become your go-to destination. Everyone is welcome: walkers, cyclists, families and dogs.
Open every day, including Bank Holidays
Reservations for groups of 8 or more only
Blackthorpe Barn is a step-free location with dedicated accessible parking near the entrance and two accessible toilets, one of which is in the cafe, and one in the courtyard.
No reservations over Easter
Please note that we are not taking any reservations for Roots Café over the Easter weekend, from Friday 18th April through until the end of Monday 21st. We will start taking bookings again from Tuesday 22nd.
Important Info
First come, First served
We operate on a first come, first served basis and only take reservations for groups of 8 or more.
* 18-21 April: We are not taking any group bookings over the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
Children
Come and visit as a family; there is a section on the menu specifically for children. Highchairs are available as well as a baby-changing unit.
Take-Away Available
Teas, coffees and cakes are available to take with you – perfect when taking the dog for a walk. Order at the front counter.
Dogs Welcome
Dogs are welcome in the café with a paws-on-the-floor policy and they will be welcomed with their own bowl of water.
Dietary Requirements
Vegans and vegetarians are catered for, and, whilst we do our utmost to accommodate dietary and allergy requirements, gluten, nuts and animal products are used in the kitchen.
We do stock gluten-free bread and serve some gluten-free dishes. Please ask if you have any queries when ordering.
Parking
There is plenty of free parking available, including accessible parking.
Reservations
Table reservations are only taken for groups of 8 or more. Please email rootscafe@roughamestate.com to make your booking. Your reservation is only confirmed once you receive a confirmation email.
Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings.
* 18-21 April: We are not taking any group bookings over the Easter weekend from Good Friday to Easter Monday.
Download our Menus
Allergen Information
Please inform our waiting staff of any food allergies before ordering.
Our menu gives general guidance about ingredients which may affect those with food intolerance and allergies.
Please note, however, that our kitchen handles many types of food and drink each day and although we do our very best to avoid cross-contamination, we cannot guarantee this does not happen. Ultimately, the final choice about what to eat rests with you.
USING LOCALLY-SOURCED PRODUCE
The ambiance of Roots Café beautifully blends the rich history of Rougham Estate with a touch of modern, quirky elegance. Our eclectic decor echoes local stories, with pieces reflecting a unique chapter of the Estate’s tale.
But the attraction is not just visual; we bring Suffolk’s finest to your table with a menu of locally-sourced dishes and refreshments, showcasing the best seasonal ingredients as far as possible. Here’s a map of our lovely suppliers, with many products also available in the Roots Pantry Shop.
Food locality map
Roots Pantry Shop
A curated selection of locally-sourced food and drink, available to buy at the café, makes it easy for you to take the essence of Suffolk home with you.
From homemade preserves and honeys that capture the flavours of the region to handcrafted beers, locally-made cookies, doggie treats and much more, this little Pantry Shop provides a delicious touch of indulgence.
Discover our local honey
Gently made by bees gathering pollen from the lush meadows and vibrant blossoms of Rougham Estate, each jar encapsulates the harmony of the surrounding landscape.
Locally-brewed beer and distilled spirits
Buying local produce reduces the carbon-footprint, and these award-winning beers, ales and spirits are made right here in Suffolk.
Chocolates and sweets
If you’re looking for a little indulgence to take with you, we have chocolates, sweets, cookies and much more.
GALLERY
Comments
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.
Keep your eyes peeled
Throughout the café there are surprises to be found, from wooden crows in the rafters to doves on the dovecote (yes, you can take your tea in the dovecote) to old photographs of Rougham Estate and other wonderful and poignant items. Many are old and from the Estate and others have been handcrafted especially for Roots Café.
Can you guess which is which? Can you work out how certain items relate to the Estate? You might like to look at the history of the Estate to get some clues. Enjoy looking around and seeing what you can spot – it’s great for a game of I-spy! Why not tag us in your photos (@roughamestate) when you find them – we love to see your pictures.
Questions?
Yes, dogs are welcome in Roots Café, with paws on the floor.
Yes, wheelchairs are welcome in Roots Café as well as everywhere else at Blackthorpe Barn. There is plenty of accessible parking near the entrance, as well as accessible toilets.
Have a look at the Ground Plan to see their locations
The tables are assigned on a first come, first served basis. If you are a group of 8 or more people, we can reserve a table for you. Please email rootscafe@roughamestate.com to make your booking. Your reservation is only confirmed once you receive a confirmation email.
Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings.
Yes, we accept both cards and cash at Roots.
Yes, we have the menus listed on this page.
We try to offer a range of dishes and foods that cover various dietary requirements including some dairy-free, gluten-free and nut-free items. Vegans and vegetarians are catered for, and, whilst we do our utmost to accommodate dietary and allergy requirements, gluten, nuts and animal products are used in the kitchen.
If you have any allergies or dietary restrictions, please let us know before ordering so we can do our best to accommodate you.
We’re more than happy to answer any questions about our ingredients.
Yes, we have highchairs at Roots and children have their own menu too. You can find a baby-changing unit in café toilets.
These lovely pictures are of Rougham Estate in days gone by and wonderfully, some of the people pictured have even been to visit Roots since it opened. Rougham Estate has a very interesting history which you can read about on the Timeline page.
But of course!
The Potting Shed, Maintenance Shed and Dovecote are a real treat to sit in and enjoy your lunch or a spot of coffee and cake. It’s almost like taking a little holiday – you feel like you have been transported somewhere else.
Many of the items in or on the sheds have something to do with the history of Rougham Estate, such as the WWII plane over the dovecote which links directly to the bombing of Rougham Hall in 1940. You can read more about this in the history timeline.
While you’re here…
… why not enjoy one of the lovely walks around Rougham Estate? We have over 20 kilometres of public rights of way and an additional 5.5 kilometres of permissive rights of way granted by the Estate for further enjoyment, as well as some of our favourite routes mapped out for you. You can always start your walk with a coffee and end with a cake!
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🌿✨ Get creative at Rougham Estate! ✨🌿
Looking for a unique experience this spring? You’ll find a selection of stunning craft workshops here at Blackthorpe Barn, designed to inspire your inner artist:
🌿 Weave your very own Willow Boat Tray with @the__coddiwomplers – perfect for your home or as a thoughtful handmade gift
🌈 Craft a vibrant Stained Glass Panel with @stained_glass_studio – add a pop of colour and beauty to your space
🌸 Create a gorgeous Dried Flower Wreath with @doesntcosttheearth – capturing nature’s beauty to treasure all year round
Bring along friends, family or simply enjoy a peaceful, creative escape on your own. No experience required—just come and discover a new passion with the help of our friendly, expert tutors.
Spaces are filling fast, so secure your place today!
📍 Rougham Estate, just off Junction 45 of the A14, near Bury St. Edmunds
👉 DM for a link or visit our website to book now
#RoughamEstate #CraftWorkshops #CreativeEscape #WillowWeaving #StainedGlassArt #DriedFlowerWreath #BuryStEdmunds #SuffolkEvents #MakeSomethingBeautiful
🌿✨ Get creative at Rougham Estate! ✨🌿
Looking for a unique experience this spring? You’ll find a selection of stunning craft workshops here at Blackthorpe Barn, designed to inspire your inner artist:
🌿 Weave your very own Willow Boat Tray with @the__coddiwomplers – perfect for your home or as a thoughtful handmade gift
🌈 Craft a vibrant Stained Glass Panel with @stained_glass_studio – add a pop of colour and beauty to your space
🌸 Create a gorgeous Dried Flower Wreath with @doesntcosttheearth – capturing nature’s beauty to treasure all year round
Bring along friends, family or simply enjoy a peaceful, creative escape on your own. No experience required—just come and discover a new passion with the help of our friendly, expert tutors.
Spaces are filling fast, so secure your place today!
📍 Rougham Estate, just off Junction 45 of the A14, near Bury St. Edmunds
👉 DM for a link or visit our website to book now
#RoughamEstate #CraftWorkshops #CreativeEscape #WillowWeaving #StainedGlassArt #DriedFlowerWreath #BuryStEdmunds #SuffolkEvents #MakeSomethingBeautiful
Easter is just around the corner, and we have a wonderful selection of items to help you create a festive atmosphere in your home – whether you have children or not. From beautiful decorations to charming gifts, we’ve got everything you need to make your home shine this Easter. #EasterShopping #RoughamEstate #HomeDecor #EasterDecor #SpringTime #ShopLocal #EasterGifts
Easter is just around the corner, and we have a wonderful selection of items to help you create a festive atmosphere in your home – whether you have children or not. From beautiful decorations to charming gifts, we’ve got everything you need to make your home shine this Easter. #EasterShopping #RoughamEstate #HomeDecor #EasterDecor #SpringTime #ShopLocal #EasterGifts
Today is National Gardening Day!
Our Garden Room Shop is packed with tools, gardening books and more so you can make the most of this day.
While you’re here, why don’t you enjoy our sunken garden which has had lots of gardening TLC? Or enjoy a walk?
#RoughamEstate #SunkenGarden #SpringPlants #Peace #BlackthorpeBarn #NationalGardeningDay #gardenlovers💚 #gardenloversclub #planting #gardening
Today is National Gardening Day!
Our Garden Room Shop is packed with tools, gardening books and more so you can make the most of this day.
While you’re here, why don’t you enjoy our sunken garden which has had lots of gardening TLC? Or enjoy a walk?
#RoughamEstate #SunkenGarden #SpringPlants #Peace #BlackthorpeBarn #NationalGardeningDay #gardenlovers💚 #gardenloversclub #planting #gardening
We will be open over the Easter weekend and look forward to seeing you here! #roughamestate #rootscafe #blackthorpebarn #EasterWeekend #Easter #FamilyTime #Fun
We will be open over the Easter weekend and look forward to seeing you here! #roughamestate #rootscafe #blackthorpebarn #EasterWeekend #Easter #FamilyTime #Fun
Have you tried some of our new dishes yet?
Our spring/summer menu has been out nearly two weeks and is proving to be big hit. So if you haven’t been in to try it out yet, why not this weekend?
We have vegan and vegetarian options available too.
The dishes are as tasty as they look!
We’re open 9-4pm daily and Easter weekend.
#NewMenu #RootsCafé #Brunch #Lunch #DeliciousFood #FreshFood #HealthyFood #Vegan #Vegetarian
Have you tried some of our new dishes yet?
Our spring/summer menu has been out nearly two weeks and is proving to be big hit. So if you haven’t been in to try it out yet, why not this weekend?
We have vegan and vegetarian options available too.
The dishes are as tasty as they look!
We’re open 9-4pm daily and Easter weekend.
#NewMenu #RootsCafé #Brunch #Lunch #DeliciousFood #FreshFood #HealthyFood #Vegan #Vegetarian
Enjoy the beauty of the Suffolk countryside and our sunken garden here at Rougham Estate.
With the sun shining at last, and the warmer weather allowing us to be outside without coats, there is no better way to spend time with the family than with nature and a beautiful cup of coffee from Roots Cafe.
Our sunken garden is really taking hold now – it’s been a year since it was planted and developed. It’s simply a tranquil and beautiful space.
Our gardener Lucy Baker captured these shots after tending to the area earlier this week ❤️
We hope to see you soon.
#SunkenGarden #RoughamEstate #SuffolkCountryside #Peace #Tranquility #AlfrescoDining #SpringPlants #SpringTime
Enjoy the beauty of the Suffolk countryside and our sunken garden here at Rougham Estate.
With the sun shining at last, and the warmer weather allowing us to be outside without coats, there is no better way to spend time with the family than with nature and a beautiful cup of coffee from Roots Cafe.
Our sunken garden is really taking hold now – it’s been a year since it was planted and developed. It’s simply a tranquil and beautiful space.
Our gardener Lucy Baker captured these shots after tending to the area earlier this week ❤️
We hope to see you soon.
#SunkenGarden #RoughamEstate #SuffolkCountryside #Peace #Tranquility #AlfrescoDining #SpringPlants #SpringTime
Calling all tractor lovers! 🚜
This Easter Sunday, we will host around 200 stunning vintage tractors for the 36th National Vintage Tractor Run.
These beautifully restored machines will gather from about 8:00am before setting off at around 9:30am on a nostalgic journey through the Suffolk countryside, returning mid-afternoon for one last look before they go.
It’s completely free to visit, with plenty of parking available. Roots Café will be open from 8am to 5pm, and the Garden Room Shop from 10am to 4pm. Estate walks are open too – perfect for a wander while you’re here.
More detailed timing and the full route can be found on our website.
The event is raising money for SARS999 and St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds, so please donate if you can.
A great day out with history, engines and a lovely community feel – we’d love to see you here.
#VintageTractors #NationalVintageTractorRun #RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn
#EasterInSuffolk #FamilyDayOut #TractorRun2025 #SuffolkEvents #ClassicTractors
Calling all tractor lovers! 🚜
This Easter Sunday, we will host around 200 stunning vintage tractors for the 36th National Vintage Tractor Run.
These beautifully restored machines will gather from about 8:00am before setting off at around 9:30am on a nostalgic journey through the Suffolk countryside, returning mid-afternoon for one last look before they go.
It’s completely free to visit, with plenty of parking available. Roots Café will be open from 8am to 5pm, and the Garden Room Shop from 10am to 4pm. Estate walks are open too – perfect for a wander while you’re here.
More detailed timing and the full route can be found on our website.
The event is raising money for SARS999 and St Nicholas Hospice in Bury St Edmunds, so please donate if you can.
A great day out with history, engines and a lovely community feel – we’d love to see you here.
#VintageTractors #NationalVintageTractorRun #RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn
#EasterInSuffolk #FamilyDayOut #TractorRun2025 #SuffolkEvents #ClassicTractors
Easter Sunday is just a week and a half away!
If you haven`t given it a thought yet, we`ve got an abundance of Easter goodies in shop to help you spruce up your home and create that spring vibe.
From delightful table decorations to charming Easter baskets and lovely dried spring flowers, we challenge you not to find something you’d love to buy!
#Easter #SpringDecor #EasterBaskets #HomeDecor #SpringVibes #ShopLocal #RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #TheGardenRoomShop #springeasterdecorating
Easter Sunday is just a week and a half away!
If you haven`t given it a thought yet, we`ve got an abundance of Easter goodies in shop to help you spruce up your home and create that spring vibe.
From delightful table decorations to charming Easter baskets and lovely dried spring flowers, we challenge you not to find something you’d love to buy!
#Easter #SpringDecor #EasterBaskets #HomeDecor #SpringVibes #ShopLocal #RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #TheGardenRoomShop #springeasterdecorating
Tag us @RoughamEstate
