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 – 17:00
- From 21 December 09:00 – 16:00
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.
Closed on 24th, 25th and 26th December.
Email rootscafe@roughamestate.com and please include a number we can call you on.
Reservations are only confirmed when you receive a confirmation call/email from us.
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the café with a paws-on-the-floor policy.
Please do keep your dog under control and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block passageways.
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.
Find out more and buy Rougham Estate gift vouchers by clicking here. (Opens in new tab)
How it Works
01
First Come, First Served
We operate on a first come, first served basis.
Reservations are taken for groups of 8 or more only.
02
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.
03
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.
04
Well-behaved Dogs Welcome
Well-behaved dogs are welcome in the café with a paws-on-the-floor policy; they will be welcomed with their own bowl of water.
- Please keep your dog under control and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block passageways.
05
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 stock gluten-free bread and serve some gluten-free dishes. Please ask if you have any queries when ordering.
- For details of allergens in each dish, please see the downloadable pdf menus below
06
Parking
There is plenty of free parking available, including accessible parking.
07
Christmas Opening and Bookings
The café is open every day including Bank Holidays, except for 24th, 25th and 26th December, when we are closed.
We are open on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
To book for groups of 8 or more email rootscafe@roughamestate.com
Bookings are only confirmed when you hear back from us.
Reservations for groups of 8 or more
Larger groups can book a table in advance at Roots Café:
- Reservations for groups of 8 or more only
- Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings
- Please include a mobile number; reservations are only confirmed when you receive a call/email from us
- For groups of 10 or more, we will ask you to pre-order to help the kitchen
- No bookings are taken for bank holiday weekends, Easter weekend, Mother’s or Father’s Days and during the Christmas Festival (specific 2026 dates to be confirmed; mid-October to mid-December).
To reserve a table, email rootscafe@roughamestate.com and please include a number we can call you on.
If you know that you no longer require your reservation or if your party is significantly different in size to what was booked, please let us know as soon possible.
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.
At Christmas
During the festive season, Roots Café takes on a magical glow, with a seasonal menu, warming drinks and homemade Christmas bakes served in a cosy, decorated setting. Just the place to take a break from shopping for decorations in the Shop, for hand-crafted gifts at the Arts & Crafts Fair and for finding your perfect Christmas tree!
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.
Rougham Estate Gift Vouchers
Treat someone special to a memorable visit to Rougham Estate with a gift voucher that can be used in both Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Shop.
Whether it’s coffee and a tasty brunch at Roots Café, a unique find from the Garden and Lifestyle Shop, something beautiful for Christmas (shop open mid-October to December, including Christmas trees) or a luxury treat from the Pantry Shop, your gift voucher is valid for 1 year from the time of purchase and can be used over multiple visits.
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.
The Barn is down the avenue, on the right.
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, well-behaved dogs are welcome in Roots Café, with paws on the floor.
- Please keep your dog under control at all times and ensure that your dog does not disturb other people’s enjoyment of the premises or block any passageways.
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.
Yes we do! Gift vouchers are available to buy from £25 upwards and can be used in Roots Café, the Garden and Lifestyle Shop, the Christmas Shop, in Roots Pantry Shop and towards buying Rougham Estate Christmas trees.
The gift vouchers last for 1 year from the date of purchase and can be used over multiple visits. They make great gifts, with a wide range of items to spend them on.
You can find out more and buy Rougham Estate gift vouchers by clicking here (opens in new tab).
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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Looking for stocking fillers or goodies for hampers? Look no further!
Our Pantry Shop at Rougham Estate is brimming with quality gifts and delicious treats perfect for filling up those stockings or adding special touches to your festive hampers.
With just a week until Christmas Eve, don’t get caught short! From delightful gift vouchers to unique artisanal items, we’ve got something for everyone.
Visit us today to discover the perfect festive treats!
#christmas #hamper #gifts #roughsmestate #magicalmemories
Have you given any thought to your table arrangements on Christmas Day?
You can shop this gorgeous woodland look in the @roughamestateshop where all the items featured are from the shop. Plus many more!
For more inspirational ideas, don’t forget to follow the Rougham Estate shop page.
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #christmasshopping #magicalmemories
We’re nearly there!
With days to go, we love this little tip on how to use a napkin for a nice touch on Christmas Day. It’s simple and quick!
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #crafty #toptips
Don’t miss it – it’s the LAST day for Arts&Crafts at Rougham Estate 2025, on Sunday 14th December.
Doors are open from 10-4.
Come along to discover a stunning range of around 50 designer-makers selling their own creations, where each piece would make a wonderful and unique gift!
Finish off your Christmas shopping here, with the Rougham Estate Christmas Shop next door and Christmas Trees and Roots Café, why not make a day of it!
The selection of makers shown here are:
@ceramicsbuyanja @beadedgarden @birdfeedertree @merrywoodhandmade @j.w.h.mccaughan @makeroftinyglassstuff @jasminrowlandson @tuliphousenorfolk JanetPowell @ericajustartist @peter.dibble.basketmaker @clairepirieceramics @katiemillardartist @deeayles @mariannelakerdesigns @hedkasedesigns @thepinkhareuk @triciafrancispots @artistcaz @jewellerybyjulie
Day tickets £2.50 online (£3 on the door)
Children 16 and under: free
Assistance dogs only
Just east of Bury St Edmunds Suffolk, Junction 45, A14
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #artisanmarket #meetthemaker #suffolkchristmas #suffolkevent #suffolkart
Come and get your festive fix at Rougham Estate this weekend. We’ve got everything you need here, from Christmas trees to a huge range of gifts and decorations galore!
🌲Freshly-cut Christmas Trees, grown right here on our Estate, for sale daily 9:30-5 (4 on Sundays)
Nordmann Fir and Spruce trees of varying heights available; potted trees up to about 1m in the courtyard.
No booking needed, free entry.
🛍️The wonderful Christmas Shop is just next door, full of decorations in every style and colour; open daily 9:30-5 (4 on Sundays)
Freshly-made wreaths available.
No booking needed, free entry.
🎁For quality, hand-crafted gifts don’t miss this last weekend of the impressive Arts&Crafts Fair, where each piece is made by the designer-maker selling it. Artisans from around the country are to be found in the medieval thatched barn, with gifts such as jewellery, leather goods, clothing, ceramics, glassware, food and much more.
Open Saturday and Sunday (13th & 14th), 10-4, entry £3 on the door / £2.50 online, free for 16s and under.
🍽️Roots Café open daily 9-5 (4 on Sundays) for delicious sit-down meals and tasty snacks.
☕️Roots&Co Kiosk is serving warming drinks and snacks in the courtyard.
🅿️Plenty of free parking, kindly organised by @burybachchoir this weekend, and everything within easy walking distance in our lovely rural setting.
🚗Easy access: we’re just 2 minutes from junction 45 of the A14, east of Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk.
🐕 Dogs welcome everywhere outside and in the café with paws on the floor. Dogs must be carried in the shop and only assistance dogs are allowed in the Crafts event due to the fragile nature of many items.
🎅You’ll find everything you need to make your Christmas merry here – come and enjoy the magic of Christmas in the glorious Suffolk countryside.
We’re open daily until 23rd December (except the Arts&Crafts Fair which finishes on 14 December)
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #suffolkchristmas #suffolkchristmastrees #christmasmarket #christmasshopping #christmasgifts
It’s the last Crafts weekend this weekend; the last chance to see these fine artisans together in the magical thatched Blackthorpe Barn for 2025.
Whether you are looking for gifts for loved ones or something to give yourself, you’ll find unique, quality hand-crafted pieces here, sold directly by the designer-makers.
Makers showcased here, some in the process of making their work:
@tiltshiftleatherworks IslandKnitwear @wood_row_chocolate @carola_sme @hazelbaystore @juliahulmesculpture @woollycomforts @trucklecheese @j.w.h.mccaughan @yumyumtreefudgeltd @leatherdesigncraft @flossyfelts @marshpigcharcuterie @rhodawebbart @beeinspired_natural_skincare
For the final time, come to the Rougham Estate Christmas Arts&Crafts Market for that fabulous festive feeling!
Doors open 10am – 4pm Saturday 13th and Sunday 14th December
Day tickets £2.50 online (£3 on the door)
Children 16 and under: free
Assistance dogs only
Just east of Bury St Edmunds Suffolk, Junction 45, A14
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #suffolkevent #christmasmarket #suffolkchristmas #suffolkartsociety #suffolkartsociety #suffolkcraftsociety #artisanmade #artisanmarket
It’s the last chance to see these amazing designer-makers; this will be the last Arts&Crafts weekend at Rougham Estate for 2025.
And what a wonderful selection of makers have gathered here, with their hand-woven rugs, ceramics, glassware, soft furnishings, basketware, handmade clothing, jewellery and more. Each fabulous piece is sold by the artisan who made it.
This is the best Christmas Market to get unique and quality gifts!
Craftspeople showcased here:
@clairepirieceramics @artistcaz @tuliphousenorfolk @peter.dibble.basketmaker JanetPowell @ericajustartist @mariannelakerdesigns @merrywoodhandmade @Pauline_Manders @molten_wonky @lady.bricks.silver @the_baadninishweaver
Doors open 10am – 4pm 13th and 14th December
Day tickets £2.50 online (£3 on the door)
Children 16 and under: free
Assistance dogs only
Just east of Bury St Edmunds Suffolk, Junction 45, A14
#roughamestate #blackthorpebarn #suffolkevent #christmasmarket #suffolkchristmas #suffolkartsociety #suffolkartsociety #suffolkcraftsociety #artisanmade #artisanmarket
Struggling with gift ideas this Christmas?
If they are a fan of Rougham Estate, then why don’t you treat them to a gift voucher which can be used in Roots Café, the Pantry Shop, and the Rougham Estate Shop including buying Christmas trees (they are valid for one year).
Vouchers are available from £25 to £200 and can be spent over multiple trips.
That’s Christmas sorted! ✔️
#roughamestate #gifvoucher #christmasspend
Tag us @RoughamEstate
