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
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.
Find out more and buy Rougham Estate gift vouchers by clicking here. (Opens in new tab)
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.
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.
For groups of over 10 people, we will ask you to pre-order, to help the kitchen.
Unfortunately we can’t take same-day bookings.
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.
Gift Vouchers for the café and shop
Treat someone special to a memorable visit to Rougham Estate with a gift voucher for both Roots Café and the Shop. Whether it’s coffee and a tasty brunch at Roots Café, a unique find from the Garden Room Shop, something beautiful for Christmas (from 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
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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.
Yes we do! Gift vouchers are available to buy from £25 upwards and can be used in Roots Café, the Garden Room 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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Happy Suffolk Day!
Today is a reminder of what beauty we have on our doorstep here at Rougham but also across the county.
If you haven’t visited us before why not soak up some of the countryside on a walk, picnic or just relaxing outside with a refreshment?
#SuffolkDay #SuffolkDay #ExploreSuffolk #LoveWhereYouLive #RoughamEstate
Happy Suffolk Day!
Today is a reminder of what beauty we have on our doorstep here at Rougham but also across the county.
If you haven’t visited us before why not soak up some of the countryside on a walk, picnic or just relaxing outside with a refreshment?
#SuffolkDay #SuffolkDay #ExploreSuffolk #LoveWhereYouLive #RoughamEstate
Got littluns?
Then Roots Cafe needs to be on your destination list this summer.
From sandpits to walks – and with plenty of space to play and explore in nature, your visit can be nicely finished off with a dish perfect for the kids, from our new children’s menu. 🍉🍦🥄
#LittleMenu #KidsMenu #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate #FamilyTime #Sandpit #Walks #Explore
Got littluns?
Then Roots Cafe needs to be on your destination list this summer.
From sandpits to walks – and with plenty of space to play and explore in nature, your visit can be nicely finished off with a dish perfect for the kids, from our new children’s menu. 🍉🍦🥄
#LittleMenu #KidsMenu #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate #FamilyTime #Sandpit #Walks #Explore
What a glorious county we live in!
On the estate we have a cracking crop of wheat with a beautiful back drop of blue sky, hedgerows buzzing and a margin full of Ox-eye daisies.
This is farming and nature working in harmony!
#RoughamEstate #NatureLovers #BritishFarming #SustainableFarming #SuffolkCountryside #NaturalBeauty #BritishSummer
What a glorious county we live in!
On the estate we have a cracking crop of wheat with a beautiful back drop of blue sky, hedgerows buzzing and a margin full of Ox-eye daisies.
This is farming and nature working in harmony!
#RoughamEstate #NatureLovers #BritishFarming #SustainableFarming #SuffolkCountryside #NaturalBeauty #BritishSummer
Today is International picnic day…
And the sun is shining so why don’t you pop by to Roots Cafe and grab a takeaway?
With fabulous walks available around the estate, why not make it the most of the opportunity while you can. With blankets and picnic hampers also available in the shop you can make it extra special!
#InternationalPicnicDay #GrabATakeaway #GoodLiving #SuffolkCountryside #Picnic #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate
Today is International picnic day…
And the sun is shining so why don’t you pop by to Roots Cafe and grab a takeaway?
With fabulous walks available around the estate, why not make it the most of the opportunity while you can. With blankets and picnic hampers also available in the shop you can make it extra special!
#InternationalPicnicDay #GrabATakeaway #GoodLiving #SuffolkCountryside #Picnic #RootsCafé #RoughamEstate
Have you had a look at our outdoor living furniture and accessories? This bistro set makes a lovely addition to your garden. With the splash of colour and a suitable size for most spaces. Grab it before it’s gone.
#BistroSet #OutdoorLiving #RoughamEstate #GardenRoomShop #GardenRoom #AlfrescoDining #DontMissOut #summervibes☀️
Have you had a look at our outdoor living furniture and accessories? This bistro set makes a lovely addition to your garden. With the splash of colour and a suitable size for most spaces. Grab it before it’s gone.
#BistroSet #OutdoorLiving #RoughamEstate #GardenRoomShop #GardenRoom #AlfrescoDining #DontMissOut #summervibes☀️
An afternoon well spent…
Ady, George and Suzy were delighted to be invited to the beautiful Somerleyton Hall to raise a glass to 25 years of @suffolkmag. It was a lovely celebration filled with Prosecco, canapés, and kind words shared.
They wandered through Lord Somerleyton’s breathtaking gardens, where the roses were bursting into bloom and the magnificent Tulip Tree stood proud in flower. A magical setting and a memorable day — Suffolk, you do it so well. 🌸🍾🌳
#SuffolkMagazine #SomerleytonHall #GardenWanderings #RosesInBloom #TulipTreeMagic #CountryLife #CharmingDays #SuffolkStyle
An afternoon well spent…
Ady, George and Suzy were delighted to be invited to the beautiful Somerleyton Hall to raise a glass to 25 years of @suffolkmag. It was a lovely celebration filled with Prosecco, canapés, and kind words shared.
They wandered through Lord Somerleyton’s breathtaking gardens, where the roses were bursting into bloom and the magnificent Tulip Tree stood proud in flower. A magical setting and a memorable day — Suffolk, you do it so well. 🌸🍾🌳
#SuffolkMagazine #SomerleytonHall #GardenWanderings #RosesInBloom #TulipTreeMagic #CountryLife #CharmingDays #SuffolkStyle
Happy Father’s Day!
To celebrate why don’t you pop to Roots Cafe where we have a special offer on 2 for £7 on @humberdoucybrew beer and a steak and egg special.
Tie it in with a lovely walk as the sun is shining.
#fathersday #rootscafe #specialoffer #special #Roughamestate
Happy Father’s Day!
To celebrate why don’t you pop to Roots Cafe where we have a special offer on 2 for £7 on @humberdoucybrew beer and a steak and egg special.
Tie it in with a lovely walk as the sun is shining.
#fathersday #rootscafe #specialoffer #special #Roughamestate
Meet Our Planting Heroines: Nicola and Lucy
Nicola and Lucy are the green-fingered force behind the planting of the Sunken Garden at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate — a hidden pocket of peace, beauty, and resilience.
The garden’s design and layout were created by the Rougham Estate team, transforming what was once a dried-up pond and unofficial dumping ground into a thoughtfully structured space. Lucy and Nicola then stepped in with their planting expertise to bring it to life.
Lucy, with over 20 years in horticulture, brings a deep-rooted passion for plants and the natural world. Nicola, equally devoted to the outdoors, has spent the last decade working with landscapes and learning from nature’s rhythms.
Together, they created the planting plan in early spring 2024 — a labour of love, crafted through one of the wettest winters and springs on record. They were met with compacted ground, poor soil, relentless sun in summer, and waterlogged patches in winter — a real test of gardener’s grit.
With a “right plant, right place” approach, Lucy and Nicola chose hardy perennials, grasses, and bulbs to suit the challenging conditions, support wildlife, and ensure seasonal interest. Over a thousand plants and just as many bulbs later, the garden is now in its second year — thriving, buzzing with life, and truly coming into its own.
A wild triumph. A gentle wonder. A garden with heart, history — and deep roots in teamwork.
#GardenHeroes #Teamwork #Horticulture #NatureLovers #GardeningJourney #SustainableGardening #WildlifeGarden #PlantingPassion
Meet Our Planting Heroines: Nicola and Lucy
Nicola and Lucy are the green-fingered force behind the planting of the Sunken Garden at Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate — a hidden pocket of peace, beauty, and resilience.
The garden’s design and layout were created by the Rougham Estate team, transforming what was once a dried-up pond and unofficial dumping ground into a thoughtfully structured space. Lucy and Nicola then stepped in with their planting expertise to bring it to life.
Lucy, with over 20 years in horticulture, brings a deep-rooted passion for plants and the natural world. Nicola, equally devoted to the outdoors, has spent the last decade working with landscapes and learning from nature’s rhythms.
Together, they created the planting plan in early spring 2024 — a labour of love, crafted through one of the wettest winters and springs on record. They were met with compacted ground, poor soil, relentless sun in summer, and waterlogged patches in winter — a real test of gardener’s grit.
With a “right plant, right place” approach, Lucy and Nicola chose hardy perennials, grasses, and bulbs to suit the challenging conditions, support wildlife, and ensure seasonal interest. Over a thousand plants and just as many bulbs later, the garden is now in its second year — thriving, buzzing with life, and truly coming into its own.
A wild triumph. A gentle wonder. A garden with heart, history — and deep roots in teamwork.
#GardenHeroes #Teamwork #Horticulture #NatureLovers #GardeningJourney #SustainableGardening #WildlifeGarden #PlantingPassion
Tag us @RoughamEstate
