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.
Please email rootscafe@roughamestate.com if you are visiting with a group of 8 people or more during the week.
Your booking is only confirmed when you receive an email back from us (during work hours).
Sorry, but no on-the-day bookings and no bookings at the weekend.
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.
Important Info
First come, First served
We operate on a first come, first served basis and are not taking reservations, except for bigger groups of 8 people or more.
Bookings taken for groups of 8 or more, Monday to Friday only
If you are visiting with a larger group of 8 people or more during the week, please email us on rootscafe@roughamestate.com to let us know your group size and the date and time you wish to come.
Your booking is only confirmed when you receive an email back from us (during work hours).
Sorry, but no on-the-day bookings and no bookings at the weekend.
For Christmas Bookings, please see the note below.
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.
Christmas Bookings
We are very pleased that you might consider coming to Roots for a Christmas party, but unfortunately we are not able to take bookings for parties this Christmas. For the moment, we are continuing to take bookings for groups of 8 or more during the week (Monday – Friday). Christmas Parties or larger groups at Christmas may be something we do in the future, but for this year we are sadly not able to accommodate them.
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
Disabled access available
This is a rural location and paths can be muddy
Please Note: 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?
The café mostly operates on a first come, first served basis, but if you wish to visit with a group of 8 people or more during the week (Monday to Friday), please email rootscafe@roughamestate.com to make a booking.
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
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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Starting this Saturday – the wonderful @artworkseast annual exhibition is on at Blackthorpe Barn.
With a wide range of art styles, daily opportunities to Meet-the-Artist, a Prize Draw to win your own artwork and a small shop, all with Free Entry, this is something you don’t want to miss!
This is the 24th annual exhibition of the Artworks group of contemporary East Anglian artists, and it just keeps getting better and better.
🎨Open daily 10-5 until Sunday 29th
🎨Free entrance
🎨Roots Café just nearby
🎨Plenty of free parking
🎨Just south of Junction 45 of the A14 near Bury St Edmunds
All the info from the link in our profile
#artworkseast #blackthorpebarn #suffolkart #burystedmunds #burystedmundssuffolk #artsociety #contemporaryart #suffolkartsociety #daysoutsuffolk #roughamestate #loveart #artexhibition
Starting this Saturday – the wonderful @artworkseast annual exhibition is on at Blackthorpe Barn.
With a wide range of art styles, daily opportunities to Meet-the-Artist, a Prize Draw to win your own artwork and a small shop, all with Free Entry, this is something you don’t want to miss!
This is the 24th annual exhibition of the Artworks group of contemporary East Anglian artists, and it just keeps getting better and better.
🎨Open daily 10-5 until Sunday 29th
🎨Free entrance
🎨Roots Café just nearby
🎨Plenty of free parking
🎨Just south of Junction 45 of the A14 near Bury St Edmunds
All the info from the link in our profile
#artworkseast #blackthorpebarn #suffolkart #burystedmunds #burystedmundssuffolk #artsociety #contemporaryart #suffolkartsociety #daysoutsuffolk #roughamestate #loveart #artexhibition
As we’ve all been enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, so have these calves at Home Farm on Rougham Estate. It’s been a real treat for this time of year.
Why not enjoy one of our walks around the Estate and see what you come across? It’s the perfect weather for it.
You can grab refreshments from Roots Cafe after. What’s not to love ❤️
#autumnwalks🍁 #autumnwalks #dogfriendly #autumn #autumnvibes #walks #walkswithmydog #animallovers #animalloversofinstagram
As we’ve all been enjoying the sunshine and warm weather, so have these calves at Home Farm on Rougham Estate. It’s been a real treat for this time of year.
Why not enjoy one of our walks around the Estate and see what you come across? It’s the perfect weather for it.
You can grab refreshments from Roots Cafe after. What’s not to love ❤️
#autumnwalks🍁 #autumnwalks #dogfriendly #autumn #autumnvibes #walks #walkswithmydog #animallovers #animalloversofinstagram
Wondering what to do today?
Why not treat yourself to our brunch menu, or simply grab a coffee and cake?
Plenty on the menu to choose from.
We also have a lovely selection of walks to build up your appetite. Dogs welcome too!
More info in our bio.
#blackthorpebarn #deliciousfood #fullmenu #roughamroots #alfrescobrunch #goodfood #coffee #takeaway #autumn #autumnwalks #autumnwalks🍁 #dogfriends #dogfriendly
Wondering what to do today?
Why not treat yourself to our brunch menu, or simply grab a coffee and cake?
Plenty on the menu to choose from.
We also have a lovely selection of walks to build up your appetite. Dogs welcome too!
More info in our bio.
#blackthorpebarn #deliciousfood #fullmenu #roughamroots #alfrescobrunch #goodfood #coffee #takeaway #autumn #autumnwalks #autumnwalks🍁 #dogfriends #dogfriendly
We have some delightful specials on at Roots Cafe this week.
Salad Special: Pear, Beetroot, Quinoa , Goats Cheese & Mixed Leaf Salad.
Brunch Special: Chipotle Pulled Beef, Waffle, Chimichurri & Poached Egg 😋
Don’t miss out!
#goodfood #roughamestate #RoughamEstate #alfrescobrunch #alfrescodining #blackthorpebarn #deliciousfood #DeliciousEats #fullmenu #roughamroots
We have some delightful specials on at Roots Cafe this week.
Salad Special: Pear, Beetroot, Quinoa , Goats Cheese & Mixed Leaf Salad.
Brunch Special: Chipotle Pulled Beef, Waffle, Chimichurri & Poached Egg 😋
Don’t miss out!
#goodfood #roughamestate #RoughamEstate #alfrescobrunch #alfrescodining #blackthorpebarn #deliciousfood #DeliciousEats #fullmenu #roughamroots
It looks like this week is set to bring us some warm weather 🙌☀️
Make the most of it with some outdoor dining here at Roots cafe.
You can sit back and enjoy the tranquil sound of our waterfall, or sit in our courtyard garden.
Whether on your own or dining with friends or family it’s the perfect way to enjoy the week of sunshine!
#roughamestate #alfrescobrunch #alfrescoliving #coffee #takeaway #alfrescodining #blackthorpebarn #RoughamEstate #fullmenu #deliciousfood #goodfood #DeliciousEats #tranquility
It looks like this week is set to bring us some warm weather 🙌☀️
Make the most of it with some outdoor dining here at Roots cafe.
You can sit back and enjoy the tranquil sound of our waterfall, or sit in our courtyard garden.
Whether on your own or dining with friends or family it’s the perfect way to enjoy the week of sunshine!
#roughamestate #alfrescobrunch #alfrescoliving #coffee #takeaway #alfrescodining #blackthorpebarn #RoughamEstate #fullmenu #deliciousfood #goodfood #DeliciousEats #tranquility
Our autumn stock is now in and it’s the perfect place to pick up autumnal decorations for your home. Pumpkins. Candles. Garlands and more… #gardenroomshop #roughampumpkins #roughamestate #autumnvibes #autumn #autumndecor
Our autumn stock is now in and it’s the perfect place to pick up autumnal decorations for your home. Pumpkins. Candles. Garlands and more… #gardenroomshop #roughampumpkins #roughamestate #autumnvibes #autumn #autumndecor
Soon… it will be time for the Rougham Pumpkin Patch to open again, on October 5th🎃
Who can’t wait?🙋😁
We have a bumper Pumpkin Festival planned for you this year… more on that soon.
The patch will be opening on the weekends 5/6, 12/13, 19/20 October and then daily from 26-31 October 9am-5pm.
Until then, here’s a quick reminder of Pumpkins in 2023🎃🎃
More info from the link in our profile
roughamestate.com/welcome
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #pumpkinpatch #pumpkins #lovepumpkins #burystedmunds #suffolkpumpkins #burystedmundsandbeyond #autumniscoming #pumpkinpie #halloween #octoberfest #suffolk #lovesuffolk #daysoutsuffolk
Soon… it will be time for the Rougham Pumpkin Patch to open again, on October 5th🎃
Who can’t wait?🙋😁
We have a bumper Pumpkin Festival planned for you this year… more on that soon.
The patch will be opening on the weekends 5/6, 12/13, 19/20 October and then daily from 26-31 October 9am-5pm.
Until then, here’s a quick reminder of Pumpkins in 2023🎃🎃
More info from the link in our profile
roughamestate.com/welcome
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #pumpkinpatch #pumpkins #lovepumpkins #burystedmunds #suffolkpumpkins #burystedmundsandbeyond #autumniscoming #pumpkinpie #halloween #octoberfest #suffolk #lovesuffolk #daysoutsuffolk
Have a coffee in or take a coffee out…
Eat in or eat out… the weather is still hanging on in there for some alfresco dining.
Perfect for a sunny day like today. ☀️🌤️
#alfresco #alfrescodining #alfrescoliving #alfrescolunch #alfrescobrunch #takeaway #coffee #takeawaycoffee #takeawaycoffeecup #takeaway
Have a coffee in or take a coffee out…
Eat in or eat out… the weather is still hanging on in there for some alfresco dining.
Perfect for a sunny day like today. ☀️🌤️
#alfresco #alfrescodining #alfrescoliving #alfrescolunch #alfrescobrunch #takeaway #coffee #takeawaycoffee #takeawaycoffeecup #takeaway
Tag us @RoughamEstate
