Walks around Rougham Estate
Walks of all lengths around the beautiful Suffolk countryside.
Whatever the time of year, walking in the Suffolk countryside is like stepping into a living postcard, and here at Rougham Estate we are pleased to offer 18 miles of public footpaths, cycling routes and permissive pathways for you to enjoy.
Here is a selection of walks, all starting at Blackthorpe Barn. They are not specifically signposted, but rather are suggested routes using existing pathways in the locality. The waypoints for each walk are detailed in the link boxes below, including a downloadable/printable PDF and a google map, which you can download and use to follow the path on your phone.
Each walk has been designed by George Agnew, whose great-grandfather bought Rougham Estate in 1904, and all have been tested with Bolly the cavapoo, who has given them his seal of approval. The majority of the walks also have a real-time video of George taking the walk and talking about interesting facts and history along the way.
Roots Café and the Rougham Estate Shop are open all year around, so you are welcome to visit Blackthorpe Barn throughout the seasons. See their opening times here.
Please note the important and useful information about the walks below.
Don’t get locked in
The car parks at Blackthorpe Barn, where all these walks start and end, are closed and locked when the café and shop are closed.
If you think you will be walking beyond the time the café and shop close, please park outside the Blackthorpe Barn area.
Some walks temporarily closed
A large new water main is in the process of being installed across the Estate from west to east. It is part of a massive infrastructure project and it is crossing a number of public footpaths which have been closed whilst the work is undertaken. This sadly is impacting our walks network and so some paths must be temporarily closed.
We have removed these walks from the website and will reinstate them when they are open again. The walks shown here on this page are all open.
Walks
Important Information
01
Difficulty levels
We have given each walk a difficulty level, as a guide to the potential walker about what to expect.
A difficulty rating of “easy” means the path is most accessible.
A difficulty rating of “hard” means the path is one of the most challenging possibly including stiles, kissing gates, steps, steep slopes and meadows with cattle.
A difficulty rating of “medium” is somewhere between.
The route information for each walk includes photos of the walk, a google map and, in most cases, a video, so that you are able to assess whether you would like to take the walk or not.
None of the walks are very hard as we live in Suffolk, not the Lake District, however some people are looking for something very gentle and others, something a bit more challenging.
02
Footwear and dress for walks
These walks lead through the Suffolk countryside and so expect to find muddy patches, nettles and thistles. It is important to remember that the weather may change during your walk too, especially if the walk is a long one. Remember to wear sensible boots and take something waterproof along as well. A sun hat for warmer weather is important too.
03
Dogs on leads
Here at Rougham we love dogs and really appreciate the importance that they hold for people in their lives and on their walks and outdoor adventures together. We would ask that you keep your canine friends on a lead when you are walking in Rougham. It is safer for the dog and much safer for wildlife. Ground nesting birds and other wildlife are seriously threatened by dogs running loose. They can also frighten other people who are less comfortable with dogs, but would also like to walk. Finally, you will not be able to see where they poo and so will not be able to clear it up and leave a hazard for future walkers. Some of the walks shown here include sections on public rights of way over land owned by other people. As a courtesy to them too, please always keep your dogs on the lead. Thank you!
04
Poop bags
Please ensure that you carry poop bags with you on your doggy walks. If you don’t have any with you, you can buy some in our shop. It is so important that you clear up after your dog and then take the bag away with you. You will find poo bins located near Blackthorpe Barn and Roots Café. Finding abandoned poop bags hanging in the branches of trees or just left on the ground is very unattractive for future walkers on the route so please do take them with you. Thank you so much.
05
Negotiating stiles with a dog
Stiles enable people to cross stockproof fences safely. Our stiles are built to Suffolk County Council standards. If you have a dog with you then you should look for a small dog gate at the base and to the side of the stile. This may have a flap on a spring or a sliding door. Encourage your dog through first, then pass the dog’s lead through and take hold of it from above the fence. Then cross the stile yourself. This enables you to cross the stile without taking your dog off its lead.
06
Accessibility
The Rougham Estate walks shown here are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way. They pass mostly through woodland and along field-side paths.
Each path is given a difficulty rating ranging from “easy”, which are the most accessible, to “hard”, which are the most challenging, including obstacles.
All these walks follow existing paths and are subject to mud and puddles in wet weather, fallen branches and trees during and after storms, ice and snow during frozen weather. Brambles and nettles are common anywhere and will overhang the paths during the summer. Stinging insects including wasps, bees and hornets may be encountered and midges and mosquitos are common on summer evenings. Adders are rare but do exist and should not be approached.
The Blackthorpe Barn has a defibrillator available for emergency use.
Rougham is located in a very flat part of Suffolk and as such is more accessible that in most other parts of the country but concepts of accessibility are all relative and the final judgement must be the responsibility the visitor themselves.
The Rougham Estate does its best to make public areas as available as possible; it cannot accept responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred during visits or walks on the Estate although every effort is made to make them as usable as possible.
07
Meadows with cattle
Our ancient meadows are a wonderful sight and well worth a visit on one of our walks. The reason they remain like this is that they provide grazing for cattle as they have done for many hundreds of years. You must assume that there may be cattle in any meadow that you visit. Leave all gates how you find them and ensure that any dog you have is on a short lead and kept close to you. Cattle are curious creatures and may well approach you to see who you are. They are also herd animals, so they tend to move together with one taking the lead. They are also frightened of dogs. This is an inherited memory linking back to the times of wolves. Just walk steadily through the meadow. Don’t let anyone chase the cattle or make loud noises. If you or anyone in your party is uncomfortable about cattle it may be best to choose another walk.
08
Not all the land over which these paths run belongs to the Rougham Estate
We have endeavoured to provide a real variety of walks based on land within the Rougham Estate, however some destinations are a little remote and to achieve circular walks rather than walks which just retrace their steps, where necessary use has been made of the extensive footpath network and chosen public footpaths on our neighbours’ land, to complete the journeys in more interesting ways.
Public and Permissive Footpaths on the Estate
Across the Rougham Estate there are over 20 kilometres of public rights of way and an additional 5.5 kilometres of permissive rights of way granted by the Estate for your further enjoyment.
All of the rights of way across the Estate are clearly posted and we mow them on a regular basis to make them more accessible. Outside these ways, we have created important habitats for wildlife and ground-nesting birds.
It is extremely important that people stick to the rights of way, as disturbing the habitats by leaving the paths would be detrimental to the success of the wildlife. We have created a map showing the Public and Permissive footpaths.
More to do at Blackthorpe Barn
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.
NEVER MISS A THING
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Christmas has well and truly arrived at Rougham Estate, and now is the perfect time to visit.
From a crisp, frosty morning outdoors, it’s a delight to enter the big warm Barn and be surrounded by festivities.
Arts&Crafts is coming to the end of the first weekend and today (Sunday 15th) is the last day to catch these makers:
@dea.and.me @sophiecharlottecook @bluebelllanejewellery_ @madeleine_tapp_art_textiles @mushipotters @reworkedcanvas @sarahjhollisceramics @norfolkjewelleryco
There are over 40 other makers in the Barn with them – come and find that perfect and unique gift, buying directly from the designer/maker. Don’t miss out on this weekend!
The Café and Teepee are serving tasty and warming bites and drinks, and the Christmas Shop is brim-full of every Christmas decoration you can imagine.
Lots of free parking right nearby, with everything within easy walking distance.
We’re just off the A14, J45, east of Bury St Edmunds.
Free entry to the café and shop, with tickets to the Christmas Arts&Crafts Fair available both online and on the door. (Day ticket: £2.50 online, £3 on the door, or a Season ticket for all remaining 9 days: £10 online, £12 on the door).
Find all the details on our website – link in profile.
Come and get into the Christmas spirit and get your Christmas started in the best way.
See you soon!
#roughamestate #suffolkevents #christmasmarket #suffolkchristmas #burystedmunds
It’s the first big weekend of the Rougham Estate Christmas Festival at Blackthorpe Barn and this is the place to be!
The 35th annual Christmas Arts&Crafts Fair opens this weekend with a cracking range of hand-crafted goods. Come and meet the makers, the people who have designed and made these beautiful pieces by hand. You’re sure to find some amazing gifts here.
A £10 Season Ticket allows you to come and go as you please for the coming 5 weekends.
Day tickets £2.50 online, £3 on the door, season ticket on the door: £12. Assistance dogs only.
The Rougham Estate Christmas Shop is a magical wonderland of decorations, gifts and ideas. Come and be inspired for making your home beautiful for the coming season.
Open daily 9:30am-5pm (4pm on Sundays). Dogs to be carried. Free entry.
Roots Café and the Roots&Co Teepee are perfect for grabbing a tasty and warming bite. The Café is table service with our usual menu whereas the Roots&Co kiosk is serving warm drinks and snacks to take away, or sit in the teepee for a rest between shopping sprints.
Café open daily 9am-5pm (4pm on Sundays). Dogs with paws on the floor.
The kiosk is open as needed.
There are still a few tickets left for our very popular Christmas workshops happening over the coming weeks, with willow weaving, wreath-making, glass-fusing and making your own ferments and sauerkraut – there’s something here for everyone.
Christmas Trees are coming soon! The trees from our own plantations will start to be cut in the coming days, with sales of cut trees starting on Friday 20th November. Bigger trees are already being delivered to town centres and businesses in the area. All our trees are grown within a mile of Blackthorpe Barn. Smaller potted trees available. Information and prices on our website.
There is plenty of free parking around the Barn, with a dedicated Christmas tree car park from 20 Nov and everything is within easy walking distance.
Come and get your Christmas going at Rougham Estate!
3 miles east of Bury St Edmunds, just south of A14,J45, we’re easy to get to.
We look forward to welcoming you soon!
#suffolkchristmas #christmastime #christmascraftfair #suffolkdaysout #suffolkevents
Here are even more makers who will be with us this coming weekend on 14th and 15th November. There is a vast range of beautiful hand-crafted items to find here, from metalwork to textiles, artwork to delicious foods. It’s the perfect place to treat yourself and find gifts for loved ones.
Buy direct from the designer/makers who have made these items and who have travelled from near and far to be here this weekend.
Each weekend for the next 5 weekends there is a new mix of artisans here in the beautiful ancient Barn.
With both Roots Café and the Roots&Co teepee nearby and the famous Rougham Estate Christmas Shop next door, this is the place to be!
And if you fancy getting crafty yourself, there are just a few places left for the Willow Weaving Stars workshop on Saturday afternoon – come and make a day of it!
Arts&Crafts open for the next 5 weekends until 13th December.
Plenty of free parking.
Entrance to the Crafts: £2.50 online, £3 on the door.
Season ticket for all 10 days: £10 online, £12 on the door.
Children 15 and under, free. Assistance dogs only in the Craft Fair.
Showcased here and with us on 14-15th November:
@jo_rochester_art @hassinakhanglass @ceramicsbuyanja @kittiwakejewellery IslandKnitwear @infused_with_kindness @birdfeedertree @lizzingtonbags @j.w.h.mccaughan @merrywoodhandmade @peter.dibble.basketmaker @beadedgarden @tuliphousenorfolk CarolPage @wendytheobaldwildlife @mattbrownmakes @triciafrancispots @leatherdesigncraft
#roughamestate #burystedmunds #christmasmarket #craftfair #artisanmade
There’s more to enjoy at Rougham Estate this Christmas!
We’ve been busy making sure there’s plenty of space, food and comfort for everyone visiting us during the festive season.
Our outdoor catering hut, Roots & Co, is now open, serving extra treats and refreshments, and our new giant tipi is up, providing additional covered seating where you can take a break, enjoy something delicious and soak up the atmosphere.
And while you’re here, don’t miss our potted Christmas trees, now available to buy, alongside all the festive inspiration waiting to be discovered in our Christmas Shop.
Whether you’re visiting for a spot of Christmas shopping, meeting friends for a bite to eat or making a day of it with family, there’s plenty to enjoy.
We’ve got Christmas covered at Rougham Estate!
#RoughamEstate #ChristmasAtRougham #SuffolkChristmas
It’s time! This Saturday, Blackthorpe Barn opens its doors for the 35th year of the Rougham Estate Arts & Crafts Fair, and this is when Christmas truly begins.
Around 50 independent designer-makers are travelling from across the country to be here, filling the Barn with the most beautiful handmade work.
Paintings, ceramics, jewellery, textiles, sculpture and so much more; every piece made by hand, by someone who has poured their heart into their craft.
Come and buy directly from these makers and support small independent businesses this Christmas.
35 years of makers, of creativity and of finding the most wonderful things under one thatched roof.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Open each weekend until 12-13 December, with a different mix of makers each week.
Season tickets: £10 online, for all 10 days (£12 on the door)
Day tickets: £2.50 online (£3 on the door)
Children 15 and under, free entry.
Assistance dogs only.
The Rougham Estate Christmas Shop and Roots Café just next door.
Plenty of free parking.
Just off J45 of the A14, 3 miles east of Bury St Edmunds.
Showcased here and coming this weekend:
@juliahulmesculpture @forevergardenmetalartwork @bluebelllanejewellery_ @cpedecorativeglass @trucklecheese @suecariellohandbags @mariannelakerdesigns @lindsayduffjewellery @fairy_kaff @jagorman2019 @hazelbaystore @katiemillardartist @westlodgepottery @norfolkjewelleryco @sheilamadder @reworkedcanvas @ocutterdesign @domupson
#artisanmade #designermaker #suffolkdaysout #suffolkchristmas #christmasmarket
Have you ever wondered how Christmas at Rougham Estate first began?
You may have noticed the Christmas story as you enter the shop, and this is a true story…
Long before it became a Christmas tradition for thousands of visitors, it started with one family’s love of the festive season.
Back in 1948, a young Danish woman called Bus brought a little of the Christmas she had grown up with to her new home in Suffolk. She wanted to recreate the warmth, candlelight and special feeling of a traditional Danish Christmas.
Little did she know that those family celebrations would plant the seeds of something much bigger.
Over the years, the tradition grew, bringing together beautiful Christmas trees, independent makers, festive shopping and the special atmosphere that so many people return for every year.
And while much has changed since 1948, that original feeling of Christmas – the warmth, the magic and the joy of sharing it with others, always remains at the heart of Rougham Estate.
Discover the full story behind the Christmas you know and love, and find out how it all began by visiting our website or using the QR code.
#roughamestate #christmasstory
It began with an early start and a rather misty morning as two very special Christmas trees made their way from Rougham Estate into Bury St Edmunds town centre.
For years, we have been proud to gift the trees to the town as a little way of giving something back to the community we are part of.
There is something lovely about knowing they will soon be lit up, bringing a little Christmas magic to the town centre and creating memories for families and visitors throughout the festive season.
A huge thank you to Vince Marshall Transport for helping us deliver them safely.
If you visit the town centre, we hope you enjoy them. ☺️
#roughamestate #christmastrees
**A notice for all dog walkers visiting Rougham Estate**
As our sheep begin arriving next week, we’re asking everyone walking their dogs across the Estate to be particularly mindful of the livestock.
The sheep will be grazing on our overwinter cover crops as part of the Estate’s ongoing land management.
We love welcoming dog walkers and want everyone to continue enjoying the footpaths and open spaces, but it is essential that dogs are kept on a lead at all times when near livestock. This is a legal requirement, and livestock worrying is being taken increasingly seriously, with significant penalties for owners whose dogs chase or attack sheep.
Please also be aware that the sheep are contained within electric fencing. Please do not touch the fencing, as it is live and will give you an electric shock.
Thank you for helping and understanding.
#farmlife #sheep #roughamestate
Tag us @RoughamEstate
