Downs Wood Walk and Footpath
- 30 minutes
- easy
- 1.2 miles
About
This walk takes you through the Downs Wood and on the far side takes you round some beautiful paths with views of Rougham Church before returning to the Blackthorpe Barn through the wood again. If it’s been raining recently, the paths through the woods may be muddy and slippery in places and there may be some branches across the path if it’s been windy.
The walk starts at Blackthorpe Barn where you can find plenty of free parking as well as Roots Café and the new Garden Room shop. Please remember that the gates to the avenue entrance are locked after the Cafe and Shop close. More details here.
For more general information about this and other walks, see Walks around Rougham Estate. We hope you have a lovely walk.
Use the Google Map below on your phone to follow the path shown or print the route out, if you prefer, using the Download PDF button near the top of the page.
If you can’t access the map through the image above, use this google map link
Go on the Downs Wood and Footpath Walk with George and Bolly in this video, where George Agnew narrates the walk covering interesting information along the way:
Weather
Today
17.2°C
Tomorrow
16.9°C
Wednesday
14.1°C
Waypoints
01
Step 1
From Blackthorpe Barn turn right and pass through the carparks along the concrete road until you reach the Downs Wood on your right.
02
Step 2
A path leads into the wood shortly after you reach its boundary. Follow this path, past some old air raid shelters on your right which are left over from the old airbase located here in Rougham during the Second World War. Shortly after the second air raid shelter, bear left and then turning left after about 50 metres. Follow through the wood to the far end.
03
Step 3
At this point turn right at a T junction. Follow this path out of the wood with a hedge on your left. You will see Rougham Church appear through the hedgerow. Follow this path until it meets a path crossing your path.
04
Step 4
Turn right down this path and follow it between the fields until you meet the public road in front of you. Here you will find a poop bin, which might prove useful!
05
Step 5
Turn right here and follow along the edge of the field, with the road on your left until you reach the end of the field.
06
Step 6
Here, turn slightly left and onto the pavement as you approach some houses called The Downs and named after the wood behind.
07
Step 7
Follow this pavement round to the right as you walk down the roadway between the two rows of houses. After passing a pair of semi-detached bungalows and then a pair of semi-detached houses on your left you will find an entrance to the wood on your left behind a garage.
08
Step 8
Enter the wood here and follow the path straight ahead. The path forks as you continue after 50 metres.
09
Step 9
Take the right fork and continue. You then reach an island in the path ahead and can pass either side of it but continue in a straight line further on until you see a small path lead off to the left.
10
Step 10
Follow this small path to the left, out of the wood. You will now have reached one of the further carparks of Blackthorpe Barn.
11
Step 11
Walk slightly right as you approach the road through the carparks. Turn left onto the road and follow through to the end where you will see signs directing you to the Roots Café for some well-earned refreshment.
Important information
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 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 who would also like to walk.
Finally, you will not be able to see where they poop 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!
The Rougham Estate walks, starting from Blackthorpe Barn, are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way. They mostly pass through woodland and along field-side paths.
Each walk is given a difficulty rating ranging from “easy”, which are the most accessible, to “hard”, which are the most challenging and may include stiles, kissing gates, steps, steep slopes and meadows with cattle.
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 than 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.
The Estate cannot accept responsibility for accidents or injuries incurred during visits or walks on the Estate, though every effort is made to make them as usable as possible.
Please ensure that you carry poop bags with you on your dog walks. If you don’t have any with you, you can buy some in the Garden Room Shop. It is so important that you clear up after your dog and then take the bag away with you.
You will find poop 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, and creates a problem for wildlife, so please do take them with you.
Thank you so much.
We have given each walk a difficulty level, as a guide to the potential walker as to what to expect, from “easy” to “hard”.
The Rougham Estate walks are largely based on existing Estate paths and public rights of way, at times passing through woodland and along field-side paths.
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 between the two.
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.
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.
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.
Other routes
Waypoints 4-10
01/07
02/07
03/07
04/07
05/07
06/07
07/07
Start your walk with a coffee, end with a cake.
Experience a charming and cosy spot located in the heart of the beautiful countryside. The café boasts a tranquil and serene atmosphere, making it the perfect place to unwind and escape the hustle and bustle of daily life.
NEVER MISS A THING
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Not sure how to find Rougham Pumpkins, because we’re not in the same field as last year? We’ve got you covered!
Finding the Rougham Pumpkin Patch is easier than you think, just follow this reel and you’ll know exactly where you’re going before you even leave the house.
We’re about 3 miles east of Bury St Edmunds, just south of Junction 45 on the A14, in Elderstub Lane.
(This is the same junction as last year, but south of the A14 instead of north.)
SatNav: IP30 9HX
What3words: others.flaunting.anchorman
Open 9am – 5pm at the weekends in October and daily 24-31 October.
Free entry, free parking, no booking needed.
Thousands upon thousands of pumpkins.
Games, bale pyramids, sand pits and more.
A fabulous festival selection of street food trucks.
Evening openings and SEN hours.
One golden pumpkin to be found in the field each day, winning the finder a free barrow-load of pumpkins.
All the info from our website, link in profile.
See you at the patch! 🎃🧡
#RoughamEstate #RoughamPumpkins #PickYourOwnPumpkins #SuffolkAutumn #BuryStEdmunds
The wait is over – Rougham Pumpkins opens today 🎉🎃 Just look at all these pumpkins on this year’s field!
Thousands upon thousands of pumpkins, squashes and gourds are waiting for you to pick them. Prices range from 75p to £10.
If you find the GOLDEN pumpkin hidden on the field, you win one wheelbarrow of pumpkins for free!
The patch is open 9am-5pm each weekend in October, and until 9pm on Saturdays 17th and 24th, and then daily from 24th to 31st.
There’s plenty of room to play and wander, enjoy games and photo-ops and food, glorious food!
🎃These wonderful food trucks are bringing the festival vibe here this weekend:
Roots&Co – coffee, bagels, crumble, drinks including wine, beer and cocktails
@whatthe_peck – Suffolk-reared fried chicken
@BadBoiBurritos – toasted burritos
@Pigs_In – all your pork favourites
@GeeGeeBakes – cheesecakes, milkshakes & coffees
@KiernansCoffee – coffees, drinks & snacks keeping you going at the “Pitch in the Patch”
@FullThrottleCoffeeCo – coffees & snacks
@Tikka_Tonic – New Delhi style street food (Saturday only)
@TheCreperieShack – sweet & savoury crepes
Or bring your own picnic if you like.
🎃NEW FIELD! The pumpkins are in a new field this year, the same as the sunflowers were, south of J45, A14 on Elderstub Lane.
SatNav: IP30 9HX
Maps and directions on our website
🎃Free entry, free parking, no booking needed – there’s no reason not to come
Grab a wheelbarrow, explore the patch, pick your favourites.
Come and feast and enjoy this glorious late summer sunshine.
Don’t forget:
🎃Pumpkins by Torchlight and Silent Disco on 17th and 24th October – headset tickets available from 5th October,
🎃 the quieter SEN-hours where there is ticket-only entry on 27th and 29th October 9am-10am.
Due to the very dry summer, most of the pumpkins are standard size.
Well-behaved dogs welcome on a lead in the picnic area, but not in the main patch because of problems in previous years.
All the details and almost every question answered on our website.
We can’t wait to welcome you here!! See you in the patch! 🧡
#roughampumpkins #roughamestate #burystedmunds #autumnfestival #suffolkevents
There’s something rather lovely about autumn leaves when they first start to turn.
On Saturday 10 October, the Canvas Club returns to Rougham Estate for an afternoon of painting inspired by the colours of the season.
Artist Sarah Rawlinson will guide you step by step as you create your own autumn leaves painting using acrylics. No previous painting experience is needed, and everything you need is provided, including your canvas, paints and brushes.
It’s a relaxed, social afternoon, with tea, coffee and sweet treats included. And, of course, you get to take your finished artwork home with you.
Saturday 10 October
1pm–4pm
£45 per person
The Meadow Room, behind Blackthorpe Barn
Age 16+
Booking is essential.
Find out more and book your place on our website or via the link in our bio.
#RoughamEstate #CanvasClub #PaintYourOwn #AutumnLeaves
Goodbye September.
As we say goodbye to September, we’re looking back on a month full of moments here at Rougham Estate. From time at Roots Café, to events at Blackthorpe Barn, to quiet walks through changing fields.
And now, we turn the page to October.
Hello, October. We’re looking forward to crisp mornings, autumn colours, and all that’s ahead this season.
#SeptemberAtRougham, #HelloOctober. @noelleescreative
Take a little inspiration from the garden and turn it into something you can keep.
On Saturday 17 October, join textile artist Caroline Hyde-Brown for our Stitching the Sunken Garden Workshop.
The day begins in the Sunken Garden, taking inspiration from the colours, textures and shapes around you before learning the Japanese botanical printing technique of Hapa-Zome.
You’ll then use your prints as inspiration for slow stitching and embroidery, creating your own unique piece of artwork to take home.
No previous experience is needed, so whether you’re already a keen stitcher or simply fancy trying something different, you can join in.
Saturday 17 October
10am–4pm
Meadow Room, Blackthorpe Barn
Tea, coffee and sweet treats are included, and all materials are provided.
Places are limited and booking is essential. Find out more and book your place on the Rougham Estate website.
#RoughamEstate #StitchingTheSunkenGarden #SuffolkWorkshops
As the weather gets cooler, we turn our attention to warmer dishes at Roots Café.
This week’s special is our sweet potato and chilli soup with Rougham honey. A warming combination of sweet potato, a little chilli and our own Rougham honey, perfect for an autumn day.
Our brunch special is our oven-baked nachos with cheddar, mozzarella, jalapeños, salsa, guacamole, sour cream and cowboy caviar (crunchy veg salsa in case you were wondering). Perfect for sharing, although we won’t judge if you keep them all to yourself!
Pop in after a walk around the Estate or simply come along for a cosy lunch.
Roots Café is open daily from 9am–4pm.
#RoughamEstate #RootsCafe #WeeklySpecials
You may notice the Rougham Estate Shop looks a little different at the moment…
As we start to transition towards our Christmas Shop, which opens in mid-October, we’ve downsized the shop for a short while as we make room for all the festive treats to come.
There’s still plenty to discover, with beautiful homeware, gifts and seasonal pieces, including some lovely autumnal touches and pumpkins.
Roots Café is open as usual, so why not combine a browse around the shop with a coffee, lunch or something sweet?
The shop and café are both open daily, and we look forward to seeing you.
#RoughamEstate #RoughamEstateShop #RootsCafe
Believe it or not, the 2027 harvest is already underway!
The first crop to be planted this season is our Oilseed Rape (OSR), which means those famous sea of yellow fields will be back before we know it.
OSR is usually planted in early to mid-August, but after such a dry summer, we had to wait for the right conditions. Planting was delayed until late August and into early September.
One of the challenges with growing OSR is the Cabbage Stem Flea Beetle, a pest that can cause significant damage to young plants. Rather than relying on broad-spectrum insecticides, we’ve sown a companion crop of buckwheat alongside the OSR. The idea is to confuse the beetles and hopefully reduce their impact on the crop.
It’s early days, but we’ll be watching it closely as it gets established. The yellow fields of 2027 might seem a long way off, but the work starts now!
#RoughamEstate #Farming #SuffolkFarming
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