About
This walk passes Rougham Church and some of the really lovely green lanes that we have on the Rougham Estate. It’s an attractive area to visit at any time of year. The walk goes through woodland and includes a kissing gate.
The walk starts and ends 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 using the pdf button above, if you prefer.
If you can’t access the map through the image above, use this google map link
Go on the Green Lanes Walk with George and Bolly in this video where George, who has lived here all his life, talks about interesting facts along the way:
Weather
Waypoints
01
Step 1
From Blackthorpe Barn turn right and pass through the carparks along the concrete road until you reach a wood on your right.
02
Step 2
A path leads into the wood shortly after you reach its boundary. Follow this path bearing left and then turning left after 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. Follow this path until it meets a path from the right.
04
Step 4
At this point follow round to the left heading for Rougham Church which appears dramatically in front of you. At the far end of this path cross the school and church carpark. Cross the public road with care.
05
Step 5
Enter the churchyard and walk up to the great western tower. Turn right here.
06
Step 6
Follow this path to the west and leave the churchyard by a metal pedestrian gate made to commemorate the Rougham Harvest Fair which was one of the Tree Fairs which were a feature of life in Rougham during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Continue down this path, through the kissing gate, until you reach a hedge in front of you.
07
Step 7
Turn right and follow the path along with the hedgerow on your left. At the end of this path, you reach a small wood ahead of you.
08
Step 8
Turn left here and follow the path through to the public road.
09
Step 9
You turn right onto the public road and will remain on it for approximately two to three minutes (about 200 yards). Take care as traffic can move quite fast. Stay on the right side of the road.
10
Step 10
You will see on your left front a double hedgerow approaching with a footpath sign pointing down the green lane and a 3-way road signpost. This is where you turn left. Cross the road with care and enter the green lane. The hedgerow here was planted in 2000 to commemorate the millennium and follows the route of an old right of way which links up to the ancient green lanes further on. They help to form a wildlife corridor to enable wild animals to move around more easily and safely.
11
Step 11
Follow this lane until it joins the ancient lane at a field edge. Continue straight on, down the ancient lane for several hundred metres before you encounter a right turn into another green lane. This next one is called Mouse Lane.
12
Step 12
Take Mouse Lane and follow it as it narrows to a single track before emerging at the far end by some mid-century houses. These houses are named after the green lane and are also called Mouse Lane.
13
Step 13
When the path meets the metalled public road, turn left onto the pavement and follow down to the junction where it meets a larger and faster road.
14
Step 14
Cross the larger road here with care and enter the footpath on the far side.
15
Step 15
This will take you to meet the Blackthorpe Barn avenue.
16
Step 16
Turn right on the avenue and walk down until you see Blackthorpe Barn on your right.
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.
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.
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.
Waypoints 8-15

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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ArtWorks @artworkseast is back at Blackthorpe Barn, opening next Saturday, 12th September.
Now in its 26th year, this much-loved exhibition brings together 28 established artists from across East Anglia for two weeks of beautiful contemporary art in one of Suffolk’s most special settings. From abstract paintings and botanical illustrations to ceramics, sculpture, mixed media and much more, there are over 300 artworks to discover and everything is available to buy.
Come and meet the artists, watch them create their art and take part in the Mini Artworks Prize Draw.
📅 12th – 27th September
🕙 10am – 4pm daily
📍 Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate, SatNav: IP30 9HZ
🎟️ Free entry and plenty of free parking
🍰 Roots Café nearby, open every day
We’re looking forward to welcoming you!
#RoughamEstate #ArtworksEast #SuffolkArt #EastAnglianArtists #BuryStEdmunds
Join us for a day of weaving, nature and quiet creativity at Blackthorpe Barn.
This September, come and learn from textile artist Caroline Hyde-Brown and enjoy a beautiful day of making.
The Wild Weave workshop guides you through the art of weaving with wild grasses and freshly grown flowers on a mini hand-held loom. No experience needed, just a love of nature and a willingness to slow down and make something with your hands.
You’ll choose your raw materials from a posy prepared by Caroline, learn to weave and by the end of the day you’ll have your very own unique piece of wild art to take home and display.
Caroline will also share her knowledge of foraging, medicinal herbs and how the hedgerow has inspired her own practice, making this day as much about the stories behind the craft as the making itself.
📅 10am-4pm on Saturday 26th September
📍 The Meadow Room, Blackthorpe Barn
🎟️ £75 per person
Limited places – book on our website, link in profile.
#RoughamEstate #burystedmunds #TextileArt #NatureCraft #SuffolkEvents
As we head back to school and autumn starts to creep in, it’s hard to believe that our Pick Your Own Pumpkin Patch opens in just a month!
The pumpkins are growing nicely, as you can see, and we’re busy getting everything ready for another brilliant pumpkin season here at Rougham Estate.
It won’t be long until the fields are full of pumpkins and you can come and pick your perfect one.
Who’s already looking forward to pumpkin season?
#RoughamEstate #PickYourOwnPumpkins #PumpkinPatch
There are a couple of irresistible new specials at Roots Café this week!
Salad of the week:
Maple and sage roasted root vegetables with candied pecans, herby ciabatta croutons, crumbled Suffolk blue cheese and a maple and orange dressing.
Brunch Dish
Eton mess French toast topped with end-of-summer berries, strawberry granola, coulis, meringue and a white chocolate glaze.
Both of these temptations are on the menu this week only!
Come and enjoy at Roots Café, open daily 9am – 4pm
#roughamestate #burystedmunds #suffolkfoodie
What a month August has been!
Such an incredible summer we’ve been blessed with, and it’s certainly been a busy one here at Rougham Estate. It’s sad to say goodbye!
But now we turn our attention to September, with autumn vibes starting to creep in. We’re looking forward to everything the next month brings!
#RoughamEstate #AugustAtRougham #SummerAtRougham
Looking for somewhere to enjoy the Bank Holiday weekend?
Come and spend some time at Rougham Estate. Take in the beautiful Sunken Garden as you enjoy great food and drink from Roots Café for some great food, coffee – perhaps before or after exploring the Estate’s walking routes to build up an appetite!
Don’t forget to have a browse around our Lifestyle Shop too, where you might find something special to take home, and Chris from @watsons_plants is with us too, selling his beautiful plants in the courtyard.
Whether you’re looking for a relaxing stroll, a family day out or simply somewhere to enjoy a good lunch, there’s plenty to discover at Rougham Estate.
Find out more from the link in our bio.
#RoughamEstate #BankHolidayWeekend #VisitSuffolk
Art, creativity and a beautiful setting come together at Blackthorpe Barn this September.
The @artworkseast exhibition returns for its 26th year, bringing together 30 established artists from across East Anglia, with a fantastic collection of contemporary 2D and 3D work on display.
From colourful abstract pieces and botanical illustrations to landscapes, portraits, ceramics and sculpture, there’s plenty to discover, and all of the work is available to buy.
There will also be opportunities to meet the artists and see them demonstrating their work, alongside the popular Mini Artworks Prize Draw, which supports the Artworks Schools Programme and an East Anglian charity.
So pop it in your diary:
12–27 September
10am–4pm daily
Blackthorpe Barn, Rougham Estate
Free entry and plenty of free parking.
Find out more on our website, or from @artworkseast
All these images are from past exhibitions.
#RoughamEstate #BlackthorpeBarn #ArtworksEast #ArtExhibition
There’s still time to make the most of your garden before summer comes to an end.
As we move towards autumn, it’s the perfect time to add colour, texture and interest to your outdoor space, whether you’re looking to refresh a border, fill a few gaps or simply find something new to enjoy.
Don’t miss @watsons_plants here at Rougham Estate this weekend and Monday. Chris will be here to offer advice and inspiration on choosing the right plants and making the most of your garden as the seasons change.
Pop by, have a browse and get your garden ready for autumn.
#RoughamEstate #WatsonsPlants #Gardening
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