Bateman's is the charming and fascinating family home of Rudyard Kipling. Nestled in the spectacular Sussex Weald, the house was a haven of peace for the writer and his family. Rooms have been left much as they were when Kipling lived there, and the stunning English gardens surrounding the house are a joy to explore.
Where is Bateman's located?
Bateman's is roughly half a mile south of Burwash village, just off of the A265. Follow the brown NT signs to reach Bateman's Lane.
What is the history of Bateman's to the present day?
This 17th century Jacobean house was built originally for an ironmaster, but when Kipling and his wife first saw the house, they were instantly smitten, and declared that they have to ‘make an honest woman of her'. They lived at Bateman's from 1902 until 1936, when it was bequeathed to the National Trust.
The rooms at Bateman's are largely as they were when Kipling and his family lived there, and visitors will see from the artefacts and oriental rugs that Kipling was drawn to the East, with Kim, written in the study at Bateman's, set in the India of his childhood.
Visitors to Bateman's may well feel as though the Kipling family have just stepped into the gardens for a while, and are set to return at any time.
What is there to see and do at Bateman's?
Visitors can explore Bateman's at their leisure, passing through the study where Kipling wrote many of his works, and wandering other rooms filled with personal possessions. The gardens are another delight, including the formal rose garden, the charming lily pond, the orchards and the gentle meadows which lead to a watermill.
Other Information
There is a new, wild play area at Bateman's, containing carved animals made from wood from the Bateman's estate. There's also a gift shop and a used bookshop, and a delightful tea room, for lunch or refreshments.
