Batemans |
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The homely sandstone house of Bateman's was the former home of Rudyard Kipling from 1902 to 1936. Literary fans will recognize the house which is mentioned in his autobiography "Something of Myself" and the nearby Pooks Hill mentioned in "Puck of Pook's Hill".
Kipling is best known for his Jungle Book and Just So Stories although he also wrote prose and poetry. The house is now managed as an appropriate memorial to him, filled with his personal memorabilia.
Visitors will see the date of 1634 over the door as they enter this lovely home. At that time, Sussex was a flourishing centre for the iron industry with its ready supply of charcoal from the forests of the Sussex Weald.
The Jacobean-style
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At the time the Kipling family moved in, Bateman's was completely unmodernised but it became a quiet sanctuary for his writing and for their children to be raised. The family had electricity, a bathroom and running water installed but Kipling insisted on no telephone being connected. They also maintained the many open fireplaces in which Kipling disposed of his scrap manuscripts.
The family entertained modestly, including some famous names such as Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin, Kipling's cousin, and the fellow-writer, Rider Haggard.
Visitors today will recapture the atmosphere of the happy family home in the oak-panelled parlour where games where played with the family dogs. The parlour, as with much of the rest of the house, has many of Kipling's personal items, brought from India and the Far East when he was a journalist there.
The dining room is still decorated with the rich 18th century Cordoba leather wall hangings of exotic birds
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The rose garden, yew trees and pond were all laid out by Rudyard Kipling using the £7,700 which he received from the Nobel prize in 1907. The walled garden and terraced lawns can still be seen in this formal garden, along with his 1928 Rolls Royce. Visitors can also stroll along the river to see the working watermill.
Kipling died at Bateman's in 1936 and when his wife died three years later she bequeathed the house to the National Trust as a living museum of his life and work.
The rose garden has since been restored and visitors were offered the chance to sponsor a rose, raising funds to maintain this lovely home, whilst claiming a small part of Bateman's for themselves.
Visitors to this lovely home should bring a picnic to enjoy in the Picnic Glen or indulge in afternoon tea in the National Trust café after browsing the books and souvenirs in the Bateman's shop.
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Opening Times
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(2011 times)
House:12th March - 30th October: Monday - Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm. 3rd - 18th December: Saturday and Sunday 11.30am - 3.30pm. Garden, Shop and Tea-room: 26th Feberuary 2011 - 6th March: Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm 12th March - 30th October: Monday - Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 5.00pm 31st October - 21st December: Monday - Wednesday and Saturday and Sunday 11.00am - 4.00pm. |
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Admission Charges
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(2011 prices)
Gift Aid Admission (Standard Admission prices in brackets):Adult £8.60 (£7.80), Child £4.30 (£3.00), Family £21.50 (£19.50). Christmas opening: Adult £4.30 (£3.90), Child £2.15 (£1.95), Family £10.75 (£9.70). Free entry to garden in November and December |
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Directions
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By Bus Renown 318/9 Uckfield-Etchingham railway station By Cycle View local cycle routes on the National Cycle Network website By road Half a mile south of Burwash. A265 west from Burwash, first turning on left By train Etchingham 3 miles Ordnance survey reference 199:TQ671238 |
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Batemans Postcode for SatNav: TN19 7DS |
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