Sign in with Facebook- Join for free
- Sign In
Sign in with Facebook
The Jacobean house at Bateman's is most famous for the fact that Rudyard Kipling lived here from 1902 until his death in 1936, but the house actually dates back to 1634 (the date is displayed in the stonework over the porch).
Now in the hands of the National Trust it draws in Kipling fans from far and wide all summer long. The house has in fact been preserved very well, having passed directly to the National Trust on the death of Kipling's widow, Caroline, in 1939 (just 3 years after Rudyard Kipling's own death). This means that most of the items and furniture on display really are those that were here when the Kipling's lived here rather than being an attempt to recreate what it may have looked like.
The house itself is actually quite small and so doesn't take long to get around so you can afford to take your time in each room (if the crowds allow).
The first room that you come to as you enter is the Hall which is the room that we are told first attracted Kipling to the house with it's elegant 17th century wooden panelling and stone doorways. Just by the front door is a bookcase and amongst the many books is a collection of Kipling first editions (so we were told - I wouldn't be able to tell if they were first editions or not!)
The next 'room' is the Inner Hall with it's lovely carved wooden staircase and some bronzed plaster reliefs, made by Rudyard Kipling's father Lockwood, depicting characters from his early books.
In the Parlour you see the room where Kipling entertained his guests including Prime Minister Stanley Baldwin (who was also a first cousin to Kipling on his mother's side). An interesting artifact in one of the cabinets in this room is a brass stamp of a swastika. This has absolutely nothing to do with Nazism and does not suggest (or shouldn't) that Kipling had any leanings in that direction. Kipling's use of this symbol on many of his books and on his other papers pre-dates the use of this ancient symbol by the Nazis. Kipling had adopted the practice of using the swastika back in India where it is an ancient symbol for good luck.
As you go up the stairs there is a rather worn 17th century Brussels tapestry depicting the Queen of Sheba.
The study is upstairs and is the 'spiritual heart' of Bateman's. This is where Kipling used to work and that was usually a solitary affair, very few visitors were admitted to this room whilst Kipling was writing.
What was a large bedroom next to the study has now been turned into a exhibition room and this room now displays a number of items and documents about Kipling's life and work.
In each of these and other rooms there are National Trust volunteers who are all very well informed about the place and about Kipling. They are just dying to share some of that with you so please do ask some questions as it will make their day.
As at March 2012 adult admission was £9 each but obviously this is free for National Trust members. Opening times are 11am to 5pm Saturday to Wednesday but check before going as this can change and many NT properties close over the winter months.
Whilst you are here don't forget to make full use of the beautiful gardens.
From Burwash village walk west along the A265 and you will reach a brown heritage sign for Bateman's. The first such sign points to the left at a footpath across a field and says "Bateman's 110 yards". Don't go down this path! The sign is actually for motorists and means that the turn off is in 110 yards and to the left. This is Bateman's Lane and you should follow this downhill to the property. The only entrance is through the car park.
Google Map
Updated Mar 31, 2012
Address: Bateman's Lane, Burwash, TN19 7DS
Phone: 01435 882302
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/
Once you've seen the house at Bateman's don't even think about making a move to leave until you've had a good look around the beautiful gardens.
The formal garden around the pond and the quarterdeck was my favourite but don't forget to see the flowers in the wild garden (which also has the graves of the Kipling pets) and take some time to just stare out across the lovely countyside in the meadow. You should also make a visit to the watermill and see it in action when they do demonstrations. From the entrance to the mill you will be able to see the bee hives (you can't get close for obvious reasons) and you can buy the wonderful honey they make in the gift shop (but it's £7 a jar).
Written Mar 31, 2012
Address: Bateman's Lane, Burwash, TN19 7DS
Phone: 01435 882302
Website: http://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans/
Outside the church of St Bartholomew in Burwash High Street is the village war memorial dedicated to the memory of the local men who lost their lives in both world wars. The memorial was erected in 1920 shortly after the 1st world war and the unique part of it's design was the lantern on top which was lit every year on the anniversary of the death of each of the men commemorated. I don't know if this is still done today, but I hope so.
Written Mar 31, 2012
Address: High Street, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7EH
The first recorded church on this site dates back to Norman times (1090) but the only part of this original church that still remains is the tower. The rest of the church has been remodelled and extended a number of times over the centuries (particularly in the mid 13th century) and there was extensive renovation work done in Victorian times. Fortunately none of this has in any way spoilt this lovely building which is full of character.
Inside the church there are some memorials to the Collins family who owned the ironworks nearby that Burwash's fortunes were built upon in medieval times. In fact there is a cast-iron grave slab which is of 14th century origin and so it could be the oldest surviving example of a Sussex cast iron grave slab.
There is also a bronze plaque inside the church dedicated to John Kipling, who was the only son of the famous writer Rudyard Kipling and was killed in the 1st World War.
The Church is left unlocked during the day but is locked at dusk.
Google Map
Written Mar 31, 2012
Phone: 01435 882301
Website: http://www.burwash.org/local-information/churches-stbartholomews.htm
Helpfulness
Bateman's is just outside Burwash.
Unlike most places you can see in the National Trust guide, this isn;t a big house, nor is it that stately, but it is the house that a well off family might have aspired to in years between the two world wars.
The interior of this beautiful 17th-century house, Rudyard Kipling’s home from 1902 to 1936, reflects the author’s strong associations with the East. There are many oriental rugs and artefacts, and most of the rooms – including his book-lined study – are much as Kipling left them. The delightful grounds run down to the small River Dudwell with its watermill, and contain roses, wild flowers, fruit and herbs. Kipling’s Rolls-Royce is also on display.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Burwash, Etchingham, TN19 7DS
Helpfulness
Whilst visiting Batemans be sure to pop into the little garage at the back of the house and have a look at Mr Kipling's car. It's kept behind glass - so apologies for all the reflections in the pic - but it is rather lovely I think.
Updated Apr 4, 2011
Address: Batemans - Burwash
Burwash can be reached by bus on route 318 operated by Renown Coaches Monday to Saturday. There is no Sunday service. Buses run along the High Street of the village and link Burwash to Etchingham Railway station to the East and Heathfield to the West. Eastbound buses stop at an easily missed bus stop near the post office and village shops whilst Westbound buses stop by the Bear pub. It's about a 15 minute walk from these stops to Bateman's (downhill going to Bateman's but uphill coming back!).
The buses seem to leave their starting points according to a timetable but don't seem to wait until the scheduled time before leaving the intermediate points. I've known the buses to leave Burwash for Etchingham up to a full 12 minutes early so I'd advise being ready and waiting at the road side well in advance as it's probably going to be an hours wait until the next one if you miss it!
Written Mar 31, 2012
Website: http://www.renowncoaches.co.uk/
Batemans - The Home of Rudyard Kipling
by Rudyard Kipling If you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting...
The village of Burwash on the A265 in East Sussex is best known for the National Trust property Bateman's just outside the village. This was the home of author Rudyard Kipling and so Kipling fans...
Build your own Burwash page
Comments