Group visits to Bateman's

View of the East Front of Bateman's, the home of Rudyard Kipling | © National Trust Images/Rupert Truman

Rudyard Kipling loved Bateman’s, it was his personal paradise. Bring your group and discover what is so special about this 17th-century house in the Sussex Weald with its pretty secluded garden, 13th-century watermill and acres of countryside. You will receive a warm welcome from our staff and volunteers.

Your group visit to Bateman’s

Bateman’s, set in the beautiful Sussex countryside, is a great place to bring your group. We can accommodate groups on weekdays excluding Bank Holidays, as well as some Saturdays at quieter times of year. Please book your group visit in advance.

Get the most from your visit

We recommend that you spend about three hours with us to get the most from your visit. Bookings will be scheduled to allow for two groups in the morning and two groups in the afternoon. Pre-booked groups of 15+ are charged at our group rate.

For a small extra charge, you can request a garden tour to complement your visit, subject to staff and volunteer availability. Please ask our team for more details about our tours when booking.

Visitors on a winter garden tour — Visitors enjoy a garden tour | © National Trust Images/John Millar

Travelling by coach

Bateman’s is approximately 90 minutes to two hours from the City of London by road. The best route is via the A2, M25 and then onto the A21.

In the car park, there is parking for two coaches 20 yards from visitor reception. The car park has an uneven surface in the parking area and a tarmacked path to the reception. We can accommodate a limited number of coaches on Saturdays, between October and March.

Group refreshments

The Mulberry Tea-room is the perfect spot to stop off and enjoy a delicious snack, light lunch or National Trust cream tea. There are 32 covers within the tea-room with a further 100 covers available outside in and around the Mulberry Garden area. The tea-room is licensed to sell alcohol.

Unfortunately, there is not sufficient space to accommodate groups at reserved tables in the Mulberry Tea-room during the summer months, but you are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the garden.

A group of people walking and laughing together at Lyme Park in Cheshire — Our team at Bateman's will ensure your group has a great day | © National Trust Images/Megan Taylor

Free familiarisation visits for group leaders

If you're planning a group visit you can request our free Travel Trade Pass and you and a friend or colleague will gain free entry to over 300 of our places throughout England, Wales and Northern Ireland for 12 months. There’s nothing quite like seeing or experiencing somewhere for yourself to help you plan a successful visit. To receive your pass, call 0344 800 2329 or email us at NTTravelTrade@capita.co.uk.

Who is eligible for free entry?

Registered tourist board guides (on production of a valid badge), coach drivers and tour leaders escorting groups of 15 or more. National Trust members also receive free entry, so it is at your discretion whether to refund the entrance fee to members if you have included it in your package – this is not refunded by the National Trust.

Members must bring their current membership cards with them to avoid paying the full group rate. If any of your group would like to join the National Trust please direct them to our Membership page or call 0344 800 1895.

Contact us about bringing your group to Bateman’s

If you'd like to arrange a group visit, please contact us so we can discuss your specific requirements and help you make the most of your time at Bateman’s.

You can reach us by email at batemans.groups@nationaltrust.org.uk or call 01580 831325.

We look forward to welcoming you to Bateman’s soon.

The front lawn and sandstone house at Bateman's, East Sussex

Discover more at Bateman's

Find out when Bateman's is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.

Plan your visit

National Trust Images/Andreas von Einsiedel

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Touring Pass

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