Bateman's
SussexThe family home of world-famous writer Rudyard Kipling, known for The Jungle Book and Just So Stories. Built in 1634, this Jacobean house is in the Sussex countryside.
Bateman's Lane, Burwash, East Sussex, TN19 7DS
M T W T F S S Open
Closed
Opening times for 19 February 2026
Asset Opening time House 11:00 - 16:30 Garden 10:00 - 17:00 Shop 10:00 - 17:00 Tea-room 10:00 - 17:00 Park Mill 10:00 - 16:45 Second-hand bookshop 11:00 - 17:00 Please note: Last entry to the grounds and house is 30 minutes before the advertised closing time.
Whole property standard (until 1 March)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £18.70 £17.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.40 £8.50 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £46.80 £42.50 Family, one adult £28.10 £22.50 Whole property standard (from 1 March)
Ticket type With Gift Aid Without Gift Aid Adult (18+) £19.80 £18.00 Child (5-17) under 5s free £9.90 £9.00 Family (2 Adults and up to 3 children) £49.50 £45.00 Family, one adult £29.70 £27.00 Become a member and discover more than 500 places
- Assistance dogs only
Assistance dogs only in the house, mill, and shop
- Bookshop
Second-hand bookshop on the ground floor of the house
- Car park
Free parking for National Trust members, non-members £4 per car.
- Dogs allowed
Dogs on short leads welcome in the garden and estate. Assistance dogs only in the house, mill, and shop
- Electric vehicle charging point
Six 22kW electric vehicle charging points are available in the main car park. Chargers can be accessed using mobile app, RFID card, or contactless payment device. Visit our EV charging provider RAW Charging’s website to download the app in advance of your visit. Chargers are only available to visitors during property opening hours.
Electric vehicle charging point - more information- Shop
Gifts, homeware, plants and Kipling books in the Oast House shop
- Tea-room
Tea-room by the Mulberry Garden serves drinks, light lunches and cakes
- Toilet
Toilets, accessible toilet and baby-changing facilities next to visitor reception. Additional toilets by the tea-room
Partly accessible grounds, some uneven paths. Blue Badge parking. Accessible toilet near visitor reception. Wheelchairs available to borrow.
- Accessible route and/or map
Map with accessible route available from visitor reception
Accessible route and/or map - more information- Accessible toilet
Accessible toilet at visitor reception
- Braille (guide or menu)
Braille guide available in the house on request
- Designated parking
Designated accessible parking near visitor reception. Tarmac car park and path to visitor reception
- Drop-off point
Steep slope into the garden from visitor reception – alternative drop-off point by arrangement with visitor reception
- Induction loop
Fixed induction loops available at visitor reception, tea-room and shop. Portable loop available on request
- Large print (guide or menu)
Large print guide to the house available on request
- Ramped access/slopes
Steep slope into the garden from visitor reception – alternative drop-off point by arrangement. Grass ramps in the garden. Ramped access to side door of shop
- Seating available
Seating available in the house if required. Benches throughout the garden. At busier times, to enter the house there may occasionally be a queue in the garden
- Steps/uneven terrain
Staircases to and from the first floor of the house. Partly accessible grounds with some steps, grass ramps and brick paths. Stepped access to Park Mill
- Wheelchairs available
Wheelchairs available to borrow from visitor reception
- By road
- ½ mile south of Burwash. A265 west from Burwash, first turning on left after you leave the village, just before petrol filling station. Please do not use SatNav instructions taking you down School Lane by the war memorial as this road is very narrow. Please look out for National Trust signs. Car park: https://what3words.com/ropes.kickbacks.henceParking: National Trust members free, £4 for cars, £50 for un-booked coaches. Six electric vehicle charging points are available. See ‘Facilities’ for more information. Drivers will require their own cables to charge.
- By train
- Nearest mainline station at Etchingham, 3 miles. Connects with public bus service. No taxi rank at station.
- By bus
- 231 Compass Travel bus service from Heathfield to Etchingham (Mon-Sat). Pre-booking is required. Please check bus timetable before travelling: www.compass-travel.co.uk Please note: the route from the bus stop to Bateman's follows a narrow road without a pavement.
- Cycling
Planning your visit
Family visit to Bateman's
Bring the whole family to Bateman's. With ample space to play and explore, it's the perfect place for curious minds.
What's on at Bateman's
Take part in a variety of events all year round at Bateman's. This year, look forward family activity trails, craft workshops, live music and more!
Visiting Bateman's with your dog
Bateman's is a two pawprint rated place. Dogs are welcome in all outdoor areas. Explore the garden and estate together and enjoy a break with benches outside the tea-room.
Group visits to Bateman's
Bring your group and discover what is so special about Bateman’s – once home to Rudyard Kipling, with its pretty secluded garden, 13th-century watermill and acres of countryside.
Eating and shopping at Bateman's
Discover where to eat and shop at Bateman’s, the home of author Rudyard Kipling. Stop for a hot drink or light meal, and then browse for the perfect gift or pre-loved book.
Bateman's map
Take a look at the map of Bateman's to help you plan your visit.
Highlights
House
A 17th-century house, set in the landscape of the Sussex Weald; home of Rudyard Kipling.
Park Mill
An 18th-century working watermill which was much loved by Rudyard Kipling and featured in his stories written at Bateman’s.
Garden
The garden that made Rudyard Kipling feel like an English country gentleman, with spring blossom, summer roses, autumn apples and winter trees.
Estate
300 acres of High Weald countryside with small fields, hedgerows, ancient trees, hidden ponds and magnificent views across the Dudwell Valley.
Natural play area
Play area with swings, see-saw, climbing frames and space to build a den or enjoy a picnic. Carved oak tree centrepiece featuring images of Sussex wildlife.
Mulberry Tea-room
Serves hot and cold drinks, light lunches, ice cream and homemade cakes, with indoor and outdoor seating.
Shopping
Oast House shop filled with gifts, homeware, toys, plants and local artisan products. Special range of Kipling books. Second-hand bookshop stocked with pre-loved books.
Spotlight events
Baloo's Clues trail
Baloo, the sleepy brown bear, has hidden puzzles and games around Bateman's for you to discover. Test your skills, uncover clues, solve puzzles, and collect your prize. Dates: 14 to 22 February | Times: 10am to 4pm | Prices: £2 with admission (includes a small prize)
Children's crafts
Get creative this half-term! Little ones can take inspiration from Baloo as they paint a bear ceramic pot or make their very own Baloo mask to take home. Dates: 19, 20, 21, & 22 February | Times: 11am–3pm | Prices: £1/£2/£6
Pooch Passport
Explore new places with your furry friend until 28 February 2026. Pick up your pooch passport from visitor reception and discover new places with your best friend. Collect stamps at every participating National Trust property and as a reward, your loyal companion will receive delicious treats. Earn six stamps for a bag of Forthglade dog treats, and reach twelve for a loyal explorer dog tag. Forthglade is a National Trust partner and has generously supported us in this programme by providing treats.
Workshops at Bateman's
Learn a new skill this year with a variety of workshops at Bateman's. Upcoming workshops include crepe paper flower making, Indian block printing, bumblebee identification, and calligraphy. Find out more and book your space!
Easter Egg Hunt
Discover an Easter adventure trail for the whole family at Bateman’s, including fun animal-inspired games and activities, such as bean bag throwing, solving clues and charades. Dates: 21 March–12 April | Times: 10am–4.30pm | Price: £3.50 with admission. Includes a trail sheet, bunny ears and a dairy of Free-From chocolate egg.
Monkey Puzzle trail
Join a brand-new family trail inspired by the much‑loved Monkey Puzzle story by Julia Donaldson and illustrated by Axel Scheffler. Little Monkey is searching for his mum and kindly Butterfly is keen to help, but keeps getting it wrong! Can you join the adventure and help reunite them? As you explore the house and garden, you’ll step into the world of Monkey Puzzle, meeting friendly jungle characters and taking on interactive games and challenges along the way. Dates: 23 May to 1 November | Times: 10am–4pm | Prices: £3, normal admission applies (includes a small prize)
Things to see and do
There’s plenty of things to see and do waiting to be discovered at Bateman's. With its beautiful garden and a host of family-friendly events all year round, it's the perfect day out.
Family-friendly things to do at Bateman's
Planning a day out with family? Explore the home of Jungle Book author, Rudyard Kipling. There's plenty of space to play and explore outdoors. Plus, take part in a variety of family-friendly events all year round. Don’t forget to visit our tea-room and shop where you'll find treats for all the family. Get ready to create memories that will last a lifetime.
Visiting the house at Bateman's
Discover the house at Bateman's. Explore the home of Rudyard Kipling, from the ornate Jacobean hall to the author's own study – left just as it was during his life.
Kipling Collection Exhibition Room at Bateman's
The Kipling Collection Exhibition Room has been enhanced to highlight the life, work, travels, and legacy of Nobel Prize-winning author Rudyard Kipling, one of history's most influential and debated literary figures. In 1939, Kipling's wife, Caroline, entrusted the Bateman’s estate to the National Trust, with the support of their only surviving child, Elsie. Elsie generously donated many unique items related to her father, some of which are now featured in the exhibition. This article gives more information on some of the objects now on display at Bateman's.
Workshops at Bateman's
Learn a new skill this year with a variety of workshops at Bateman's. Upcoming workshops include crepe paper flower making and Indian block printing.
Visiting the garden at Bateman's
Discover the garden at Bateman's. Find out what to see, from the Rose Garden designed by Kipling to wildflowers, an orchard and even a working mill.
Exploring the estate at Bateman's
Explore the estate at Bateman's. Discover what to see and do, from wildlife to seasonal plants and walks, in a landscape that inspired Kipling.
Visiting Bateman's with your dog
Find out about bringing your dog to Bateman’s where you can explore the beautiful grounds of Rudyard Kipling's former home together. Bateman's is a two pawprint rated place.
Outdoor activities
Walking at Bateman's
Find out about walks across the estate at Bateman's. Take in old industry, village life and ancient woodland as you explore the beautiful countryside so loved by Kipling.
Kipling's Puck walk around the Bateman's countryside
This 2.5-mile walk at Bateman's takes in views over the Sussex countryside, a landscape that inspired Rudyard Kipling.
Eating and shopping
Eating and shopping at Bateman's
Discover where to eat and shop at Bateman’s, the home of author Rudyard Kipling. Stop for a hot drink or light meal, and then browse for the perfect gift or pre-loved book.
Upcoming events
Pooch Passport at Bateman's
Pooch passport is back! Explore new places with your furry friend until 28 February 2026. Find out more about the scheme and discover dog-friendly places to explore together.
Baloo’s Clues trail at Bateman's
Explore the house and garden at Bateman’s collecting clues to solve Baloo’s puzzles.
Children's crafts: February Half term
Be inspired by Baloo and get creative with half term crafts.
Crepe Paper Flower workshop: Make your own daffodil at Bateman's
Join workshop leader Helen, a Sussex-based paper artist to create your own everlasting daffodil flower.
Easter Egg Hunt at Bateman’s
This spring, treat the whole family to a world of adventure at Bateman's on an Easter trail.
Rudyard Kipling introductory talks
Get a snapshot into the life of Rudyard Kipling before looking around his home.
Conservation Wednesdays
Ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes to look after the collection at Bateman’s?
Indian Block Printing workshop: Design your own tea towel at Bateman's
Feel inspired to design, print and craft your own bespoke tea towel to take home.
About Bateman's
'That's She! The Only She! Make an honest woman of her - quick!' was how Rudyard Kipling and his wife, Carrie, felt the first time they saw Bateman's.
Surrounded by the wooded landscape of the Sussex Weald, this 17th-century house, with its mullioned windows and oak beams, provided a much needed sanctuary to this world-famous writer and inspired his work.
The rooms, described by him as 'untouched and unfaked', remain much as he left them, with oak furniture, Persian rugs and artefacts reflecting his strong association with India. Kipling wrote Puck of Pook’s Hill and Rewards and Fairies at Bateman's, which includes the poem ‘If’. He was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature in 1907.
Bateman's is very much a family home that feels as though the Kiplings have just gone out for the day.
History
History of Bateman's
Discover the history of Bateman's. Explore its 17th-century beginnings and why the house and garden were so special to Rudyard Kipling and his family.
Art and collections
Bateman’s objects and collections
Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Bateman's on the National Trust Collections website.
Our work
Our work outdoors at Bateman's
Read about what the garden and outdoors team are doing at Bateman’s.
Support us
Volunteering at Bateman's
Whether you want to meet new people, learn fresh skills or simply give something back, you’ll enjoy being part of the enthusiastic volunteer team at Bateman’s. There are many ways you can get involved at Bateman’s, from gardening to meeting visitors, or from helping at events to guiding in the mill and more.
Join your local Sussex supporter group
Interested in making the most of the National Trust near you in Sussex? Members of National Trust supporter groups across Sussex help to raise funds for Bateman's and other local properties, while also getting together for days out, talks and volunteering at their local places. Discover how you can get involved.
