Christmas at Bateman's 2018

'Just So' Christmas at Bateman's

This December Bateman's Christmas celebrations are based around Kipling's Just So Stories, which will cast their magic around his family home.

Wander into our 17th-century house this December and be met with the warm glow from the hall fire and a majestic tree to welcome you. Enjoy handmade fabric decorations in opulent colours on the trees and discover story-themed floral arrangements in almost every room. Kipling's study will remain untouched so you can imagine the writer of these fantastical tales at his work. Take a closer look at the flowers and perhaps you'll spy some of the animals from these famous tales hidden among them.

• 'Just So' Christmas event in the house is open daily from Saturday 1 December 2018 to Sunday 6 January 2019, 11.00am to 4.00pm, excluding Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Last entry to the house at 3.30pm.
• Free event but normal admission charges apply.
• We regret that buggies and pushchairs are not permitted in the house.

Just So storytelling for families

Bring your visit to our Just So Christmas event to life at one of our storytelling sessions. Take a seat in the old kitchen and listen as our storytellers beguile you with readings from the recently released 'Just So Stories' as retold by Elli Woollard in rhyme. This version of Kipling's famous tales is particularly suitable for younger children, although older kids and adults are welcome.

• Storytelling will be taking place on Monday 31 December, Tuesday 1 January, Wednesday 2 January, Thursdays; 20 & 27 December, Fridays; 21 & 28 December, Saturdays; 1, 8 & 22 December and 5 January, Sundays; 2, 16, 23 & 30 December
• Sessions start at 12.00 noon, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm for 15 minutes.
• Free event
• Meet in the old kitchen either at the end of your route through the house or via the servants' corridor from the Oast shop.

More to see out in the garden

Even though it's wintertime, there's still plenty to see in the garden and our winter garden trail is perfect to get the kids out and about.

Pick up a trail at visitor reception and head off into the gardens to seek out the hiding places of some of the Just So characters and learn more about how they got their distinguishing features.

During your search don't forget to stop and admire the amazing framework of branches created by the pleached limes in the formal garden or stop for a while and watch the River Dudwell rushing under the bridge in the wild garden.

• Trails available from Saturday 1 December to Sunday 6 January, except Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
• Available from 10am to 3.30pm for start of trail. Prize collection available until 4pm.
• £2.50 per trail.
• Suitable for children aged 4 - 12 years.