The Glory of the Garden events at Bateman’s

A garden of flowers

Rudyard Kipling's poem The Glory of the Garden, which celebrates gardeners and gardening, inspires a poetry trail, creative workshops, special collections display and many more events and activities to enjoy at Bateman's.

Watercolour painting of Bateman's lily pond

Paint the garden workshop 

Learn how to create your own watercolour painting in the idyllic landscape of Bateman’s, with watercolour artist John Wiltshire. Book your place to join the workshop on Sunday 10 or Saturday 16 July.

" Our England is a garden, and gardens are not made, by singing: - ‘Oh how beautiful?’ and sitting in the shade. "
- Kipling, from The Glory of the Garden, 1911

Garden-themed events and activities

Discover lines from The Glory of the Garden poem highlighted in specially-designed metalwork lettering, along a new poetry trail for adults around the garden. See collection highlights in the house and online, and an original short film in the Kitchen of actor and historian Geoff Hutchinson in character as Kipling as he recites the poem in the gardens at Bateman’s. Find out more about planting, design and history of the garden as you explore with a new spring-summer garden map, and on selected dates, join pop-up talks with the Bateman’s garden team as they share tips on topics such as how to prepare a no dig vegetable plot, composting and gardening for pollinators.  

Treasures from the collection

The house team will be shining a spotlight on treasures from the collection that link to the garden and Kipling’s poem. When Kipling won the Nobel Prize in 1907, he spent the prize money on the garden, designing the lily pond and rose garden, and one of the collection highlights you’ll be able to see is the original ‘A Plan for the Rose Garden’. For conservation reasons a replica is usually displayed, but during 2022, you'll be able to see the original in the Exhibition Room.

Bateman's Garden from the South-east by Sir Edward John Poynter, 1913
Bateman's Garden from the South-east by Sir Edward John Poynter, 1913
Bateman's Garden from the South-east by Sir Edward John Poynter, 1913

Displays will also include two beautiful watercolours by Sir Edward John Poynter, showing views of the Bateman’s garden during the Kiplings time. Follow Bateman’s on Instagram and Twitter to see more collection highlights throughout the year, including an impressive mechanical hedge trimmer that survives from the Kipling era. 

Summertime stories and poetry

During the summer, thanks to Bateman's volunteer poetry readers and storytellers, there will be the chance to relax on the lawn and listen to a selection of Kipling’s garden and landscape inspired poetry, in the place which inspired the writing. Families will love listening to a selection of Kipling’s stories for children, in the garden over the school holidays. Take a look at What's on for dates.  

Batemans front garden borders
Batemans front garden borders
Batemans front garden borders

A place to relax and be inspired

The Scullery Second-hand Bookshop will be stocked with gardening books and if you're inspired by the gardens we look after, the spring range in the shop will help you brighten up your own outdoor space. For a bite to eat, you can sample seasonal produce grown at Bateman’s in the Mulberry Tea-room or find a peaceful spot for a picnic on the lawn or by the lily pond. 

To find out more, take a look at What’s on or follow Bateman’s on Instagram.