The Estate at Bateman's

The Bateman’s estate consists of 300 acres of beautiful High Weald Countryside. Set within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, this landscape is classically medieval; full of small fields, hedgerows, old trees, abandoned iron ore pits, hidden ponds and magical deserted trackways. The River Dudwell runs through the valley and there are seemingly endless magnificent views, making the Bateman’s estate the perfect place for a daily walk.

Things to do

Bateman's Estate

The Bateman’s estate is set within the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty; full of small fields, hedgerows, old trees, abandoned iron ore pits, hidden ponds and magical deserted trackways.

Estate walks at Bateman's

The Bateman's estate is home to a network of footpaths which will guide you through the tranquil Dudwell valley; a landscape that inspired some of Rudyard Kipling's later works such as Puck of Pook's Hill and Rewards and Fairies.

Visiting Bateman's with your dog

Here at Bateman's we love dogs. Bring your furry companion along on a short lead for a stroll around the gardens or out on the wider estate. Find out more about where you can and can't take your dog here.

The estate is the ‘hidden gem’ of Bateman’s and as well as the network of footpaths that crosses it there are now three waymarked walks to guide you around the area’s beauty, history and landscape. These routes can be found here.

Batemans estate walks

A walk with a ranger across the Bateman's estate

Puck's walk

This walk is inspired by Kipling's famous story, 'Puck of Pook's Hill. This gentle walk takes in some great views and it is easy to see how the rolling hills, woods and Dudwell river inspired Kipling's writing.

The Ironmaster's walk

This walk centres on the area around Bateman's that was, for four centuries after the Norman conquest, a centre of small-scale iron production. There is a longstanding claim that Bateman's was built by a Wealden ironmaster.

A view across summer countryside with cattle grazing at Bateman's in East Sussex

Dudwell Farm walk

There are a number of routes that you can take up to Burwash village. Kipling would have walked these many times. They are worth the climb up the hill towards the village and offer some outstanding views.

Our work

Coppicing at Bateman's

Coppicing is one of the ways we look after our woodland here at Bateman’s, using the ancient technique to create or restore habitats that will support a wide diversity of species, both plants and animals.

Pond reflecting the plant life growing around it

Bateman's revitalised ponds

Out in the estate our team has been busy refreshing our ponds to provide a brilliant habitat for some very special wildlife.

Wildflowers at Bateman's

Discover wildflowers in the fields, woods and hedgerows across the Bateman's estate.

Wildlife

Kingfishers

With its sapphire body and fiery orange chest, Kingfishers are undoubtedly one of the most colourful birds in Britain. These small birds are very vulnerable to harsh winters. Bateman’s has the perfect conditions for Kingfishers to thrive during the colder season. The River Dudwell are abundant in minnows and sticklebacks which will sustain a hungry kingfisher and the muddy banks provide space to build nests.

Buzzards

Buzzards are often seen soaring over the Bateman’s estate, along with red kites. They can be seen gliding over wooded hillsides in fine weather or perched on dead trees or fence posts. Buzzards are slightly smaller than kites and have broad, rounded wings, and a short neck and tail.

Barn Owls

Barn owls commonly build their nests in the buildings and around the woods at Bateman’s and are famous for hunting with silent wings and swooping down on their prey unannounced. If you’ve never seen a barn owl before, then winter can be a great time of year to look, as they often extend their hunting hours into daylight to find the extra food they need to get them through the colder months.

Wildlife at Bateman's

Discover a great variety of wildlife out on the Bateman's estate.