The Gardens at Bateman's

Bateman's sits nestled in the High Weald countryside, surrounded by fields and woodland. The garden that made Rudyard Kipling feel like an English country gentleman includes a river running through a wild flower meadow, a watermill, orchard and a formal rose garden.

Rudyard Kipling's children John and Elsie at Bateman's — Rudyard Kipling's son John rows one boat and his sister Elsie is in the middle on the right

The Kipling's garden

The Kipling’s lived at Bateman's from 1902 until 1936 and during this time they gradually bought the surrounding farm land, which now comprises the 300-acre estate. The 12-acre garden nestles comfortably in the centre of the estate.

Explore the Gardens

Bateman's view over the orchard to the house

Orchard and Vegetable Garden

Bateman's Orchard contains a nice mixture of apples, pears, plums, quince, medlar, crab apples and a black mulberry tree. Whilst the Vegetable Garden is full of fresh produce ready to feed visitors in the tea-room.

The Mulberry Garden

One of the highlights of a visit to Bateman's is the Mulberry Garden, which in the summer and through to the Autumn are a riot of colour, chosen for their decorative floral value, blooming merrily alongside vegetables, herbs and salads.

The Front Garden

The Front Garden at Bateman's is bordered by tall Yew trees, laid out pathways and grand iron gates. The riot of colour found in the front borders, set of the soft sandstone house and lead-glazed windows.

View from the Pleached lime avenue across the lawn towards the house at Bateman's,

The Quarterdeck and Spring Borders

The raised path and upper lawn that runs in front of the Bateman's house is known as the Quarterdeck and can be described as a more formal part of the gardens. Two perfectly straight rows of Pleached Limes can be seen, along with the colourful glory of the Spring Borders.

The Lily Pond and Rose Garden

Bateman’s Rose Garden was designed by Rudyard Kipling himself with the money he received after being awarded with the Noble Prize for Literature in 1907. In summer, and well into the Autumn the blooms provide eye catching colour of pinks and reds.

The Wild Garden

As you pass between the stone pillars of the gateway and enter into The Wild Garden, the atmosphere changes dramatically. The Wild Garden, where Kipling once had his tennis court, is now planted informally with a mass of spring bulbs and flowering trees and shrubs.

Things to do

Natural play area at Bateman's

Tucked away in a secluded dell near to the car park, our natural play area is now open. Bring the kids and let them enjoy our giant swing and wooden see-saw or go wild building themselves a den.

Spring blossom at Bateman's

The 13-acre garden surrounding Bateman's is home to an orchard, bursting with apple, pear, plum, damson and black mulberry trees. From mid-April to early May the orchards come into flower and bloom with beautiful pink and white blossom, making it one of the best times of year to visit

Spring in the garden at Bateman's

Spring is a great time in the Bateman's garden as new life and colour return after the long winter months. Be prepared to feast your eyes on all that nature has to offer.

Seasonal highlights

Spring

The garden comes to life with a succession of spring flowers to delight the senses from the earliest snowdrops and Narcissi to flowering trees and shrubs. The vegetable garden lies ready to receive the earliest sowings of vegetables, which we grow for the Tea-room, to provide the freshest and most local produce possible.

Summer

Wildflowers adorn the banks of the river running through the garden. The Mulberry Garden borders are a highlight with the combination of ornamental and edible plants. The roses are in full bloom, in the Orchard and the fragrant rose walk with climbers and ramblers. The crowning glory must be the Lily Pond and Rose Garden, designed by Kipling and home to 3 varieties of floribunda roses.

Autumn

The apples and pears in the Orchard turn vibrant shades of red, green and russet as the fruit ripens. The Wild Garden’s on fire with autumn colours; look out for Amelanchiers, Azaleas, Liquidamber and the Katsura tree, with leaves that smell like toffee apples.

Winter

Glossy greens of winter foliage, interspersed with the occasional splashes of colour, especially in the spring borders. Evergreen shrubs such as camellias, viburnums, aucuba, magnolia grandiflora and holly can be found in the borders by the house and in the wild garden.

Our work

Meet Len Bernamont

Len Bernamont is the Garden & Outdoors Manager at Bateman's. Discover more about Len and about what his role involves at Bateman's.

Wildflowers at Bateman's

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

Pear Alley restoration

The Bateman’s Pear Alley can be found at the bottom of The Orchard, next to the greenhouse and opposite the gated entrance to The Mulberry Garden. It was designed by Kipling to provide him with a long view down to the house.

Walkies

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.