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Find out when Bateman's is open, how to get here, the things to see and do and more.
Diwali at Bateman's
Everyone is welcome to come together at Bateman’s in East Sussex to celebrate Diwali, the Festival of Lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists.
Diwali at Bateman's
Friday 17 October to Monday 20 October 2025
11am to 4pm | Free, normal admission applies
Join us over the four-day weekend to discover beautiful Indian objects, artworks, and hand-crafted decorations in the house. Take part in family-friendly crafts, browse for Indian gifts or Kipling books in the shop, and enjoy a traditional food in the Mulberry tea-room.
Bateman’s was the family home of Rudyard Kipling, author of The Jungle Book, Kim, and Just So Stories. Kipling was born and lived in India; his first language was Hindustani, and his experiences there inspired much of his writing. Learn more about Kipling's links to India and embrace this special Anglo-Indian fusion in the peaceful setting of the Sussex countryside.
More events
Diwali spotter trail
Friday 17 October to Monday 20 October | 11am to 4pm | Free, normal admission applies
During their travels, the Kipling Family collected items from across the globe. A number of objects in the collection have Indian origins. Explore the house and see how many you can spot.
Anwesha Arya & Alex Josephy: Poetry Reading
Friday 17 October | 12pm to 12.30pm & 2pm to 2.30pm | Free, normal admission applies
To celebrate Diwali, Local poets Anwesha Arya and Alex Josephy will be reading a selection of poems from their new book of poetry. Hear about how they worked together to meld Anglo-Indian influences.
“In Anwesha’s shop, at Alex’s kitchen table, in-between the busy days of their lives, all through 2025 they reflected on the books, stories and tales that have made them who they are. They scribbled in private, then redrafted together. They swapped memories and wrote about each other. They explored each other’s journal entries and found poems there. The result is their brand-new poetry collection”. (copy credit: Rye Festival).
Family crafts
Saturday 18 & Sunday 19 October | 11am–3pm | Suggested donation, normal admission applies
Join us for a fun-filled family craft activity! Children can celebrate Diwali by getting involved with crafts. This is a drop-in session that operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
Food and shopping
The Oast House shop will be stocked with Indian gifts and Kipling books, while the Mulberry Tea-room will be serving traditional light lunches.
Autumn walks and fresh air
Autumn in the garden
During autumn at the family home of Rudyard Kipling, the harvest will be well and truly underway, and you can sample produce grown in the Bateman’s kitchen garden with a light lunch or sweet treat from the Mulberry Tea-room.
The Wild Garden is the focus of autumn tree colour, with ornamental trees such as Liquidamber styraciflua and European ash Fraxinus excelsior in their finest throes. Look out for Amelanchiers and the Katsura tree Cercidiphyllum japonicum which has leaves that smell like toffee apples. See inside Park Mill and learn more about its history, Kipling’s use of the generator and how the mill influenced his writing, from one of our friendly guides. Discover the natural play area with swings, climbing frames and a Kipling-inspired totem pole.
Estate walks
Take one of three waymarked routes on the estate and admire autumn colour as you walk through crunchy fallen leaves. Puck’s walk where you can see the inspiration for Kipling’s Puck of Pook’s Hill, an ironmaster’s walk where you follow in the footsteps of the former Wealden iron industry and Dudwell Farm walks taking you in to Burwash village with outstanding views along the way. The trails loop through woodland, past the River Dudwell and across meadows, taking in the highlights of autumn in the High Weald countryside. It’s easy to see why the landscape so inspired fairy tales and fantasy. Walk leaflets can be picked up from visitor reception.
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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.
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.
