Bateman's

Over het museum

Bateman's is a sandstone manor house in the High Weald of East Sussex, built in 1634. By the start of the 20th century it had declined to the status of a farmhouse. Rudyard Kipling and his wife Caroline first saw it in 1900 and bought it with about 33 acres of land in 1902. Kipling lived and worked here until his death in 1936 and wrote some of his best-known work in the house, including Puck of Pook's Hill, which takes its name from a hill visible from the grounds.

The Kiplings changed little inside, and the rooms, including the author's study, are still arranged much as they were in his lifetime. Kipling laid out the garden from 1907, partly funded by the money from his Nobel Prize in Literature. Below the house stands Park Mill, an 18th-century watermill on the River Dudwell that Kipling used in his stories.

After Kipling's death his widow left the house and estate to the National Trust, which took it over in 1939. Their daughter Elsie later donated many of her father's belongings. Today the house shows the Kipling family's home, with objects collected in India and the East, paintings, and a Kipling Collection exhibition room about his life, travels and legacy that includes his Nobel Prize. The estate covers about 300 acres of countryside around the Dudwell valley.

Hoogtepunten

• Kipling's study, kept much as he left it
• The Jacobean house with a large collection of Kipling-related objects
• The Kipling Collection exhibition room
• Park Mill, an 18th-century working watermill
• The garden and rose garden that Kipling designed
• Walks across the estate, including the Puck walk

Vaste collectie

• Kipling Collection Exhibition Room – An exhibition room about the life, work, travels and legacy of Rudyard Kipling, including items given to the National Trust by his daughter Elsie.
• Kipling's house and study – The Jacobean rooms of the house, from the hall to the author's own study, are kept as they were during his life.

Beheerder

National Trust

Toegangsprijzen & kortingen

The prices are standard admission without Gift Aid. With Gift Aid (a voluntary donation of about 10 per cent) the tickets cost £19.80 (adult), £9.90 (child), £49.50 (family) and £29.70 (one-adult family). Entry is free for National Trust members. Parking is free for members and costs £4 per car for non-members.

Toegankelijkheid

• Deels rolstoeltoegankelijk
• Lift: geen informatie
• Aangepast toilet
• Gehandicaptenparkeerplaats
• Hulphonden welkom
• Tastmodellen / voelbare objecten: geen informatie
• Rondleidingen in gebarentaal
• Informatie in eenvoudige taal: geen informatie
• Audiodescriptie: geen informatie

The grounds are partly accessible, with some uneven paths, grass ramps, bricks and steps; there is a steep slope from visitor reception into the garden, and an alternative drop-off point can be arranged. The first floor of the house is reached by staircases, and access to Park Mill is by steps. A map with an accessible route is available from reception, and wheelchairs can be borrowed. There are fixed induction loops at reception, the tea-room and the shop, and a portable loop on request. A Braille guide and a large print guide to the house are available on request. Assistance dogs only are allowed in the house, mill and shop. Blue Badge parking is near visitor reception, and an accessible toilet is at reception. House tours interpreted into British Sign Language are offered on selected dates.

Kinderen & gezin

Erg geschikt voor kinderen & gezinnen

• Gezinsrondleidingen & workshops
• Speurtocht, doeboekje of kinderaudiotour
• Verschoonruimte
• Speeltuin / speelhoek

There is a natural play area with swings, a see-saw, climbing frames and room to build a den, centred on a carved oak tree showing Sussex wildlife. Family activity trails run in the school holidays, for example a Monkey Puzzle trail with a small prize (about 3 per child) and a Christmas trail based on The Jungle Book, and there are craft workshops. Baby changing facilities are next to visitor reception.

Bereikbaarheid & parkeren

The house is half a mile south of Burwash, on the A265 west of the village; take the first left after leaving the village, just before the petrol station. The National Trust asks drivers not to follow satnav directions via School Lane because it is very narrow. Bicycles may be left at the cycle parking by visitor reception but not ridden in the grounds.

Service & horeca

• Café
• Museumwinkel

The Mulberry Tea-room by the Mulberry Garden serves drinks, light lunches, ice cream and cakes, with indoor and outdoor seating. The Oast House shop sells gifts, homeware, toys, plants and Kipling books, and a second-hand bookshop is on the ground floor of the house. Dogs on short leads are welcome in the garden and estate. There are six electric vehicle charging points in the car park.

Evenementen & zaalverhuur

Het museum heeft hierover geen informatie gepubliceerd.

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