Have you ever fantasised what your dream home might look like? I’ve always veered toward the traditional – something out of a Jane Austen novel; think hidden nooks, shelves filled with books, walled gardens and wildflowers. Well, I no longer have to imagine, because since visiting Bateman’s National Trust in East Sussex, I have found the real deal…
This dreamy Jacobian house, nestled in the Sussex Weald, was once the home of author Rudyard Kipling – or to my children, the man who created The Jungle Book and Baloo the Bear. And after spending a gloriously warm day exploring this wonderful estate, it’s easy to see why the author and his wife Caroline instantly fell in love with it.
The history of Bateman’s National Trust
Born in India and where he got much of inspiration for his writing Joseph Rudyard Kipling was one of England’s most famous writers of his time, and he brought Bateman’s in 1902 at the height of his fame. He wanted to live in a serene and peaceful environment after the untimely death of his daughter Josephine some years earlier, so brought the estate and its surrounding acres including the watermill – which he restored and is still in operation to this day.
The house remains much the same as it did in his day, and visitors are able to see much of Kipling’s belongings and memorabilia including his pristine Rolls Royce, which the boys were impressed by. Meanwhile, discover plenty of other historic details from Kipling’s pet graveyard and even the original stone which marked his grave in Westminster Abbey.
Exploring the gardens
While the house is a fine example of 17th-century architecture with soft honey-coloured stonework, impressive chimneys and oak beams, it is Bateman’s gardens that really stir the soul. Particularly on a fine summer’s day when the dappled sunlight ripples across the lawn and beyond.
Kipling created his gardens so that his children could play and his family and friends could enjoy it. And the National Trust has done its utmost to keep this mantra. Rather than feeling like they are ornamental no-go areas, our children adored running around the trees and playing hide-and-seek, we watched families dotted around the gardens enjoying picnics and dog owners taking leisurely walks.
We all loved finding the perfect semi-circle seating in a private alcove at the foot of the magnificent lily pond which is filled with hundreds of carp. While nearby the rose garden is impressive – and was paid for with the prize money Kipling received for winning the 1907 Nobel Prize for literature.
The walled garden, kitchen garden and Mulberry garden are filled with swathes of different colours, alive with buzzing insects and more, while the orchards are bursting with fruit trees. But perhaps the children loved the wild garden the most, chasing dragonflies and running through tall grass into meadows and over wooden bridges. The views across the surrounding countryside are also worth stopping for.
Rudyard Kipling’s famous poem The Glory of the Garden is the perfect example of how much he loved his gardens and after spending several hours at Bateman’s National Trust, it certainly captured our hearts, too.
Other things to do
As our first visit here was during lockdown measures (pre-booked and timed entry and a one-way system – more information here) the house itself was closed to visitors, which was a real shame, as I would have liked to have seen Kipling’s famous study, where he produced some of his finest work.
Elsewhere, seasonal events and activities have been put on hold, but (thankfully) the Mulberry cafe was still open for takeaway and we were able to enjoy a delicious cream tea sat outside in the sunshine on one of the many tables available.
Having felt somewhat cooped up in our own home for several weeks, we all felt that this was a journey worth making. There may not be a playground for children but our kids really loved the freedom to roam about in a natural, safe environment. They even rose to the challenge of having to find the crocodile in the pond…
I enjoyed finding a bench that overlooked the house and grounds and sitting still for a period of time taking in Bateman’s enduring allure. It was such a peaceful setting I wished I had a good book to lose myself in, too. There’s always next time…