Bateman's
East Sussex, England
Photo: DeFacto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Gallery: Josie Campbell, CC BY-SA 2.0 · N Chadwick, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Key facts
- Operator
- National Trust
- Condition
- Intact
- Access
- Staffed, ticketed
- Entry pass
- National Trust Explorer Pass
- Membership
- Covered by National Trust annual membership - what it costs per visit
- Nearest station
- Stonegate, 2.2 miles (straight-line)
- Note
- 17th-century Jacobean house that was the home of author Rudyard Kipling
Pinpoint
Bateman's Ln, Burwash, Etchingham TN19 7DS
Telephone 01435 882302
Possible Opening Hours*
*Opening times change. Always check the official website before you travel.
| Monday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Thursday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Friday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Saturday | 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
| Sunday | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM |
Visitor essentials
- Parking
- Free for National Trust members, non-members £4 per car; six 22kW EV charging points in the main car park
- Access
- Partly accessible grounds with steps, grass ramps and brick paths; steep slope into garden from reception (alternative drop-off by arrangement); wheelchairs to borrow; staircases to first floor
- Facilities
- Tea-room by the Mulberry Garden, Oast House shop, second-hand bookshop on ground floor, toilets/accessible toilet/baby-changing at visitor reception plus toilets by tea-room
- Dogs
- Dogs on short leads welcome in the garden and estate; assistance dogs only in the house, mill and shop
- Safety
- Some uneven paths; steep slope into garden from reception; stepped access to Park Mill; staircases to first floor
Bateman's is a 17th-century Jacobean house in East Sussex that was the home of author Rudyard Kipling, and reviewers say the sense of it as a genuine family home - quirky, well-loved furniture and humorous personal touches - comes through the moment you walk in. The grounds are well maintained and the working flour mill is a particular delight for visitors who get to see it running. One recurring gripe is the food, with several reviewers finding the cafe overpriced for what's on offer.
At a glance
Who to know
Rudyard Kipling · his home from 1902 until his death in 1936
Worth the trip
The working flour mill on the grounds, which reviewers describe as a real delight to see in operation.
Before you go
Reviewers consistently flag the cafe as expensive for what you get, so it may be worth eating before or after your visit rather than on site.
What visitors say
Bateman's reviews · 4.7 / 5 across 3,323 Google reviews
Reviewers consistently describe Bateman's as a home that still feels like the Kipling family's lived-in house, with well-preserved original interiors, a working flour mill, and knowledgeable, passionate staff and volunteers praised across multiple reviews. The gardens and grounds are repeatedly called beautiful and peaceful, with plenty of benches to sit and enjoy them.
The cafe is generally well regarded for its range and value, though one reviewer found the food pricey for what it was and felt the waiting staff were unfriendly. Reviewers also note the site can get very busy from mid-morning onwards, including school groups.
“Lovely historic house with beautiful gardens and very peaceful surroundings.”- Ala G., visitor review
Practical notes from visitors
Quoted from individual Google reviews, not verified with the operator - treat as a steer, not gospel, and check before you travel.
- Facilities
- “The cafe is cosy and the staff friendly and helpful and there is s good selection on snack, savouries and cakes along with hot meals.” - Barry Gannon
Common questions about Bateman's
Where is Bateman's?
Bateman's is in East Sussex, England, at Bateman's Ln, Burwash, Etchingham TN19 7DS.
Do you need a ticket to visit Bateman's?
Yes - Bateman's is a staffed, ticketed attraction run by National Trust. Ticket prices and opening hours change through the year, so check the official site before travelling.
What is the highlight of visiting Bateman's?
The working flour mill on the grounds, which reviewers describe as a real delight to see in operation.
Is Bateman's a ruin or still intact?
Bateman's is largely intact - 17th-century Jacobean house that was the home of author Rudyard Kipling.
