Bateman’s | National Trust Building | Robertsbridge, East Sussex
Bateman’s is the much-loved family home of Rudyard Kipling; a charming 17th Century house nestled in the Sussex Weald near Robertsbridge.
Bateman’s is most famous as the family home of Rudyard Kipling, The rooms at Bateman’s remain much as he left them, including his book-lined study, but its history goes back further than that.
Built in 1634, tradition has it that Bateman’s was first owned by a Wealden ironmaster. There were several forges in the area, supplied by iron found in thick clots embedded in the local sandstone, so it is completely plausible. Kipling certainly believed and was inspired by the idea.
Rudyard Kipling could see beyond the shabby farmhouse that Bateman’s had become: its history never ceased to inspire him throughout the 34 years he lived here.
‘Behold us,’ he wrote in November 1902, ‘lawful owners of a grey stone, lichened house – A.D.1634 over the door – beamed, panelled, with old oak staircase and all untouched and unfaked.’
After Kipling’s death in 1936 Bateman’s passed to his wife Carrie. Following her death in 1939 the house and 330 acres of land were given to us as a memorial to her husband.
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