18 August 2016

Rudyard Kipling and Bateman's, Burwash, East Sussex



Already famous and much translated, Kipling bought Bateman's in Burwash, East Sussex, in 1902. The datestone above the main entrance states '1634'. As his fame (and fortune) increased, Kipling bought up surrounding property to evade curious sightseers.

A view of the hall, dark and impressive.

The sofa in the parlour is apparently inspired by the seventeenth century one at Knole.

At the bottom of the stairs is Patrick-Synge-Hutchinson's posthumous bust of Kipling.

The study, where Kipling would read and write.

And the day bed in the study, where he would think about his writing.

The dining room, with its leather wall hangings.

The former oast house was the servants quarters, now the NT shop.

One prominent feature outside the house is Kipling's 1928 Rolls-Royce Phantom.

In the garden:

'THIS STONE ORIGINALLY
MARKED RUDYARD KIPLING'S
GRAVE IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.
IT WAS LATER REPLACED
BY A LARGER TOMBSTONE
IN POETS CORNER'


Kipling's use of the old water mill (built in 1750 and extended in the 1830s) was to generate electricity by turbine.

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