Kipling's Puck walk around the Bateman's countryside
Bateman's was the home of author and poet Rudyard Kipling. The 300 acres of the countryside estate around the house influenced works such as Puck of Pook's Hill, Rewards and Fairies and many of his poems. In this 2.5-mile walk around the countryside you'll uncover some of the landscape that inspired his work.
Total steps: 12
Total steps: 12
Start point
Bateman's car park, grid ref: TQ671238
Step 1
Go to the visitor reception to enter the property. Admission charges apply for non-National Trust members.
Step 2
Follow the visitor route down through the orchard towards the Mulberry Tea-room and then follow signs to the mill.
Step 3
At the mill go through the gate to the right, at the edge of the millpond. Follow the footpath to the right and then bear left along the river.
Step 4
Go through the gate and after 55yd (50m) turn right over the footbridge.
Step 5
Follow the path through the field, passing the old oak and ditch. It's a sinuous and curving ditch that marks the line of a former water course and by its side is a large veteran oak that is probably around 250 years old. The ditch also marks the manorial boundary between the customary lands of Brightling Prebend and the manor of Burwash. Go through the gateway and turn immediately left.
Step 6
Go through another gate and follow the path.
Step 7
You will arrive at a tarmac road with a house on your left. Cross the road and follow the path through the field. Follow the path through the woods and go through the gate. You are now outside the Bateman's Estate.
Step 8
Cross the field and go through the gate.
Step 9
Follow the path through the field; Climb the stile and turn immediately left down the hill with the hedge on your left. Go through the kissing gate and follow the path around to the left through the woods.
Step 10
Go through the kissing gate and carry on straight ahead. The River Dudwell is to your right. Up the hill to your left as you come through the gate is a deserted trackway that used to run down towards the old Burwash Forge. Around 110yd (100m) on the right, cross the river and turn left.
Step 11
Pass through the gate and go straight ahead. After around 164yd (150m) turn left across a bridge and turn immediately right.
Step 12
Go through a kissing gate. After about 110yd (100m) you will find yourself at the footbridge you crossed at Step 4. From here, retrace your steps and return to the car park.
End point
Bateman's car park, grid ref: TQ671238
Trail map
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