Batemans

Kipling and his wife created interiors that complimented the 17th century house. The heart of the house is the book-lined study, at the top of the stairs, where the writer worked. He sat at a 17th century walnut refectory table under the window and his writing tools, paperweight and pipe are still there. Kipling wrote some of his finest works here including 'If', 'The Glory of the Garden' and 'Puck of Pook's Hill', named after the hill visible from the house.

Bateman's also reflects the writer's strong links with the Indian subcontinent. There are oriental rugs in many rooms and the Parlour displays Kiplings collection of Indian works of art and artifacts. His bookplate shows a small figure reading on top of an elephant. Exhibition rooms contain manuscripts, letters and mementos of Kipling's life and work.

Kipling made his mark in the garden too where he planted the yew hedges and created a rose garden. He also made the pond with a concrete bottom that was shallow enough for his children and their friends to bathe and boat in. The pond is immortalised in the visitor's book where the letters FIP mean 'fell in pond'. Kipling's sundial is engraved with the words, 'It is later than you think'.

The garden runs down to the River Dudwell where, next to the mill, he installed a turbine and generator to provide electricity when he first came to the house. Today the mill is restored and used for grinding flour. Kipling's Rolls Royce is still at the house.