Burwash is a beautiful historic village composed of lovely medieval buildings. It was a high spot for smuggling during the 18th and 19th centuries and several smugglers were buried in St Bartholomew’s churchyard. It also features the ancient Dallington Forest which has a steep-sided stream flowing through it creating an unusual habitat.
Burwash has a surprisingly rich history of famous residents. Cricketer Albert Relf was born in Burwash in 1874. Roger Daltrey, frontman for The Who, owns Lakedown fishery on the common, while residing in Holmshurst Manor country estate. Burwash also boasts of The Cure’s singer and founding member Robert Smith. It was also home to Ex-Prime Minister James Callaghan who lived on the outskirts of the village.
Burwash’s most famous resident, of course, is the prolific writer Rudyard Kipling who lived in the Jacobean mansion Bateman’s. During his time at Bateman’s he hosted many famous people including fellow authors Sir Henry Rider Haggard and Sir Kingsley William Amis. He was also visited by his cousin Stanley Baldwin who was Prime Minister for two years. Batemans is now owned by the National Trust and open to the public year-round. The mansion is set within 33 acres of beautiful gardens and hosts a working watermill as well as a lovely cafe. Bateman’s has featured in the film ‘My Boy Jack’ starring Daniel Radcliffe, a film about Kipling’s son who died fighting in the First World War. It is a fascinating historical site and well worth a day trip out.