Naulakha's Annual Rhododendron Tour: Step Inside Rudyard Kipling's Vermont Home

If you’ve ever wanted to sit at the desk where Rudyard Kipling wrote The Jungle Books, now is your chance.

Every year in early June, the Landmark Trust USA opens Naulakha to the public for a rare self-guided tour, and this year’s event runs June 5 through 7, 2026.

Naulakha in the spring. Photo credit: the Landmark Trust USA

The Dummerston, Vermont, property is normally available only to overnight guests, so these three days are a special opportunity to step inside one of Vermont’s most storied historic homes.

What Is Naulakha?

Naulakha is a National Historic Landmark tucked into the hills of Dummerston, Vermont, just ten minutes from downtown Brattleboro.

Rudyard Kipling had the home built in 1892, and it’s where he wrote The Jungle Books, Captains Courageous, and portions of Just So Stories. The Landmark Trust USA has meticulously restored the property to reflect its appearance during Kipling’s time, so what you see today is about as close to the original as you can get.

The house sits at the top of a tree-lined driveway with sweeping views of the Connecticut River Valley below, and the grounds are something to behold in early June when the rhododendrons are at peak bloom.

What to Expect at the Tour

The self-guided daytime tour gives you access to the main house, the grounds, and several outbuildings that tell the fuller story of life at Naulakha during Kipling’s years in Vermont.

The Main House – Start here and work your way through rooms that have been restored to their historic appearance. Yes, you can sit at the actual desk where Kipling wrote some of the most beloved children’s stories in the English language.

The Naulakha Stable – Kipling’s horses, Nip and Tuck, were housed here. The stable has been recently rehabilitated and now serves as the Trust’s newest overnight rental, alongside a preserved historic section and a display on Kipling’s life in Vermont.

The Carriage House – This was once home to Kipling’s coachman, Matthew Howard, and his family. It’s a fascinating glimpse into the estate’s working life.

The Rhododendron Tunnel – This is the showstopper. A rhododendron tunnel stretching the length of a football field runs across the property, and when it’s in bloom in early June, it’s one of the more spectacular sights in southern Vermont.

The Clay Tennis Court – Located below the main house, this is believed to be one of the first clay tennis courts built in Vermont. Worth a look just for the history.

The Front Lawn – Bring a picnic. The views from the sloping front lawn are excellent, and there’s no better way to soak in the setting.

Your ticket provides access to the grounds for the entire day. The time slot you select at checkout is specifically for entry to the main house, which helps keep things moving smoothly inside.

The Friday Evening Cocktail Party

The beautiful rhododendrons at Naulakha. Photo credit: Naulakha in the spring. Photo credit: the Landmark Trust USA

If you want a more intimate experience, the Friday evening Cocktail Party on June 5 at 6:00 pm is worth considering. Tickets include everything the daytime tours offer, plus hors d’oeuvres, signature cocktails, wine, and beer. It’s a lovely way to experience the property with fewer people around, and the setting is hard to beat on a summer evening.

Supporting the Naulakha Campaign

This year’s event carries a little extra meaning. The Landmark Trust USA is currently raising funds for the Naulakha Campaign, a preservation initiative focused on replacing the main house’s aging cedar roof and developing a comprehensive drainage solution for the property.

At the event, you’ll have the chance to “sponsor” an individual cedar shingle and have your name written on it before it goes onto the roof. It’s a tangible way to contribute to the long-term future of this historic place.

About the Landmark Trust USA

The Landmark Trust USA is a southern Vermont-based nonprofit that preserves historic properties through short-term vacation rentals and public programming.

The model is a smart one: rental income funds ongoing preservation, which means every stay directly supports the mission. The Trust currently maintains six beautifully restored Vermont properties, all available as whole-house rentals sleeping two to eight guests. Properties are fully furnished with well-equipped kitchens, bed and bath linens, and WiFi.

Naulakha itself sleeps eight across four bedrooms and starts at $595 per night. If you’re planning a group trip, a family reunion, or even a writers’ retreat in southern Vermont, it’s hard to think of a more interesting place to stay.

The Landmark Trust USA is part of a larger family of like-minded organizations, including the Landmark Trust in Great Britain and the Irish Landmark Trust, all operating on the same philosophy of sustainable stewardship.

Plan Your Visit

Dummerston is an easy drive from Brattleboro, which has plenty of great restaurants, brewpubs, and things to keep you busy before or after the tour. Check out our guide to the best things to do in Brattleboro for ideas on making a full weekend of it.

A few things to note before you go: timeslots for the daytime tours often sell out well before the event, and the Friday cocktail party tickets go even faster. All sales are final, so plan accordingly. Dogs are not permitted on the grounds during the tour.

Tickets are available now on the Landmark Trust USA website. If you’ve been looking for a reason to explore southern Vermont this June, this is a pretty good one.