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Smallhythe Place

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A lovely 16th century half-timbered house once owned by actress Ellen Terry. The interiors showcase Terry memorabilia and historic theatre costumes. A thatched theatre is located in the grounds.

Smallhythe was built sometime shortly after 1514, probably as a Port House or Harbour Masdter's offices for the shipyard nearby. The house is a beatiful timber-framed building with a tiled roof. It is two stories high, with crown-post construction.

Ellen Terry
It was already three hundred years old by the time its most famous owner, actress Ellen Terry bought the property. Terry first saw Smallhythe in 1890, but it was not for sale, and she had to wait until 1899 before she could purchase it.

Ellen Terry was one of the most famous actresses of the age before films and television. She was probably comparable in terms of popularity with a modern Holywood film star. She was nicknamed 'The Queen of the Theatre', a tribute to her compelling stage presence. She did not inspire only theatre audiences; author Oscar Wilde wrote no less than three sonnets for her.

She travelled widely, and used Smallhythe as a peaceful refuge from the rigours of her professional life.

After Terry's death in 1928 a thatched barn in the garden was conveted into a theatre. The Barn Theatre is now a public venue for the performing arts, and hosts regular stage performances.

Surrounding the house and thatched theatre is an informal cottage garden and grounds containing an orchard, a small nuttery, and a rose garden.

The interior of Smallhythe is a delight; a half-timbered relic with undulating floors and wonderful period rooms. Almost the entire interior is filled with Ellen Terry memorabilia, from letters, diaries, newspaper clippings, to personal effects and an extensive exhibition covering her theatrrical career, including many of her collaborative roles with her frequent partner Henry Irving. Terry and Irving headlined theatrical events at the Lyceum in London for 20 consecutive years, alternating performances of Shakespeare with melodramatic roles. Memorabilia from that long collaboration is on display, as are posters, portraits of Terry in some of her most famous roles, and gifts from her many famous admirers.

Chief among the treasures on display are famous costumes worn by Terry for live performances. Among these is a costume designed by Laurence Alma-Tadema for her role as Imogen in Shakespeare's Cymbeline, and another designed by Pre-Raphaelite stalwart Edward Burne-Jones for her role as Guinivere in King Arthur. The most famous costume however is a beetle shell gown created for her role as Lady Macbeth. This glittering green costume was made famous in a painting of Terry by artist John Singer Sargent. It was a gown in 13th century style, of green slik and tinsel, sewn with real beetle wings to create an iridescent shimmer when she moved. Oscar Wilde commented that 'Lady Macbeth ... evidently patronizes local industries for her husband's clothes and the servant's liveries, but she takes care to do all her own shopping in Byzantium'.

NB As of this writing the original green beetle gown has been removed from display while it undergoes restoration. A copy is on display in its stead.

Smallhythe is a delightful Elizabethan house in a lovely rural setting. It would be well worth a visit even without its association with Ellen Terry, but the added interest provided by the displays on Terry's life and career makes this a really excellent place to visit.
Tenterden, Kent, England, TN30 7NG

About Smallhythe Place
Attraction Type: Historic Property
Location: 2 miles south of Tenterden, on the B2082
Website: Smallhythe Place
Email: smallhytheplace@nationaltrust.org.uk
Phone: 01580 762 334
Fax: 01580 762 334
National Trust
Location map
Smallhythe Place Photos
OS TQ892301

Nearest attractions Nearest Towns and Villages Nearest accommodation Nearest Tourist Information Centre

OS map Related Information Photos

Nearest Attractions Tenterden, St Mildred - 2.1 miles (Church) Tenterden and District Museum - 2.1 miles (Museum) Kent and East Sussex Railway - 2.2 miles (Family) Rolvenden, St Mary the Virgin - 3.1 miles (Church) Horne's Place Chapel - 4 miles (Historic Property) Hole Park - 4.1 miles (Garden) Newenden, St Peter - 4.7 miles (Church) Great Dixter Gardens - 5.4 miles (Garden)

Nearest Towns and Villages Tenterden - 2.1 miles away Rolvenden - 3.1 miles away Newenden - 4 miles away Appledore - 4.3 miles away Northiam - 5.5 miles away Benenden - 5.6 miles away Biddenden - 5.7 miles away Sandhurst - 5.9 miles away

Photos of Smallhythe Place

Smallhythe Place entrance

Flower border

Cottage exterior

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Nearest Accommodation to Smallhythe Place

Nearest Self Catering Cottages

The Beach House - 11.8 miles from Smallhythe Place Littlestone-on-Sea, Kent Sleeps: 6 Stay from: £475

3 Malthouse Cottages - 13.7 miles from Smallhythe Place Boughton Aluph, Kent Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £300

The Lodge - 15.8 miles from Smallhythe Place Dallington, East Sussex Sleeps: 3 Stay from: £300

More Self Catering near Smallhythe Place

Nearest Hotels

White Lion - 2 miles from Smallhythe Place Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £45.00

Best Western London Beach Country Hotel & Golf Club - 3.5 miles from Smallhythe Place Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £75.00

Little Silver Country Hotel - 3.6 miles from Smallhythe Place Tenterden, Kent Stay from: £60.00

More Hotels near Smallhythe Place

Nearest Bed and Breakfasts

Bishopsdale Oast - 4.1 miles from Smallhythe Place Biddenden, Kent From: £56.40

The Bell at Iden - 4.3 miles from Smallhythe Place Rye, East Sussex From: £33.00

The Mill House, Holmdale - 4.9 miles from Smallhythe Place Rye, East Sussex From: £40.00

More bed and breakfasts near Smallhythe Place

Tenterden
Tourist Information Centre
Town Hall
High Street
Tenterden
Kent
England
TN30 6AN
Tel: 01580 763 572
Fax: 01580 766 863
Email: tentic@ashford.gov.uk
Seasonal opening
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