Introduction
In 1514 most, if not all, of the Smallhythe buildings were destroyed by fire. It is likely that the building of Smallhythe Place took place soon after this disaster and served as the Port House to the busy local shipyard.

Smallhythe Place is a timber framed house of a continuous jetty style built with two-storey accommodation using green oak cut from the local forest. The roof, which was always tiled, is of crown post construction. There are carved spandrels in the fine doorways and the close studding is carried on into the cross-passage. The interior shows none of the ostentatious moulding and crown-posts that were a sign of a well-to-do owner. In fact there are many features that suggest the building was never intended for an ordinary dwelling but served as the office for the then Harbour Master.

Ellen Terry buys Smallhythe
Ellen Terry, the Victorian actress, first saw and fell in love with Smallhythe Place in the late 1890's but she had to wait until 1899, when it was for sale, before she could acquire it. She lived in the house until her death in 1928.

Ellen was known as 'the Queen of the Theatre' - a title that everyone agreed was well deserved. She was known for her striking beauty; her light, graceful movements and her irrepressible gaiety and vitality; her intimate, sympathetic and poetic way of acting; and the extraordinary charm with which she captivated her audiences. She worked incredibly hard at the Lyceum, toured constantly at home and abroad and found Smallhythe Place offered the essential place in which to relax.

The Barn Theatre
After Ellen's death her daughter, Edith Craig, decided that a barn in the garden should be transformed into a theatre. In 1931 the Barn Theatre Society was established and was considered a dramatic centre for this part of Kent until the start of the Second World War.

The Barn Theatre is now a public venue. Click to the events directory to find out what's on at Smallhythe Place.

Given to the National Trust
Edith Craig gave Smallhythe Place to the National Trust in 1939.