Smallhythe Place

Important notice -

In line with government guidance, the outdoor spaces only at Smallhythe will be open for local visitors on Saturdays and Sundays. Please book your visit in advance. The tea room is closed, please bring your own refreshments.

Ellen Terry's early 16th-century house and cottage gardens

Please book ahead before visiting Check availability

More about this place

Visitors walking through a garden in spring

Visiting this spring 

Our gardens, parks, cafés, shops and countryside locations are open to visit. Subject to government confirmation, we're planning to reopen houses in England and Wales from 17 May, and in Northern Ireland from 24 May. Advance booking for visits helps us keep everyone safe and socially distanced. At quieter times such as weekdays, booking shouldn't be necessary, but to guarantee entry we recommend booking in advance, especially at weekends and bank holidays. Please check the property webpage before you visit and follow government guidance.

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Smallhythe Place

What's on

A visit on a rainy day

Please book ahead before visiting  

The garden and toilets at Smallhythe will re-open from 10 April on Saturdays and Sundays. We've introduced advanced booking to keep everyone safe and maintain social distancing. All visitors will need to book their tickets by 3pm the day before your visit, members can book for free while non-members will need to pay for booking. We'll be releasing tickets every Friday. Please note that the café is closed.

Upcoming events

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Timed entry to Smallhythe Place (3 May - 9 May)

Sun 09 May 2021
11:00-16:30
Book your timed entry to visit Smallhythe Place.

Timed entry to Smallhythe Place (15 May - 16 May)

Sat 15 May 2021
11:00-16:30
Book your timed entry to visit Smallhythe Place.
The house and garden through the trees and daffodils at Smallhythe Palce

What to expect from your visit 

The garden and toilet facilities are open. We've introduced advance booking to keep everyone safe and maintain social distancing, please pre-book all tickets.

Detail of the Beetle Wing dress

'Beetle Wing Dress' 

Behold this dazzling, emerald-green dress embroidered with iridescent beetle-wing cases, worn by Ellen Terry in the role of Lady Macbeth. Smallhythe Place, Kent.

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Smallhythe Place

History

A boat on a waterway in 1905

Shipbuilding at Smallhythe Place 

It is believed that Smallhythe Place may have been inhabited by one of the portreeves of the River Rother that once flowed through Small Hythe. This was an important waterway that had a thriving medieval shipyard; both Henry V and Henry VIII had large ships built here.

Edy, Chris and Clare at Smallhythe Place

Smallhythe Place: a creative ménage à trois 

Queer history and pioneering spirits: meet the three women of Smallhythe Place who found refuge in this corner of the Kent countryside to express their art, gender and sexuality, living together in a ménage à trois.

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Smallhythe Place

Art and collections

Our collections

Explore the objects and works of art we care for at Smallhythe Place on the National Trust Collections website

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© National Trust Registered Charity 205846 Heelis, Kemble Drive, Swindon SN2 2NA

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