Smallhythe Place

Important notice -

The garden and toilets are currently open. From 19 May the house and garden will be open Wednesday-Sunday every week. Please book your visit in advance to avoid disappointment. The tea room is closed so please bring your own refreshments with you.

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. Houses in England and Wales will reopen from 17 May and houses in Northern Ireland are expected to reopen 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

Smallhythe Place side of the house with lavendar

Please book ahead before visiting  

The garden and toilets at Smallhythe are currently open on Saturdays and Sundays. From Wednesday 19 May the indoor spaces will re-open with new social distancing measures in place. 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

See all events

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

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

Timed entry to Smallhythe Place (19 May - 23 May)

Wed 19 May 2021
11:00-17:00
Book your timed entry to visit Smallhythe Place.
The Barn Theatre at Smallhythe Place, the home of actress Ellen Terry from 1899 to 1928 at Tenterden, Kent

What to expect from your visit 

The garden and toilet facilities are currently open. From Wednesday 19 May the indoor spaces will also be re-opening with social distancing measures in place. 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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