Smallhythe Place

It is with enormous pride and delight that we announce Joanna Lumley OBE as the new Patron of the Barn Theatre at Smallhythe Place in Kent, the former home to Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry.

Amongst the many spring marvels at Smallhythe Place is the blossom. In their various shades of whites and pale pinks, six different varieties of blossom dominate the surroundings.

The museum at Smallhythe Place plays homage to the life and career of Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry. With over 9500 artefacts from her personal and professional life, the collection here explores her history and unravels hidden secrets of how she became an international celebrity.

The garden may be closed, but that doesn't stop us sharing its beauty. Ellen Terry's garden at Smallhythe Place is a haven for wildlife, roses, wildflowers and apple trees. Click here to read more and find out the most recent garden projects.

The recently conserved robes of Ellen Terry in her role as Portia in 'The Merchant of Venice' are now on display in the Lyceum room of Smallhythe Place.

Last winter, we said a temporary farewell to the iconic Beetlewing dress. To prepare it for its journey to London and then Boston in 2021, the dress is being removed for a year so it can rest and be properly condition checked before the complex process of transportation can begin.

At Smallhythe Place we are commemorating the history of our literary and thespian community to celebrate our LGBTQ heritage. In this vibrant, egalitarian, creative and artistic environment, they freely explored gender stereotypes and homosexuality.

Once the most highly paid actress in England, Ellen Terry bought Smallhythe Place in 1899 as her country retreat away from her busy life in London. She lived here until her death in 1928, creating many memories along the way.

In 2013 a hidden secret of Smallhythe Place was discovered, as House Steward Susannah Mayor uncovered a rare collection of paintings by artist, set designer and illustrator Pamela Colman Smith.

Learn about the Barn Theatre's past; with over 80 years of theatrical history and still counting, there's plenty to discover.

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.

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.