Summer holidays at Smallhythe Place

The house and garden in June at Smallhythe Place

This summer holiday get involved at Smallhythe Place and discover new exhibitions, the history of the house and our kids craft activities on offer. Wander through the garden in its summer glory, or treat yourself to an evening of theatre with open-air performances and productions in our historic Barn Theatre.

Activities for younger children

Across the summer holidays, we are running nature-themed arts and crafts for our younger visitors. Shelter under the cow byre and get creative in the beautiful summer garden with our volunteers. Materials will be available every Wednesday (25 July- 29 August), 2-4pm to keep your little ones busy. Parental supervision is required.

A young child doing arts and crafts at Smallhythe Place

'50 things to do before you're 11¾' at Smallhythe Place

The garden at Smallhythe Place is a great place to tick off some of your ’50 Things’ activities. What will you find on your visit?

  • Discover what hides in the banks of our recently rejuvenated pond. Full of life and colour, it's the perfect spot for all sorts of wildlife to bask in the sun or make a home.

  • Our bug hotels, log piles and rockeries are a great place to hunt for bugs and hold a scary beast, or to find some snails to race.

  • Go bird watching and follow our resident swallows swooping in and out of the Theatre Tea-room and across the bright skies.

  • Relax amongst the colourful flowers in the garden and find daisies to make daisy chains.

  • Create some wild art with fallen petals from flowers or leaves from our garden, acorns from the oak trees and greenery and twigs from our hedges.

Children making daisy chains at Smallhythe Place

Discover Smallhythe's History

Smallhythe Place is full of hidden secrets, history and unique artefacts. Grab one of our House, Property or Shipbuilding quizzes from Visitor Reception and see what you can learn as you explore the house and grounds. For our littler visitors we have an interactive spot sheet, let your young ones lead you around the rooms and see what they can find.

Two young boys filling out the property quiz at Smallhythe Place

Picnic O'Clock

Picnics in the garden are welcome at Smallhythe. Enjoy the sunshine and fill your hamper with your favourite goodies from home, relax on our new picnic benches by the pond or get comfy on a blanket and take in the views. Or you can treat yourself to something tasty from our Theatre Tea-room, serving hot and cold refreshments from 11am-4.30pm. From sandwiches and platters to delicious cakes and ice creams, perfect to cool you down on those hot summer days.

 

Visitors enjoying a picnic in the gardens at Smallhythe Place

Theatre for all the family

The Barn Theatre hosts a diverse array of productions throughout our open season, including open-air shows. Join us for an evening of theatre this summer, and relax in the tranquil gardens with a picnic before the show.

An audience enjoying an outdoor performance of 'Wind in the willows' at Smallhythe Place

Summer Theatre at Smallhythe Place 

There is theatre for everyone this season at Smallhythe Place. From open-air productions of Peter Pan and As You Like It, to other Shakespeare classics, comical new writings and award-winning shows performed in the Barn Theatre, it’s a great opportunity to do something different with the family.

Celebrate the suffrage movement with our new Women and Power exhibition and displays

Ellen Terry and Edy Craig at Smallhythe Place

'Triumphant Women' at Smallhythe Place 

2018 marks the 100 year anniversary of women achieving the vote. Across the Trust, we are exploring the stories and impact of women at the special places we care for in our Women and Power programme. Find out about the powerful women of Smallhythe Place and their roles in the suffrage movement.

These events happened in Summer 2017, and are now finished.