Smallhythe Place
National Trust house in Kent that was the home of Victorian actress Ellen Terry, with a museum of her theatrical collection and a working Barn Theatre.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Smallhythe Place is a timber-framed house from the early sixteenth century, built when Smallhythe was a busy river port and shipbuilding centre. Over time the estate turned to farming, and a barn was added in the seventeenth century.
The Victorian actress Ellen Terry bought the house in 1899 and lived there until her death in 1928. Her daughter Edith Craig, a theatre director and campaigner for women's suffrage, opened the house as a museum in 1929 as a memorial to her mother. She also converted the barn into a small theatre, which still stages performances today. The National Trust supported Craig's running of the museum from 1939 and took over the property after her death in 1947.
The museum shows Ellen Terry's collection of theatrical mementoes, including scripts, props and costumes, with the rooms still furnished as the household knew them. The garden has a rose garden, an orchard and a long rose pergola, and the house is also remembered for the creative women who lived there, including Edith Craig, Christopher St John and Clare Atwood.
Highlights
- Ellen Terry Museum in the early sixteenth-century house
- Costume room with items from Ellen Terry's collection
- Seventeenth-century thatched Barn Theatre, the only working theatre in National Trust care
- Cottage garden with rose garden, orchard and a 55-metre rose pergola
- Writing hut used by Christopher St John
Permanent exhibitions
- Ellen Terry Museum – The early sixteenth-century house, arranged as a museum of Ellen Terry's life and career by her daughter Edith Craig, with personal and theatrical objects.
- The Costume Room – A display room with costumes from Ellen Terry's collection.
- Founded
- 1929
- Operated by
- National Trust
Admission & discounts
| Adults | £13 |
|---|---|
| Children & teens | £6.50free up to age 4 · Child ticket for ages 5 to 17; under 5s are free. |
| Families | £32.50Two adults and up to three children. |
| Family, one adult and up to three children | £19.50 |
Prices for house and garden without Gift Aid; with Gift Aid the adult price is £14.30, child £7.20, family £35.80 and one-adult family £21.50. Free entry for National Trust members.
Accessibility
- Partially wheelchair accessible
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking: not available
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
There are no allocated Blue Badge spaces, but Blue Badge holders can be dropped off at the main gate. A portable ramp gives access to the museum, tea room and toilets; ask at Visitor Reception. The ground floor of the museum is wheelchair accessible and access to the upper floor is restricted. Some garden paths are uneven with steps and may be difficult for wheelchair users. Two ponds in the garden are unfenced. Wheelchairs can be requested from staff. Dogs on leads are welcome in the grounds but not in the house or theatre.
Kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | £32.50 · Two adults and up to three children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Hands-on stations
The garden has room to explore, including a small orchard, and children can use dress-up clothes under the cow byre and colouring sheets in the tea room. Picnics are welcome beside the theatre.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Bus 312 runs between Rye and Tenterden. Rye station is 8 miles south via the B2082, Appledore station is 8 miles east and Headcorn station is 10 miles north.
By car
Free parking
Free parking in a lay-by about 50 yards from the house, below the property. More parking is at St John the Baptist's church car park, except on Sundays; access to the house is through the churchyard.
- Accessible parking: not available
The property is on the east side of Rye Road (B2082). Cycling information is on the National Trust page.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
The Theatre Tea Room next to the Barn Theatre serves drinks, cakes, light lunches and snacks. Toilets are in the garden beside the theatre, and picnic tables are beside the theatre.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
Plan your visit
| Good to know | The Beetlewing dress is not on display at the moment because it is resting for conservation. |
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