Gardens to visit


Flowers and drama


Mid Kent Living’s Dawn Kingsford explores Smallhythe Place and its role as shipyard, farm and retreat to Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry…


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mallhythe Place may be small, but this 16th century cotage and garden packs a historic punch for its size.


Once one of the most significant shipyards in medieval England, it was then a simple working farm, and, later, a country retreat to esteemed Victorian actress Ellen Terry. Along with its colourful gardens, it is now a museum to her life, with its unique 17th century Barn Teatre adding to the drama of its theatrical past. The Shakespearean actress bought Smallhythe Place, near Tenterden, in 1899, as an escape from her busy life in London. She surrounded herself with family and friends - many esteemed thespians in their own right – as well as her theatre director daughter Edy Craig, who lived next door


in the Priest House. No less dramatic, Edy lived with housemates Christopher St John and Clare Atwood in a ménage a trois. Tose visiting Smallyhythe can learn more about their colourful lives and this mother and daughter’s efforts for the suffragette movement in an exhibition celebrating 100 years since women won the vote. It was Edy who created Te Barn Teatre in the grounds in 1929 as a way to keep her mother’s legacy alive and, today, it hosts a lively programme through spring and summer, including open-air performances. Ellen lived at Smallhythe until her death in 1928, filling her home with hundreds of her theatrical costumes, memorabilia and personal belongings that remain on show today.


Features at Smallhythe


Wildflowers Rose garden Nutery Ponds Orchard


Teatre tearoom


Triumphant Women exhibition until October 28


Smallhythe Place (TN30 7NG) is open Wednesday to Sunday, March to October 11am-5pm.


Tel: 01580 762334 National Trust © John Miller 24 Mid Kent Living www.nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place


National Trust © Arnhel de Serra


National Trust © James Dobson


Clippings from head gardener Guy Pullen


The gardens at Smallhythe Place - extending to nearly three acres - are tended by Guy Pullen, Matthew Mordaunt and 12 volunteers.


It boasts over 50 species of English rose, including the Ellen Terry (thought to be the only one of its kind in existence). Guy describes the planting scheme as “loose and ‘cotagey’, reflecting the actress’ relaxed and eclectic tastes”. “Wildlife is also important,” says Guy, “and at Smallhythe we have plenty of it, from ducks nursing eggs in the borders to Great Crested Newts in our ponds and Swallows in the barn.”


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