Wee Birdy: A week of Kent: Smallhythe Place

Wee Birdy is an exploratory field guide to the hidden gems in London and Sydney and sparkling treasures on the (online) horizon. Selected as one of the Top 50 Design Blogs in the World by Times Online, as well as one of the Top 100 Blogs in the World by The Sunday Times, Wee Birdy is edited and written by former magazine editor Top Bird. Top Bird recently spent three years in London, where she was Deputy Shopping & Style Editor at Time Out London, before returning to her Sydney nest. A self-confessed bird nerd, Wee Birdy explores the very best in shopping, style, fashion, beauty, design, interiors, craft and handmade.

September 01, 2009

A week of Kent: Smallhythe Place

The former home of Victorian actress Dame Ellen Terry, this 16th-century cottage features marvellously wonky floorboards as well as a startling array of theatre memorabilia that Terry had fastidiously collected in true magpie-style over her lifetime. Truly a woman after my own heart!

The old theatre costumes and props were fascinating, but I really loved looking at her more personal items, like the meticulous sewing kit she kept as well as her dressing table, laid out with trinkets and hair brushes.

The English cottage garden was also a delight, with big, old-fashioned roses and an orchard out the back. Don't miss the small National Trust second-hand book stall in the garden - I stumbled upon some excellent vintage Ladybird and wildlife books.

Smallhythe Place
Smallhythe, Tenterden
Kent TN30 7NG
Tel. 01580 762334

1 Sep 2009 16:17:15 | Best of Britain, Kent, Out and about in the UK

8 Comments

Looks and sounds delightful!

Posted by: Make Do Style | September 01, 2009 at 06:50 PM

Looks divine - very English indeed. Reminds me of Howards End.

Posted by: Deb | September 01, 2009 at 09:22 PM

I've been enjoying your blog, thanks for the insights into Kent - I've lived there for 20 years and these are places I haven't ventured. Looking forward to exploring some of them myself :)

Posted by: Jo | September 02, 2009 at 12:02 AM

If only I'd known you were in the area I'd have baked a cake! This is very local to me, it's a great area for walking, and of course the vineyard just along the road is also worth a visit...and maybe a taste?

Posted by: heather | September 02, 2009 at 09:04 AM

We're loving your summer travelogue! You have a great eye for spotting gorgeous places and things...

Posted by: Country Days | September 02, 2009 at 10:53 AM

Gorgeous house. Interesting that you mention Ellen Terry - she has a very small bit part in the book I'm currently reading, as a friend of Lewis Carroll.

Posted by: Fionnuala | September 02, 2009 at 11:14 AM

Being a theatre person myself (I edit a theatre industry magazine and am a producer), I would have loved to see photos of those memorabilia and props, but I imagine photos inside were not allowed. But the outside of the house is intriguing enough to imagine all the treasures inside!

Posted by: Karen | September 03, 2009 at 05:50 AM

Ooh, Mrs Dalloway is going to be my holiday book this year, must try to get this version, as that cover is gorgeous!

Posted by: Delicious Industries | September 03, 2009 at 12:11 PM

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