Sunday, September 27, 2015

England, Day Nine, Part Three



This afternoon after having lunch at Bodiam Castle we are traveling to Smallhythe Place.  This is the lovely timber framed chocolate-box home of Ellen Terry who was a famous Victorian actress.  The home is in Weald of Kent near Tenterden.  Upon finding Smallhythe Place there is parking right out front of the home.





Smallhythe Place was built in the late 15th or early 16th century.  It was once the site of medieval ship building near the River Rother.  Ellen Terry bought this home in 1899 as a getaway from London.  Ellen Terry was the leading Shakespearean actress in Britain.  She would come by train to enjoy her time off from her busy schedule.




Edith Craig, Ellen's daughter, set up a museum in her mother's honor upon Ellen's death in 1928.  Along with the National Trust's help she ran the museum until her death in 1947 when they took over its care.  The home is full of Ellen Terry's possessions.  Let's go inside and look around.






The home is so old, but full of charm--undulating floorboards, huge beams and a rickety staircase.








There are many of her costumes from her plays in Smallhythe Place!  This is truly a museum of her work and life.




I'm sorry about the glare, but you can imagine a lot of her costumes are behind glass.  The painting of Dame Ellen Terry was done by Clare Atwood.  Yes, she was given the title of  Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire.

There was a lovely case of antique dolls.




The Liberty Dress










After seeing the inside of this incredible home, we wanted to look around at the gardens and the theatre that Ellen Terry's daughter built.




I love the espalier rose on the side of the building!




Another espalier rose.




I just love seeing these beautiful black faced sheep at Smallhythe Place.




To the back of Smallhythe Place Edith Craig (Ellen's Daughter) had a thatched roof theatre built.  The Barn Theatre regularly has Shakespearean plays that the public may attend.




Inside of the theatre we see another costume that has been recently restored.





Let's go back outside to view more of the gardens that surround Smallhythe.  Look at the back of the home.  As you can tell it's quite large.




There is a charming path to walk to the view the grounds.




The wild flowers along the path is typically English and quite charming.




The garden borders up to a lovely old Church.






As we left the garden we came upon this beautiful old well.  The beauty of Smallhythe Place will stay with our stored memories of the lovely chocolate box home of Ellen Terry.





26 comments:

  1. Ahhhh...here is something completely new to me...the actress and the home. Seems such a loving tribute from a daughter...this museum. I'm thinking, too, that writing about your journey helps seat it just that much better in your delightful memories.

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    1. Vee, this home reminds me so much of the homes we visited in the Lake District. Yes, writing about this trip has seated our memories. Grayden and I both have enjoyed reliving our journey through this medium. Thank you for sharing them with me. ♥

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  2. Beautiful! I am learning more about England through your journal than I ever imagined. Thank you so much. Aren't you totally amazed at how rickety some of these old buildings are, yet they are not only still standing, but perfectly liveable too? I love that the National Trust is helping to preserve such places and artefacts for the future. They do it so well. I love the small posy of hedgerow flowers on the tea tray, and I bet that Rugosa hedge smells amazing too. ~~~Deb xoxo

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    1. Deb, it is totally amazing to me that homes that are made of wood are still standing after 300 to 400 years---unbelievable. The National Trust has my respect and I'm so grateful to them and their work. I know they constantly need to raise funds for certain problems with their properties. It was so nice to see small arrangements of flowers in ALL of the properties we visited. Such a small touch adds so much-So lovely! The rugosa roses smelled just like I remember in gardens as a child. xoxo ♥

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  3. Oooo, love the blue tea set and that case of sweet antique dolls. The white climbing rose is so pretty. That church looks so old, and the grounds are beautiful. You know, the girls love to go to the old churches when they travel. They often go to mass and look upon the beauty and detail of these old historic churches. aahh, that wishing well made me smile. Who wouldn't want to make a wish in that old thing?

    Have a pleasant week, Martha Ellen.

    ~Sheri

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    1. Sheri, there were so many lovely dishes at Smallhythe. I've always been partial to blue and white dishes and there were some beautiful transferware ones there. Wouldn't it be nice to have tea together in that lovely room? The gardens and the grounds would be a lovely spot for a picnic.
      Enjoy your day! ♥

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  4. I love these kinds of tours where you can view the actual life the person lived. I wonder if there are any films made of her acting? Wouldn't that be interesting. I love the house and all the details. Thank you for going there so we could see it! Enjoyed the music you chose, too.

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    1. There probably is some film somewhere, Cathy. There are many "shorts" on Ellen Terry on Youtube. This home was charming. It is one of my favorites from this trip. ♥

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  5. Hi Martha! Oh, thanks for taking me along on this tour! I love things like this. The thatched roof on the theater reminded me of felt! :) what a lovely country and thanks for popping in to see me.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Shelia, the thatched roof did look like felt! So tight--I'm sure needed to keep it airtight and water proof! ♥

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  6. Thank you for all the hard work you are doing sharing your vacation with all of us!!!

    I am posponing my trip, but I will go to one of the other book signings. I don't have the book yet. I really want to see East Sandwich on the Cape. Sometimes I wish I would have stayed up in NE or lived on the other side of the tunnel near Williamsburg. I love the history. I used to go out once a month to Portsmouth, NH and walk around on the cobblestones in the evening. No one around late at night and I found some secret or not so secret passage ways. It reminded me of Europe.
    Margot

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    1. Hi Margot, I've always thought it would be difficult to have to deal with the Hampton Roads Tunnel if one lives south of it. I've lived my whole life in VA and can't imagine living anywhere else--oh maybe extended visits to favorite places we've travelled would be nice--especially England! It has been wonderful reliving our time there. Thank you for sharing my journey. ♥

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  7. Great photos, so full of charm and history.
    Amalia
    xo

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    1. Amalia, Smallhythe was quite charming. Thank you for visiting with me. ♥

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  8. How lovely!! It is remarkable that so many of the places you visited have homes that are wonderfully preserved. So much history! So many stories!

    Thank you for taking me to Smallhythe, Martha Ellen. I love tagging along with you! ;)

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    1. Thank you for not growing tired of my ramblings on, Cheryl. ♥

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  9. I only have a few minutes to peek in, leaving town again. But, oh, I love this house full of personality. I will revisit and comment when I have more time to take it all in. That well!

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    1. Jeri, Smallhythe was a place I know you would have enjoyed. It was so charming and so surprising to us. Have a lovely fair! ♥

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  10. OMGOSH!!! What a tour! I would love to see this place in person and am ashamed to say I never heard of this actress. I love that her daughter preserved so many of her things and that the public is allowed to see it all. The grounds (and barn) are as beautiful as the old house is. xo Diana

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    1. Diana, we learned about Ellen Terry as we prepared for this trip to England. I had read Susan Branch's A Fine Romance and she mentioned Smallhythe Place and Ellen Terry. It was such a unique and charming home. Thanks for sharing it with me, Diana. xo ♥

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  11. You found the most fascinating places to visit, Martha Ellen! That would have been a fun one. And I'm so glad you included the photo with the sheep! :-)

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    1. Judy, the National Trust sites were wonderful. The sheep in England were just beautiful--I know you love them like I do! ♥

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  12. Hi Martha! I think I see something different each time I pop over! Thanks again for coming to visit me and we got to visit a beautiful country didn't we? I feel so blessed. Hope you have a great weekend.
    Be a sweetie,
    Shelia ;)

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    1. Visiting England was indeed a blessing, Shelia. Enjoy your weekend. ♥

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  13. The house appears to undulate along the roof-lines too! It almost looks like a ship from the outside. What a jolly place with all the beams and cooking fireplaces. I love the garden sign and all the treasures within and without, another unforgettable visit for you. It is one of my favorites that you have posted.

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    1. The house was a little wonky, Jeri. Smallhythe is so old, I'm surprised these old places are still standing! It's one of my favorites also! Thanks for coming along with me. ♥

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