Smallhythe Place

The design of the house appears to be from the early 16th century and may have been built after a fire in the village of Small Hythe in 1514. The house was originally called 'Port House' and before the River Rother and the sea receded it was associated with the nearby thriving shipyard – in Old English hythe means "landing place". Changes to the flow of the Rother led to the silting-up of the channel and, eventually, the decline of the industry. The estate subsequently converted to agriculture after the late 17th century, at which point the barn was erected. The barn likely served as storage for both animals and crops, and was expanded during the 19th century.

The house was opened to the public by Terry's daughter Edith Craig in 1929, as a memorial to her mother, showcasing both personal mementos as well as letters collected from a national appeal after her mother's death. The National Trust supported Craig in her running of the museum from 1939, and took over the property when she died in 1947. It was designated as a Grade II* listed building by English Heritage on 8 May 1950. Smallhythe Place contains many personal and theatrical mementos, including two walls devoted to David Garrick and Sarah Siddons. Other exhibits include a message from Sarah Bernhardt displayed in the Dining Room, a chain worn by Fanny Kemble, Sir Arthur Sullivan's monocle…