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Smallhythe in Kent

Google map showing area surrounding Smallhythe
(The Ellen Terry Museum)
Location: 51.038130,0.699390
General Details
Timbered building.Smallhythe in Kent lies about 5 miles south of Tenterden on the B2082.

Believe it or not, this tiny hamlet used to be a flourishing port and a centre for ship-building! Timber from the Wealden Forests was collected in Tenterden , then sent to Smallhythe for the building of ships. The River Rother flowing past here was of sufficient width and depth to accommodate the main warships of the period. The shipyards became famous from the 14th to the middle 16th century.

One of Henry VIII's warships 'The Grand Masters' was built in the shipyards of this port, and in 1537 Henry VIII visited the construction site to view the building of this great vessel.

The direction the river Rother takes now is quite different to that which it used to take before the 13th century. Nowadays the river doesn't even flow through Smallhythe , it flows from Newenden to Rye .

In the 13th century it used to flow past Smallhythe , around the Isle of Oxney to the sea at Appledore . By the end of the 16th century, the river had silted up so that only a small creek remained.

In 1514 there was a devastating fire that destroyed much of Smallhythe . The village was rebuilt along with one of the few buildings to survive into this century, Smallhythe Place. Smallhythe Place was built in the mid 15th century, originally as the Customs House for the port. The unusual red brick built church of St Mildred was built in 1516 just after the fire. It is believed that the bricks used in its construction came from the Low Countries.

The river Rother silted up in the early 17th century, and the property became a farmhouse.

In 1899 Dame Ellen Terry the famous actress purchased Smallhythe Place and occupied it until her death in 1929. The building was given to the National Trust in 1939 by Dame Ellen's daughter. Now as the Ellen Terry Museum, it houses a wealth of interesting articles and memorabilia from the late, great actresses life.
Views
Ellen Terry museum.The area around the Isle of Oxney is very beautiful especially during the summer. It is possible to park near to the Ellen Terry Museum, and visit its facinating collection of items from the great actresses life.

Without moving the car, walk up the road towards Tenterden, where you can see the brick church built after the village was burned down.

The levels across to the Isle of Oxney , are very relaxing to view.
Services
There are no services in Smallhythe in Kent , and therefore you need to travel to Tenterden for shopping, and eating.

The nearest trains run from Appledore , and are on the Hastings to Ashford line with hourly services.
Map
Smallhythe is shown as the red symbol on the map.

Nearby Villages

(click on symbol to see the village page)
Village= Town= Recorded in Domesday=
Appledore (Danes invade England)
3.90 miles
Beckley (Alfred the Great and Guns !)
4.47 miles
Benenden (One of Englands Top Girls Schools)
5.51 miles
Brenzett (St Eanswyth a saxon princess)
7.04 miles
Brookland (13th century wooden spire)6.52 miles
Ewhurst Green (Great Fire of London contributions)7.08 miles
Fairfield (The Isolated Church)4.87 miles
Hamstreet and Orlestone (The Start of the Ordnance Survey)7.00 miles
Iden (Sheriff of Kent and Jack Cade)
4.08 miles
Kenardington (Danes destroy Saxon Fort)5.12 miles
Newenden (Alfred the Great's Fort)
4.05 miles
Northiam (Prime Ministers D Day inspection)5.31 miles
Rolvenden (Witches stealing Holy Water)3.14 miles
Sandhurst (Escape from the Great Plague)
6.01 miles
Snargate (Sluice Gates made by Royal Order)6.22 miles
Stone in Oxney (Roman stone altar)3.17 miles
Tenterden (Centre of the Broadcloth industry)2.22 miles
Warehorne (A good place to explore the Marshes)
6.24 miles
Wittersham (Park your Airship here ?)1.89 miles
Woodchurch (Dragoons capture Smugglers)4.14 miles
Copyright Villagenet 1998-2024
 
Local Interest
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World War 2 Vehicle database
The Bald Explorer for local documentaries
Wealden Iron Research Group
The Rudes as lots of people call us, are an outdoor touring theatre company specialising in taking new & original theatre to mainly small rural communities and a few towns across the South of England. We were founded in 1998 & first toured in the Summer of 1999. Currently we tour only in the summer performing 50+ times nightly during June, July & August. https://therudemechanicaltheatre.co.uk
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Bexhill Museum
Roman, Saxon and Norman History of the South East
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