Beetle wing dress

The dress was designed for the Victorian actress Ellen Terry to wear at the Lyceum Theatre as Lady Macbeth in 1888. John Singer Sargent painted her in it in 1889. It has been restored by the National Trust and is on display at her home turned museum at Smallhythe Place. It has beetle wing cases sewn in to give it an iridescent shine. All very fabulous!

The gardens with the orchard and ponds had a nice feel. We had a look round the church next door too.