William Cowper and John Newton
'Visit the house in Olney where one of England's favourite poets William Cowper lived for twenty years, and imagine domestic life as he experienced it in late-Georgian times.'
'Enjoy his garden and the celebrated summer-house where he wrote, and where he used to meet his neighbour, the preacher and former slave trader John Newton, author of the hymn Amazing Grace.'
Welcome to the Cowper & Newton Museum
Welcome to Orchard Side House
Find out here what delights we have in store for you when you visit to relive Georgian life with us in our 18th century town house.
Flower & Summer House Gardens
Visit our tranquil & historic Gardens. William Cowper was an innovative gardener at a time when seeds & plants were arriving from North America. Find out more here, including a plan of the gardens.
A Peek Inside Orchard Side House
Take a peek inside Orchard Side House as we begin to unveil some of our hidden secrets. Visit the ‘Welcome’ page for a short guide to the other delights we have in store for you during your visit.
August in the Three Hares Gallery
‘Olney on Canvas’ is the title of the new exhibition by local resident and artist Philip Compton Farquharson. Philip’s studies of buildings in both Olney and Yardley Hastings reflect the unique character of this area. Admission free.
John Newton’s Straw Work Box
An apparently unprepossessing artefact, a straw work box, was taken to a filming of BBC’s Antiques Roadshow last Summer at Wrest Park.
Family Fun
Family fun trails, challenges and fun things to do all year round for families at the Cowper & Newton Museum. Find out about our Summer Family trail – Georgian Party Time.
Georgian Dancers of Amazing Grace
Georgian Dancers of Amazing Grace – a dance group from the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney.
A reminder of some of our activities:
Visit throughout the Year our Glorious Gardens at the Cowper & Newton Museum
