Cowper and Newton Museum

The Cowper and Newton Museum
Orchard Side
Market Place
Olney
Buckinghamshire
MK46 4AJ
England

Website

www.cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

E-mail

house-manager@cowperandnewtonmuseum.org.uk

Telephone

01234 711516

Fax

0870 164 0662

All information is drawn or provided by the venues themselves and every effort is made to ensure it is correct. Please remember to double check opening hours with the venue concerned before making a special visit.
Cowper and Newton Museum
Guided tours icon Shop icon Library icon Study area icon Wheelchair access icon

The Museum was opened in 1900. The house called Orchard Side was at that time owned by Mr W. H. Collingridge and he was persuaded by Thomas Wright of Olney to give the property to the town of Olney as a museum. Thomas Wright was an Olney schoolmaster, local historian and a prolific author. Among his writings were biographies of Cowper and William Blake as well as editions of Persian poets such as Omar Khyam. Two of his most famous works are "The Romance of the Lace Pillow" and "The Romance of the Shoe Maker". He was instrumental in raising public awareness about Olney's heritage and was the first Custodian of the Cowper and Newton Museum.

Venue Type:

Museum, Gallery, Library, Historic house or home, Heritage site, Garden, parklands or rural site, Artist studio or collective

 Opening hours

5 March to 23 December:
Tuesday - Saturday
10.30 am - 4.30 pm


Also open ALL Bank Holiday Mondays, but closed Good Friday. However OPEN Shrove Tuesday (Pancake Day).

Winter Closure: Christmas, New Year, January and February.

Also closed Good Friday.

 Admission charges

Adults £5.00
Children under 16 - FREE
Parties of 12 people or more: £5.00 per head, £6.00 with pre-booked guided tour and garden only £1.50

Additional info

Disabled people are welcome. A portfolio of photographs of the exhibits in the upper rooms is available for those who find the steep stairs difficult to manage.

Free public car parks in Market Place, opposite museum, and Old Cattle Market, adjacent to musem.

Coach parties are welcome by prior arrangement. Please contact the Custodian on 01234 711516.

Collection details

Archaeology, Archives, Coins and Medals, Costume and Textiles, Decorative and Applied Art, Fine Art, Medicine, Natural Sciences, Personalities, Science and Technology, Social History

Key artists and exhibits

  • William Cowper - The famous 18th century poet, letter-writer and classical scholar.
  • Rev. John Newton - Cowper's spiritual mentor, author of "Amazing Grace"
  • Lacemaking - The local history of the industry.
Events details are listed below. You may need to scroll down or click on headers to see them all. For events that don't have a specific date see the 'Resources' tab above.
Cowper and Newton Museum

Night Caps and Bedtime Reading

18 May 2013 *on now

Take a guided tour around the Cowper and Newton Museum in Olney as part of museums at night, led by our gorgeously dressed Georgians! We will also be joined by novelist and journalist Lisa Gee. Refreshments available. Prior booking necessary.

Suitable for

  • 18+

When

7:30-10pm

Admission

TBC

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