Book Cowper & Newton Museum tickets for a historic day out in Olney
Step into one of Olney’s most fascinating historic attractions with tickets to Cowper & Newton Museum, the former home of celebrated 18th-century poet William Cowper and a place closely linked with John Newton, the author of Amazing Grace.
- Explore Orchard Side House, where William Cowper lived from 1768 to 1786
- Discover the story of John Newton, from his early life at sea to his role in abolition and Amazing Grace
- Wander through rooms filled with personal artefacts, Georgian objects, lace-making displays and local history
- Visit the Viper Barn and Courtyard before exploring the historic house and gardens
- Enjoy the Flower Garden and Summer House Garden, inspired by Cowper’s love of plants, poetry and peaceful corners
- Pop into the Museum Shop for unique gifts, handmade items, postcards, hare memorabilia and Amazing Grace keepsakes
Small from the street but full of stories inside, Cowper & Newton Museum is a brilliant day out for history lovers, literature fans, garden wanderers and anyone who enjoys discovering the people behind the past.
Explore the home of William Cowper, John Newton and the story of Amazing Grace
Cowper & Newton Museum sits in the historic market town of Olney, just a short distance from Milton Keynes, Bedford and Northampton. Inside Orchard Side House, visitors can walk through rooms that reveal the life, humour, friendships and creativity of William Cowper, one of the best-known poets and letter writers of the 18th century.
The museum also explores the powerful story of John Newton, including his early life, involvement in the slave trade, later role as a minister and abolitionist, and the writing of Amazing Grace in Olney. Together, Cowper and Newton created the Olney Hymns, making this quiet Buckinghamshire town part of a story known around the world.
Gardens, galleries, Georgian rooms and hidden stories all in one visit
Your visit can take you from the museum shop and Viper Barn through the Kitchen, Hall, Parlour, William Cowper’s Bedroom, rooms dedicated to John Newton and Amazing Grace, Georgian life displays, lace-making stories and the Three Hares Gallery.
Outside, the gardens bring a softer kind of magic. The Flower Garden includes plants introduced before 1800, while the Summer House Garden includes herbs, medicinal plants, fruit, vegetables and Cowper’s Grade II listed summer house, which he called his “verse manufactory”. It is a lovely spot to slow down, notice the details and let the day breathe a little.
Families can enjoy trails and dressing up, while visitors with a love of local history can discover Olney’s lace-making heritage, Georgian life, art exhibitions and the wider story of the town.
Book Cowper & Newton Museum tickets today and enjoy a thoughtful, story-filled day out in one of Buckinghamshire’s most characterful historic houses.