27 Malta Road, Priory Cottage, Cambridge

History of 27 Malta Road

In 2026 MB sent us this detailed overview of the site:

Overview: Priory Cottage stands as a unique example of the late-Victorian development in Romsey. While many houses in the terrace follow a standard narrow footprint, No. 27 is significantly wider, with a frontage of 17 feet. This extra width allows for a double-windowed front bedroom upstairs—a feature that distinguishes it from its single-windowed neighbors.

Timeline of Stewardship: The Build (1884): The house was built by local bricklayer William Taylor. Original deeds show Taylor signed with an “X” mark, highlighting the skilled but often formally uneducated tradesmen who built this part of Cambridge.

The Naming: It was named “Priory Cottage” by its first owner, James William Prior, a name it has retained for over 140 years.

In June 1927, it was purchased for £200 by Walter Driver, a retired Railway Station Master.

In 1947, ownership passed to Arthur Walter Driver, a painter and decorator.

Occupational Heritage: The documents for no. 27 highlight the “Railway Colony” nature of Malta Road, moving from a Station Master to a Painter and Decorator, and involving family members with backgrounds in motor engineering and timber supervision, painting a picture of the skilled working-class history that defined Romsey Town through the late 19th and 20th centuries.

1884 Built by William Taylor

Named Priory Cottage by first owner, James William Prior.

1901 –

1913 Fred Gawthrop, bricklayer’s labourer

1927 Walter Driver

1939 Arthur W Driver, labourer

1947 Arthur Walter Driver

1962 Arthur W Driver