Owlstone Croft, Newnham

History of Owlstone Croft

Owlstone Croft was formerly called Paradise garden. In 1740 it was taken over by Mr Rowe who specialised in forcing vegetables for the London market. His son Richard became associated with a Dutch bulb grower, became the leading grower of flowers and invented the hyacinth glass for growing bulbs in water only.

1795 the diarist Gunning recorded that the house was completely cut off in the great flood. Furniture was washed out of the house.

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In 1879 Major R Calvert, chief police constable, bought the estate.

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In 1881 the house was rebuilt with cottages.

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1913

Alfred Peart, alderman

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In 1914, A B Lassiter used it as a school for young women.

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1939

Theodore Fyfe, architect

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1947 the house was once again surrounded by flood water.

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There is an article about Owlstone Croft and Paradise island here:

https://www.queens.cam.ac.uk/visiting-the-college/history/college-facts/owlstone-croft-history

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The architect for the building was Edwin Bays (1843 – 1909).