Lowewood Museum
Cedars Green

Yew House in Hoddesdon

Created 21 June, 2008

Yew HouseThere is no record of when Yew House was built but it contained traces of 17th century work. It was refronted in the early part of the 19th century. The garden had its own well, with a supply pipe from Rawdon House. In 1790, it was the home of Edward Christian, a barrister and later Professor of Law at the East India College at Haileybury, who was also the brother of Fletcher Christian, leader of the mutiny on H.M.S. Bounty in 1789.

The house was named in 1800, from a yew tree which grew near the High Road. Here for a time lived two distinguished Admirals. From 1802-32, Admiral Peere Williams, High Admiral of the Fleet, who died at Hoddesdon in 1832, and later Admiral O'Brien, Rear Admiral, who gave his name to Admiral's Walk.

A rear view of the house in 1962In 1904, the land around Yew House came onto the market and was opened out for building under the name of Yewlands Estate. A new road was made with a branch down to Admiral's Walk and a number of nice villa residences were built.

The house was sold on the 21st March 1962 and demolished soon afterwards. The site is now occupied by Cedar Green.

Last updated: 19 July, 2008