Newson Garrett

Engineer, entrepreneur, developer, Aldeburgh Alderman, Mayor & so much more!

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Newson Garrett (1812-1893), son of Leiston agricultural engineering giant, Richard Garrett, returned from London with this family in 1840 to seek health, more wealth and happiness near the coast in Suffolk. An entrepreneur and shrewd businessman he bought first bought a brickworks, then set about making his money and his mark. The rest is Aldeburgh history.

Newson quickly settled into life by the River Alde and started building his business in earnest. After acquiring the Aldeburgh brickworks, he bought a merchants/shipping business at Snape Bridge.

He built a redbrick maltings there and went on to double its size as his success grew.

The confident businessman immersed himself in Aldeburgh life. In his lifetime he served as Mayor, Alderman, Justice of the Peace, lifeboatman and was the town’s first County Councillor.

Newson had a vision of revitalising the Regency resort of Aldeburgh by enticing the railway … conveniently via his Snape maltings!

Aldeburgh would need proper facilities to attract, serve and entertain its new guests and residents. These later included a concert and functions hall built to celebrate Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee.

Newson Garrett’s vision for Aldeburgh was an ambitious one. Together with engineer/developer Peter Bruff who had transformed the north Essex coast, he planned to extend Aldeburgh and make it a comfortable and attractive place to set up home and lead modern lives.

‘Aldeburgh New Town’ was to be an ‘all mod-cons’, 1880s des-res estate on Town Marsh Hill with proper sanitation and sports and social opportunities to lead a healthy and fulfilled life.

Land was drained in preparation for the new development. Amenities were planned and infrastructure put in place. Trees were planted.

But properties were only built years later – and mainly for Newson’s talented offspring.

Today, with its mature trees and grand villas Aldeburgh Park Estate is perhaps one of the town’s best-kept secrets.