Their son Edward Joseph Lowe built an observatory at the house for meteorology and astronomy.

It was from the Highfield House Observatory that Edward Joseph Lowe published his meteorological observations as early as December 1843[4] and recorded the Aurora Borealis in October 1847.

[5] In 1880, Edward left[6] and in 1881 the house was put up for auction when it was described as a well-built Family Mansion, with complete outbuildings, extensive pleasure grounds, lake, walled kitchen garden, vineries, greenhouses, productive orchards and about 150 acres of beautifully undulated park and pasture land.

The house was put up for sale again in 1919[8] and was sold to Jesse Boot, 1st Baron Trent who donated the estate to the University.

The building now houses the Rights Lab, the Institute for Policy and Engagement and the Researcher Academy.