Osborne House Tour Review – Stepping into Queen Victoria’s Hidden Life at Isle of Wight, England

From Southampton, on the South coast of England, we took the Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry to East Cowes, a nice trip that will only take about 25 minutes. Then it’s a 5 minute ride, or half an hour walk if you’re up for it, to reach the impressive Osborne House, former home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Wondering what you can see and do at Osborne House Isle of Wight? Keep reading, because we are taking you on a personal tour!

 

 

Where is Osborne House?

Osborne House is located in the town of East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. This victorian house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and nice retreat on the countryside.

Victoria died here in January 1901, after which the house was given to the state, with a few rooms now open to the public as a private museum to the former Queen.

Albert designed the house himself and was inspired by an Italian Renaissance Palazzo, as the temperatures on the island are also very temperate and the views over the Solent reminded him o the Bay of Naples. London architect and builder Thomas Cubbit did an amazing job making Alberts dream a reality!

 

Here are some photos of our entry of Osborne House:

The grounds are quite big!

 

Why and How to Visit Osborne House?

Queen Victoria is the only woman ever to have ruled over a third of the earth, and in Osborne she had a life away from the bustle and prying eyes of London.

While there is nothing significant left of the original 18th-century house (other than the front porch), the building that you can now find is in incredible state. Many of the great paintings in the state rooms, and Queen Victoria’s belongings in the family rooms, are still owned by the Royal family and are looked after on their behalf by the Royal Collection Trust.

While walking through the building, you get the chance to peek into the private world of Victoria and Albert and their nine children in the nursery and family rooms.

Prince Albert’s private suite was kept by Victoria as it was in his lifetime, so many of the things he used at Osborne still lie where he left them!

I can recommend taking a guided tour, like we did, so you get all the background stories of the Royals and the items in the many rooms.

 

A Merry Osborne House Christmas!

A Young Queen Victoria Osborne House

Prince Albert at Osborne House England

Durbar Room Osborne House UK

 

Did you know the Christmas Card was invented by Queen Victoria, Isle of Wight?

 

 

Osborne House Swiss Cottage & Private Beach!

But it’s not just Victoria and Alberts house itself that’s impressive, the entire grounds around it are full with little treasures.

Other structures include a complete Swiss Cottage where the Royal children learned to garden. Here, you can find massive stables and all the amazing objects from the Royal Collection from around the world at the Swiss Cottage museum.

There is even a beach where the Queen could bathe in private!

 

Swiss Cottage at Osborne Isle of Wight England

 

 

Osborne House Facts

Osborne House Opening Times: Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Prizes: from 16.20 (adults) and 9.70 (kids)

 

Isle of Wight Facts

Visit Isle of Wight Website:  visitisleofwight.co.uk

Isle of Wight Accommodation: visitisleofwight.co.uk/accommodation

Red Funnel Ferries: redfunnel.co.uk

More Isle of Wight Attractions: thetraveltester.com/things-to-do-on-the-isle-of-wight

Visit Osborne House National Trust Touring Pass: visitbritainshop.com

Isle of Wight Tours to Book:

 

 

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