Last updated: 17 July 2023
Did you know that Osborne House on the Isle of Wight has an important connection to the Royal family? It was the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The royal couple tried, where possible, to spend their birthdays and special occasions at Osborne House. This means that there is no better time to board a ferry and go explore Osborne House Isle of Wight.
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Located a short 2 hour train or ferry trip from London on the relaxing Isle of Wight is former royal holiday residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, Osborne House. It’s not surprising that the Isle of Wight was selected as the location of Osborne House given that the island is an all-year round holiday destination favoured by tourists and locals alike. Boasting beautiful sandy beaches, fresh seafood, and inspirational sunsets, it’s a holiday makers dream.
Let’s Visit Osborne House
If you’re planning a weekend or short break and thinking about things to do on Isle of Wight then you’re in luck because if you’re a self-confessed fan of the Royals or perhaps you just have a love of history then you’re going to love the Isle of Wight for the simple fact that you can explore visit and explore Osborne House, the summer residence of Queen Victoria, Prince Albert, and their 9 children.
Roma and I partnered with Red Funnel Ferries which allowed us to explore many parts of the island including a visit to Osborne House. If you’re a regular reader of Roaming Required then you know that I love my history (remember our visit to site of the Siege of Bastogne and to the site of the Battle of Hurtgen Forest?) so I for one couldn’t wait to discover the history of Osborne House.
Like most overseas visitors to the UK, I hadn’t heard of Osborne House before setting foot in the grand halls however if you’re a fan of the many TV shows and films about Queen Victoria, such as the popular series Victoria, then you’ve probably not only heard the name Osborne House but suffice to say that probably have an interest in the fascinating life of Queen Victoria.
Osborne House – A Short History
I learned so much during our visit to Osborne House that I’d love to share some of the interesting facts with you throughout the rest of the post. Get ready for your first interesting fact…
Osborne House Fact #1
The area where Osborne House is located today has been known as Osborne for over 1000 years, believed to be named after a nearby oyster bed. The microclimate of the Isle of Wight made it the perfect location for a regal summer residence fit for a Queen and her Prince Consort.
Osborne House Fact #2
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert built Osborne House as their private family residence, a home where they could be a family first and away from the regal duties required in London. Constructed between 1845 and 1851, the landscaping and design was overseen by Prince Albert himself.
Osborne House Fact #3
Unlike the Crown Estates of Buckingham Palace, Windsor Castle, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Osborne House was funded by the Monarch’s personal funds and therefore was privately owned. Side note: One interesting fact is that since Buckingham Palace is part of the Crown Estate (government-owned), any repairs to it should be funded by the state.
A walk through the Osborne House gardens revealed a variety of carefully chosen plants and flowers, all individually selected by the Prince Consort during a enormous landscaping project which included the shaping of the surrounding earthworks and resulted in sharply defined valley, reminiscent of the Mediterranean. There are even stories of Prince Albert standing atop Osborne House with flags in hand directing his gardeners to where certain trees should be planted. Nothing was left to chance.
When Prince Albert died in December 1861, at the very young age of 42, Queen Victoria was plunged into the depths of deep depression and wore the mourning black for the rest of her life.
Where Did Queen Victoria Die?
After 39 years of mourning, Queen Victoria passed away in the upstairs bedroom of Osborne House in January 1901. The various estates, residences, and palaces which belonged to the monarchy passed to their eldest son, King Edward VII, who made the decision to to sell Osborne House to the government.
Osborne House Sale Conditions
There were 3 conditions for the sale ;
- The public would only be allowed to tour the ground floor rooms
- There was to be 50 years of mourning where only royalty would be allowed to visit. 50 years was selected as the timeframe to ensure that the Queen’s youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, would be over 100 year old and no remaining direct family would still be alive when it was to be opened to the public
- The establishment of a junior naval officer training college
Osborne House Guided Tour
If you’re planning a visit to Osborne House then I strongly suggest taking a guided tour because the amount of information covered can only be described as comprehensive, you know I loved every minute of it!
Our very informative guide, Charlotte, dressed in traditional costume led the group through the various rooms and explained some fascinating history whilst I furiously took notes. We visited during the Christmas season so the following photos have a distinctly festive feel.
The hour long tour will provide you with a wealth of information, an understanding of the elements in each of the ground floor rooms, and the opportunities to take photos. I’ve been other tours where the number of visitors impacted the overall experience but very happy to advise that this wasn’t the case at Osborne House – it also helped that some of the rooms were quite grand so there was ample space to spread out whilst still being able to listen to our guide.
Osborne House Fact #4
There are two portraits during the start of the tour; one of Queen Victoria and and one of Prince Albert.
They’re not painted on canvas but rather on porcelain which gives them both an almost lifelike appearance. The paintings are fixed to the wall and the golden frame hangs around them. These portraits just captured my imagination. The detail and intricacies of the artwork were sublime, the colour and the subtlety of their features were incredible, and their fragility was evident in that Prince Albert’s portrait was cracked in two.
Osborne House Fact #5
It is well known that Prince Albert loved Christmas and has long been credited with the introduction of the Christmas tree to England however that’s not true! It was Queen Charlotte, wife of King George III who was responsible for its introduction.
Osborne House Fact #6
It may not look like it but this billiards table is two inches higher than regulation height, weighs a total of two tonnes, and is constructed entirely out of slate.
One theory about its specific dimensions is that it made it ideal for both Queen Victoria (4ft 11) and Prince Albert (5ft 7in) to play without exerting themselves…or standing at an improper angle
Osborne House Fact #7
Did you know that Queen Victoria and Prince Albert had their very own private beach? Yes, located a short 15 min stroll from Osborne House is a secluded private beach where you can actually see the outline of Portsmouth in the distance.
On the day we visited it was grey and overcast but the tranquil beach with turquoise water still managed to seem inviting. One of the benefits of visiting during the off-season is that I had the entire beach to myself (maybe 5 min max before other visitors arrived) which was lovely and tranquil.
Did you know that located a short walk from Osborne House is the Swiss Cottage, an Alpine-styled chalet created for Queen Victoria and Price Albert’s nine children? It was their own little world where the children could play and, as envisioned by Price Albert, where they could learn the necessary skills to become great rulers.
Unfortunately this was one place that I didn’t get the opportunity to visit however on my next visit to Osborne House I shall be including a visit to the Swiss Cottage to my list.
Why Visit Osborne House?
If you’re visiting the Isle of Wight then add Osborne House to your itinerary because it’s a must-visit, there’s something that everyone can appreciate. From strolling through the immense halls constructed for, and used by, the former Queen of England, to standing on a private beach and travelling back in time, to looking at immaculate artwork and spotting them on TV next time you’re watching Victoria.
Oh, speaking of which, if you’re a fan of film then you’ll appreciate that the Dame Judi Dench and Ali Fazal 2017 film, Victoria and Abdul, was filmed at Osborne House. In order to ensure authenticity, the film obtained special permission to have the protective carpets rolled up to be allowed to film on the original tiles (although the actors needed to remain barefoot).
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The Essentials
- Location: York Ave, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JX
- Cost: English Heritage Members FREE, Adults £19.00, Children £11.40, and Concession £17.10
- Osborne House tickets & Opening Times: Times vary, see website
- Russell’s Recommendation: Plan more time than you expect, you’re going to love it!
Are you planning a visit to Osborne House? Or have you just visited?
Let us know in the comments section below
Disclaimer
In the interest of full disclosure, we partnered with Red Funnel Ferries during my visit to the Isle of Wight. I was given full creative control to create a post on any experience provided over the weekend. This post contains some affiliate links to third-party websites. Some of you may ask what’s an affiliate link? They are links to select third-party websites. If you purchase anything using the links provided (at no extra cost to you), we earn a small fee, which helps keep the lights on and the content flowing at roamingrequired.com
