The Swiss Cottage was the domain of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's nine children, built between May 1853 and May 1854 at Prince Albert's instruction in the grounds of Osborne. The children escaped there as much possible when at Osborne for their summer holidays and to celebrate birthdays, and later most of them brought their own children back to play.

Now, unprecedented research using the children's letters, diaries and paintings has enabled English Heritage to reveal their intimate stories, giving 21st century families the chance to experience this unique childhood for themselves in a new interactive exhibition.

The project has also seen vital conservation work to the structure of Swiss Cottage along with the re-opening of historic rooms on the ground floor as well as to the museum with its collection of over 3,000 objects. Outside, the historic Victoria Fort and Albert Barracks have been conserved, a new play area inspired by the Fort and Swiss Cottage has been installed and a nature trail created. The historic Gazelle House has been conserved and given a new lease of life as a cake shop café.

About the Swiss Cottage

The Swiss Cottage was built between May 1853 and May 1854 with the Princes playing an active part in laying the foundations. Queen Victoria wrote in her journal that Prince Alfred "worked as hard and steadily as a regular labourer" and he was paid by Prince Albert at the same rate.

The Princesses learned to cook in the well-furnished kitchen often serving up what they had made to their parents and other guests at luncheons and tea parties. They were taught to run a toy grocer's shop 'stocked with' all the basics as well as exotic spices and kept accounts for their father to review.

Each child had their own garden plot where they tended fruit, vegetables and flowers with their own monogrammed wheelbarrows, tools and watering cans. The produce was assessed by the under-gardener, Mr Warne, and if of a good enough standard, Prince Albert would pay market rate to the child who'd grown it.

The children were avid collectors of natural history specimens, fossils, antiquities and curios and items associated with cultures from around the world. They quickly filled up a room in the cottage with their objects so in January 1863 the Queen gave them, in her words, "an additional small cottage, near the Swiss Cottage…for a museum." The museum still remains with its contents of over 3,000 objects including the first transatlantic telegraph message and a 5-legged deer.

In 1856, under the direction of Affie's (Prince Alfred's) tutor, Lieutenant Cowell, Bertie, Prince of Wales and Affie built 'a little fort' as a surprise for Victoria's birthday. Four years later, Affie and Prince Arthur added a miniature barracks with drawbridge. Arthur most enjoyed playing in the fort and barracks where his Uncle Leopold, King of the Belgians would teach him movements with toy soldiers and he would devise his own battles.