Name: Osborne
Address: York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JT
Telephone: 0370 333 1181

The gardens and grounds of Osborne are open. Takeaway catering is available and our shop is open, but all indoor areas remain closed. Safety measures are in place to keep everyone safe. You need to book your visit in advance. Please keep in mind the government’s latest advice on travelling. Find out more below.

How to Book your visit

Read our FAQ

Four girls gleefully explore the gardens at Osborne.

Keeping you Safe

What to expect

Open Daily 10am - 5pm

See full prices and opening times

Address

York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight, PO32 6JT

Book your Visit

Please note - the gardens and grounds at Osborne are open. To comply with government guidelines, all interior spaces including the House and Swiss Cottage are currently closed.

What you need to know

We've made some changes to help keep you safe, and things might be a little different when you visit. Here's everything you need to know.

What parts of the site are closed?
To comply with the latest government guidance, all indoor areas of Osborne are currently closed. This includes:

The House

Our Shop

The Swiss Cottage and Museum

What changes have you made to your facilities?
Café - The Beach Café will be open for takeaway service only.

Playgrounds - The play area located near Swiss Cottage is open.

Shop - Osborne’s shop will be open.

Toilets - Toilet facilities will be available in the gardens. Additional hand sanitising stations will be available in various locations.

Accessibility Mini Bus Service – We are operating a limited mini bus service between the house and Queen Victoria’s Beach. As the service is running at reduced capacity, we kindly ask that visitors who are able to explore the site without making use of this service do so. Please speak to a member of staff for more information.

Plan your Visit

Do we need to Book?

Advance booking is now essential. We have introduced limits on visitor numbers to help keep everyone safe, and you won’t be able to visit without your booking confirmation. If you’re a Member, your ticket will be free, but you still need to book in advance. Make sure you've read our ticketing FAQ before you book.

Book Tickets

Booking FAQs

How are you keeping us safe?

We've made a number of changes to help keep you safe. Although things might be a little different when you visit, you’ll still be able to enjoy exploring the places where history really happened. And you’ll still be given a warm and safe welcome by our friendly – if socially distant – staff and volunteers.

You can visit our reopening page for information on general safety measures we've taken to help keep you safe.

General Safety Information

Do I need to wear a face covering?

Face coverings must be worn in all indoor areas. We won't be able to provide you with a face covering, so please come prepared so you don't miss out.

Is the mini bus service available?
Mini bus service - We are operating a limited mini bus service between the house and Queen Victoria’s Beach. As the service is running at reduced capacity, we kindly ask that visitors who are able to explore the site without making use of this service do so. Please speak to a member of staff upon arrival for further information.

I still have questions.

The answers to all frequently asked questions can be found on our FAQ page.

Read our FAQs

Things to see and do

Hire Osborne

Inspirational and intimate, Osborne is a venue that will welcome and wow your guests. Hold your event in rooms bursting with colour and regal splendour, or down in the wood-fringed private beach. A marquee over-looking the sea is a memorable setting in which to hold your reception and celebrations, emanating the extravagant events hosted by the Queen herself.

Find out more

Osborne Timeline

1774-81Blachford Family

Robert Pope Blachford extends and adapts an existing house into a three-storey residence, with a walled kitchen garden and a brick stable block.

1844-5Victoria and Albert

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert lease Osborne House from Lady Isabella Blachford.

1845A Brand New House

The royal couple buy Osborne. Albert commissions architect and master builder Thomas Cubitt to advise him on an extension. Cubitt recommends they build a new house.

Find out more about the history of Osborne

1846Pavilion Completed

The first phase of building, the Pavilion, is completed. It houses the private rooms of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and the royal nurseries.

1848Household Wing Completed

The second phase is completed, including the wing for the royal household. The old house is demolished.

1851Main Wing Completed

The main wing, initially used by the royal children, is built on the old house site and is linked to the household wing by a long corridor.

Read a description of Osborne

1850sGardens and Beach

An extensive network of new walks and drives is created, including routes around the perimeter of the park and to a private beach.

1853-4Children's Swiss Cottage

A timber Swiss Cottage is built for the royal children in their own garden, nearly a mile to the east of the house.

1861Stables and Servant Facilities

Stables for 50 horses and carriages are completed to the south. The former stables are transformed into kitchen facilities and servants' accommodation.

1861Tragedy Strikes

Prince Albert dies unexpectedly at Windsor Castle, leaving Victoria overwhelmed with grief.

1887Indian Servants

The male dormitory, first built in 1850, is extended to accommodate the Indian servants introduced to the royal household.

1890-91Indian Wing

The Durbar Wing is built to provide a large reception or dining room, as well as a private suite for the queen's youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, and her family.

1901Queen's Death

Queen Victoria dies at Osborne.

1902Given to the Nation

Against Victoria's explicit wishes, her successor, Edward VII, gives the estate to the nation.

1903-4Royal Naval College

Part of the grounds become the Royal Naval College Osborne. The ground floor of the Pavilion and the council and audience rooms are opened to the public. Other areas are converted into a convalescent home for officers.