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

Festive Tales with Father Christmas | Weekends in December

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Discover Osborne's gardens

Seasonal highlights

Food and drink at Osborne

Plan your visit

Open Weds - Sun, 10am - 4pm (last entry at 3pm)

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Address

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

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Due to storm damage we have had to close off some areas and pathways in the grounds at Osborne, including the beach and the Pavilion Beach Ice Cream Parlour. The ground floor of the house, the Terraces and Walled Garden, as well as the Terrace Restaurant, and Petty Officers’ Quarters Café will be open as normal.

Things to see and do

See the 'Freedom' tree at Osborne this winter

Designed by Anna Hunnerkopf and and originally created to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Victoria and Albert’s birth, the tree is made of suspended ornate paper origami birds, each engraved with 'V&A' in silver. On loan to us from the city of Coburg (the birthplace of Prince Albert), it was first installed in the V&A museum in 2019. Come and see it in the Durbar Room from 1 Dec 2023 - 6 Jan 2024.

Book your winter visit

What's On

Winter Guided Tours at Osborne

Sat 11 Nov 2023 - Sun 17 Mar 2024 Every 20 minutes
Festive Stories with Father Christmas

Sat 2 & Sun 3, Sat 9 & Sun 10, Sat 16 & Sun 17 Sat 23 Dec 2023 10.30am, 11.10am, 11.50am, 12.30pm, 1.20pm, 2pm, 2.40pm, 3.20pm

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.