Osborne House, Isle of Wight (1900)
In 1845, five years after they married, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the 342-acre Osborne estate on the Isle of Wight. They hired Thomas Cubitt, architect of much of London's Belgravia, to design an Italianate house, the towers of which now dominate the coast overlooking the Solent.
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In 1845, five years after they married, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought the 342-acre Osborne estate on the Isle of Wight. They hired Thomas Cubitt, architect of much of London's Belgravia, to design an Italianate house, the towers of which now dominate the coast overlooking the Solent.
Albert worked with Cubitt on the formal terraced gardens, which included the Swiss Cottage, a miniature residence commissioned by the prince and used by the royal children to learn domestic skills. Following Albert's death in 1861, Osborne remained a favourite of the queen's and was where she spent every Christmas. She died there in 1901, in the arms of her grandson Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Where to go?
Osborne House
Isle of Wight
PO32 6JY
T: 01983 200 022
W: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14479
Osborne House
Isle of Wight
PO32 6JY
T: 01983 200 022
W: www.english-heritage.org.uk/server/show/nav.14479
What to see?
Given to the nation by Edward VII in 1901 and now owned by English Heritage, the house is open from spring to autumn. Much of it remains as Victoria left it, including her private apartments and the nurseries.
Given to the nation by Edward VII in 1901 and now owned by English Heritage, the house is open from spring to autumn. Much of it remains as Victoria left it, including her private apartments and the nurseries.
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