Osbourne House East Cowes | Isle of Wight Attractions
Queen Victoria is one of England’s best-known monarchs. Osbourne House is a top Isle of Wight attractions and its house and gardens offer a great day out for the family.
Let us explore what the English Heritage site has to offer.
Table of Contents
A perfect day out to spend on the Isle of Wight. Osbourne House and Gardens the former residence of Queen Victoria is now run by English Heritage.
Where to find Osbourne House East Cowes
The former home of Queen Victoria can be found on the northern point of the Isle of Wight. Situated just outside East Cowes.
Cost of Entry and Opening Times
The house opens at 10 am and stays open until around 5 pm, although opening times can vary.
The cost of entry as of 2023
| Adult | £20.00 | £18.10 |
| Child (5-17 years) | £12.50 | £11.30 |
| Concession | £18.00 | £16.30 |
| Family (2 adults, up to 3 children) | £52.50 | £47.50 |
| Family (1 adult, up to 3 children) | £32.50 | £29.40 |
It is worth considering taking out a family membership with English Heritage.
Introductory discounts will enable you to visit the other best tourist designations such as Carisbrooke Castle and Yarmouth Castle.
Inside Queen Victoria’s Former Residence – Osbourne House
Entry into the house is like stepping back in time by 150 years.
As you follow the route around the house you get a glimpse of how the royals lived in the 1870s.
Much of the furniture and decor is maintained and kept as if they were away on holiday.
The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat.
Albert designed the house himself, in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. The London architect Thomas Cubitt who built the house in 1847 also designed the main facade of Buckingham Palace.
An earlier smaller house on the site was demolished to make way for a new and far larger house.
The original entrance portico survives as the main gateway to the walled garden
Gardens – Prince Alberts Project
Osbourne House Gardens offer one the best tourist destinations to see the classic Victorian Italian Style garden of its time.
A personal project by Prince Albert aided by Thomas Cubitt involved the planting and design of the gardens and estate.
Walking around the garden you will see that some of the trees are labelled. These show the trees that Albert planted. His vision of the time allows us to see his finished work.
The trees are now 150 years old and tower well up into the sky. Showing the true time that has passed since they were first planted.
Despite Albert not expecting the House and Gardens to be one the best tourist destinations in the future. His hard work and dedication to producing such a beautiful landscape cannot be underrated.
A Walk To The Private Beach
The private beach offers break-taking views over the Solent. Plan a refreshment at the Beach Pavilion Ice-Cream Parlour.
How long does it take to walk from Osborne House to the beach?
The walk through one of England’s best tourist destinations to the beach takes about 30 minutes to reach, depending on how quickly you walk.
An electric buggy is on hand to help some visitors.
Can you swim in the sea at Osborne House?
The waters of the Solent on the north of the island are generally calm. This makes it an ideal place to have a paddle or swim.
The old bathing machine is also sighted here and was used by the Queen during her residence.
The calmer waters of the northeast coast of the Isle of Wight offer some of the best tourist destinations to visit on the island. Ryde also has a beautiful sandy beach for summer visitors.
The Market Garden
The walled garden was built before Queen Victoria’s ownership.
Albert used the garden as plant nursery in order to grow trees and shrubs to a size he could then plant in the garden.
They made several alterations such as increasing the height of the walls and adding the greenhouse.
The garden has been restored and contains cut flower garden and fruit trees.
Shop and Cafe’s
At the rear of the house, you can dine like a Queen at the Terrace Restaurant and Orangery.
The Petty Officers’ Quarters is a cafe located next to the gift shop at the entrance to Osborne House.
FAQ’s
Do you have to pay for parking at Osborne House?
Free parking is 50m from the reception centre, and additional parking is 230m from the house entrance.
Does the royal family still own Osborne House?
After Queen Victoria’s death, her successor Edward VII did not use the estate. The expense and up keep become too much to maintain.
It was subsequently gifted to the nation on Coronation Day 1902. The English Heritage took ownership in 1989 turning it into one of the best tourist destinations in their attractions.
History of the House
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