Osborne House, Isle Of Wight

Osborne House on the Isle of Wight

Welcome to Queen Victoria's palace by the sea.

"It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot" said Queen Victoria of Osborne House, her palatial holiday home on the Isle of Wight. Visit Victoria and Albert's private apartments, their bathing beach and children's play-cottage for an intimate glimpse of royal family life. Then stroll through the garden terraces where the stunning views across the Solent reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples.

Osborne reflects Queen Victoria and Prince Albert's passions, tastes and style. Ornate furnishings and artefacts from The Royal Collection fill rooms and corridors where Victoria entertained heads of state, inventors, princess and princesses and ruled the vast British Empire.

Look out for Victorian opulence, extravagant interiors, and jaw-dropping Indian décor in the Durbar Room. Step into the sumptuous state rooms of Queen Victoria at Osborne, where the Queen of England entertained her important guests. Osborne was built specifically for Victoria and Albert, and its architecture and furnishings reflect their passions, taste and style. You can feel a real sense of history here. Heads of state, inventors, princes and princesses, all walked these opulent corridors, when Osborne was at the centre of a vast British Empire.

Peek into the private world of Victoria and Albert and their nine children in the family rooms at Osborne. Visit the queen's sitting room and see the balcony where Victoria and Albert used to listen to nightingales on a summer's evening. See the queen's personal bath tub in the dressing room, and, next door, the bedroom where she died, on 22 January 1901. Prince Albert's private suite was kept as it was in his lifetime, by Queen Victoria, and many of the things he used at Osborne still lie where he left them.

However, Osborne was also built as a family home and as you walk through the Queen's bedroom, the nursery rooms and even royal bathrooms, you get an intimate glimpse into royal family life. Children will love the Swiss Cottage with its child-size furniture and also enjoy letting off steam in the play area. Please note, the nursery and table deckers are closed until further notice.

Complementing the magnificent Italianate 'royal palace by the sea', are gardens and grounds filled with breathtaking views. A place to relax and discover seasonal colour throughout the year. The ornate terrace gardens, renovated in 2016-17 as part of a major conservation project, are a riot of tulips in spring. The mild Mediterranean climate allows stunning bedding displays in summer. Wander the Victorian walled garden with its espaliered fruit trees, and explore the wider parkland with its historic trees, many planted by Prince Albert.

There are acres of grounds and gardens to relax in, horse and carriage rides to take and a delightful restaurant and café. It is not surprising that Osborne House, come rain or shine, is one of the Isle of Wight's top attractions for the whole family and provides a great day out.

Red Funnel Crossing by ferry Southampton to East Cowes

Depart for home Approx. 17.30