Osborne House

About the museum

Osborne House was built between 1845 and 1851 as a summer home and retreat for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. The royal couple bought the estate in 1845 and replaced the existing house with a much larger residence in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo. Prince Albert designed it with the builder Thomas Cubitt and took a close part in laying out the gardens and woodlands. The views over the Solent reminded him of the Bay of Naples, and Queen Victoria valued it as a place of her own, away from court life. Part of the cost was met by the sale of the Royal Pavilion at Brighton.

The family spent long periods at Osborne, and the estate included the Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played, gardened and kept their own museum. Queen Victoria died at Osborne on 22 January 1901. Her successor, Edward VII, who did not like the house, gave it to the nation, although the royal apartments were kept as a private memorial to Victoria. For part of the twentieth century the estate also housed a naval college and a convalescent home for officers.

The private first-floor rooms were opened to the public in 1954. English Heritage took over the management of Osborne in 1986. Today visitors can see the State Rooms, the family rooms, the Royal Collection holdings in the house, the terraced and walled gardens, and Queen Victoria's beach.

Highlights

• The State Rooms
• Queen Victoria's private family rooms
• Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played and kept their museum (summer)
• Terraced gardens, walled garden and tree trail
• Queen Victoria's Beach

Permanent exhibitions

• State Rooms – The grand rooms where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert entertained guests, filled with works from the Royal Collection.
• Family Rooms – Private rooms that give a glimpse into the family life of the queen, her husband and their children.
• Swiss Cottage and museum – The cottage in the grounds where the royal children played, gardened and cooked, and kept their own private museum; closed in winter.

Founded

1845

Operated by

English Heritage

Admission & discounts

Prices depend on the season and are lowest when booked online in advance on off-peak days (adult £20.06; standard days £21.59; peak days £24.65). Tickets bought at the gate cost more, with an adult price from £25.40. Prices shown exclude the optional Gift Aid donation. English Heritage members enter free, and visitors arriving by public transport or by bicycle receive 20% off walk-up tickets bought on the day.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

Manual wheelchairs can be borrowed on a first-come basis. Mobility scooters are allowed on the ground floor of the house only, and visitors can reach the first floor by transferring to a manual wheelchair; a lift to the first floor is next to the Council Room, although it may not always be available. The Nursery is not accessible to wheelchairs. A free accessibility minibus runs between the entrance, the beach and the Swiss Cottage from April to November, with no service from 13:00 to 14:00. Paths in the walled garden, Swiss Cottage garden and Rhododendron Walk are heavily gravelled. There are two steps up to the beach boardwalk and the beach itself is not accessible. Twelve disabled parking bays are 50 yards from the entrance. Accessible toilets with ramp access are at the admissions point, the main house, the Swiss Cottage and the beach. An induction loop is at the admissions centre. A tactile nature trail and a model of the estate are available, and assistance dogs are welcome.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area

The children's play area is near the visitor car park, there is an interactive tree trail and a World Builder trail, and the Swiss Cottage has hands-on displays. Pushchairs are not permitted in the house, except disabled access buggies. Baby changing facilities are at the admissions area, in the house and at the beach, and high chairs are available in the café and restaurant.

Getting there & parking

The house is one mile south-east of East Cowes. Use postcode PO32 6JX for the entrance; PO32 6JT is also given for satellite navigation. Visitors arriving by train, bus or bicycle receive 20% off walk-up tickets.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check

Victoria Hall Restaurant, Orangery Coffee Shop, Petty Officers' Café, Gazelle Cake House and the Beach Pavilion; a large shop at the admissions centre. Left luggage facilities are unsupervised and large bags are not allowed in the house.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent

Osborne is available for event hire; civil weddings can be discussed with the hospitality coordinator.

Plan your visit