Osborne House

Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight in England, now serving as a museum. The estate includes several buildings with terraces, a private beach, and sprawling gardens that reach down to the sea.

The royal family had the main building constructed between 1845 and 1851 after acquiring the existing estate. Following the queen's death, Edward VII handed the house over to the state, and it opened to visitors in 1904.

The name reflects a period when Italian villa design was seen as a symbol of refinement and connection to European high culture. Today visitors encounter the original furniture and personal belongings of the royal family, which offer a direct sense of daily life in the 19th century.

The tour takes you through the state rooms on the ground floor and the private chambers upstairs, and you can also explore the outdoor areas. Those wishing to follow the coastal paths should bring sturdy footwear, as some trails are uneven.

In the private chambers, the bed where the queen died in 1901 still stands, and the clocks remain stopped at the time of her death. This personal staging gives the rooms an unusual closeness to a historical moment.

Location: East Cowes

Inception: 1845

Architects: Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha

Official opening: 1851

Architectural style: Renaissance Revival architecture, Italian Renaissance architecture, Italianate architecture

Operator: English Heritage

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

Opening Hours: April 01-September 30 10:00-18:00

Website: https://english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/osborne

GPS coordinates: 50.75053,-1.27005

Latest update: December 12, 2025 20:05