osborne house trip

Osborne House: The Complete Guide

 De Agostini/W.Buss/Getty Images

Osborn House on the Isle of Wight was Queen Victoria's private family home for 50 years. It was designed by her consort, Prince Albert, together with master builder Thomas Cubitt. Cubitt also designed much of Bloomsbury, Battersea Park and many of the historic streets and in London, Belgravia and Pimlico.

The house was designed as an Italianate palazzo to take advantage of its seaside position on northeast of the island, not far from the sailing resort of Cowes where the famous regatta is held.

When Queen Victoria first saw Osborne, she is reported to have said, "It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot." From 1843 to 1845, the royal family leased an 18th century house owned by an English aristocrat. Then, in 1845. Victoria and Albert bought the property and set about creating the house you see today. It was designed as a summer holiday home and a family retreat from formal court life in London and Windsor, It was also a place to entertain visiting diplomats and dignitaries in a less formal setting than the Palace or Castle .

When Osborne House was first built, it had no ballroom or grand reception rooms, so if the Queen entertained there, it had to be during the summer months, on the lawns under a marquee. In 1892, the Durbar Wing expansion of the house included a large reception room and the fabulously decorated Durbar Room.

After the death of Queen Victoria, the house — which had been her private home and not the property of the state — would have passed to her heirs. But King Edward VII did not need it and no other member of the royal family wanted the property or the expenses of running it In 1902, the King gave it to the nation and parts of it were open to the public as early as 1904.

Over the years it has served as a convalescent hospital for military officers and as a naval college. In 1986, English Heritage took over its management and has been gradually restoring and renovating, opening more of the house every year.

Things to See at Osborne House

A visit to Osborne House includes a chance to visit Victoria and Albert's private rooms. They had been sealed in 1901 on the orders of King Edward VII but were opened to the public in 1954 after Queen Elizabeth II gave permission.

Here's what you can expect to see on a visit:

• Family Rooms: These rooms offer an intimate glimpse into the private lives of Albert, Victoria and their nine children. The nursery has been restored and furnished as it might have been when the royal family was in residence. You can also see the queen's personal bath and the bedroom where she died in 1901. Albert's private suite, was virtually untouched after he died and some of the things he used are still where he left them.
• The State Rooms: The rooms where the queen entertained dignitaries and celebrities and conducted state business include a Council Room where she met with members of her Privy Council; a dining room set for a formal dinner in 1850; an opulent drawing room, decorated with yellow satin, mirrors and cut glass, and a billiards room where the queen and ladies of her court sometimes played.
• The Durbar Room: This state room deserves special mention because of its elaborate, Indian-style decoration.The room reflected Queen Victoria's role as Empress of India. It was designed by Rudyard Kipling's father, Lockwood Kipling, and Indian master carver Bhai Ram Singh.
• The Queen's Beach and Bathing Machine: The private beach was opened to the public in 2012. Families can swim and picnic there. During the summer months, there are traditional Punch and Judy shows. A shuttle bus takes visitors from the house to the beach throughout the day. While you are at the beach, you can have a look inside Queen Victoria's "bathing machine." In the Victorian era, swimming in the sea was a new thing and something in which women rarely indulged. But fashions changed and it was considered healthy to immerse oneself in salt water — or at least get a bit wet. The bathing machines were little cabins on wheels that were towed out into sea by horses — or sometimes servants. Inside would be a change of dry clothing and other supplies. When the bathing machine was in place, the ladies, dressed head to toe in Victorian swimming costumes, would be helped down a short flight of steps, into the water. At Osborne House, you can go inside Queen Victoria's machine.
• The Swiss Cottage: Some distance from the main house, a Swiss-style chalet was built for Victoria and Albert's children to learn homely skills. They prepared cakes and tarts for tea on child-sized kitchen equipment and, just a few years ago, a dairy where they could learn to make butter and cheese was discovered behind a boarded up door.

How to Visit

The Isle of Wight is a flattened diamond-shaped island in the Solent, a narrow channel across the mouth of Southampton and Portsmouth harbors. Getting there involves crossing by either ferry or Hovercraft. Taxis are available at all the ports for the short trip to Osborne House.

• Red Funnel Ferries operate car ferries from Southampton to East Cowes, 1.5 miles from the house.
• Wightlink Ferries operate fast catamaran services from Portsmouth Harbour Rail Station to Ryde, about seven miles away.
• HoverTravel offer the last hovercraft passenger services in the UK, between Southsea, Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde.The trip takes only 10 minutes and if you've never experienced a flight on a hovercraft, it's fun to try.

Osborne House and grounds are open year round, but opening times vary seasonally. Be sure to check the website for opening times and prices .

What to See Nearby

While you are on the Isle of Wight, you might want to take in:

• The Needles : View these remarkable sea stacks from The Battery, a former gun emplacement and cliffs maintained by the National Trust
• The Needles Chair Lift : A chair lift from the clifftops to the beach north of the Needles give you a different view of them.
• Cowes : The sailing and yachting village of Cowes is fun to explore and visit for shopping, dining and looking at great sailing yachts.
• Dinosaur Isle : A good rainy day attraction for families, this museum/exhibition is all about the many dino fossils found on the Isle of Wight, one of Europe's most important dinosaur sites.

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Osborne House

Top ways to experience Osborne House and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Osborne House - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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• (0.10 km) Swiss Cottage Tea Room
• (0.17 km) Albert Cottage Restaurant
• (0.33 km) Victoria Tavern
• (1.05 km) Prego
• (0.58 km) Osborne House
• (0.88 km) Victoria Tavern
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• (1.36 km) St Mildred's Church
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Osborne House Tour Review – Stepping into Queen Victoria’s Hidden Life at Isle of Wight, England

Posted on Last updated: April 15, 2020

From Southampton , on the South coast of England , we took the Red Funnel Isle of Wight ferry to East Cowes , a nice trip that will only take about 25 minutes. Then it’s a 5 minute ride, or half an hour walk if you’re up for it, to reach the impressive Osborne House, former home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Wondering what you can see and do at Osborne House Isle of Wight? Keep reading, because we are taking you on a personal tour!

Where is Osborne House?

Osborne House is located in the town of  East Cowes on the Isle of Wight. This victorian house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and nice retreat on the countryside.

Victoria died here in January 1901, after which the house was given to the state, with a few rooms now open to the public as a private museum to the former Queen.

Albert designed the house himself and was inspired by an Italian Renaissance Palazzo , as the temperatures on the island are also very temperate and the views over the Solent reminded him o the Bay of Naples. London architect and builder Thomas Cubbit did an amazing job making Alberts dream a reality!

Here are some photos of our entry of Osborne House:

The grounds are quite big!

Why and How to Visit Osborne House?

Queen Victoria is the only woman ever to have ruled over a third of the earth, and in Osborne she had a life away from the bustle and prying eyes of London.

While there is nothing significant left of the original 18th-century house (other than the front porch), the building that you can now find is in incredible state. Many of the great paintings in the state rooms, and Queen Victoria’s belongings in the family rooms, are still owned by the Royal family and are looked after on their behalf by the Royal Collection Trust .

While walking through the building, you get the chance to peek into the private world of Victoria and Albert and their nine children in the nursery and family rooms.

Prince Albert’s private suite was kept by Victoria as it was in his lifetime, so many of the things he used at Osborne still lie where he left them!

I can recommend taking a guided tour , like we did, so you get all the background stories of the Royals and the items in the many rooms.

A Merry Osborne House Christmas!

A Young Queen Victoria Osborne House

Prince Albert at Osborne House England

Durbar Room Osborne House UK

Did you know the Christmas Card was invented by Queen Victoria, Isle of Wight?

Osborne House Swiss Cottage & Private Beach!

But it’s not just Victoria and Alberts house itself that’s impressive, the entire grounds around it are full with little treasures.

Other structures include a complete Swiss Cottage where the Royal children learned to garden. Here, you can find massive stables and all the amazing objects from the Royal Collection from around the world at the Swiss Cottage museum.

There is even a beach where the Queen could bathe in private!

Swiss Cottage at Osborne Isle of Wight England

Osborne House Facts

Osborne House Opening Times : Wednesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. Closed on Monday and Tuesday.

Prizes : from 16.20 (adults) and 9.70 (kids)

Isle of Wight Facts

Visit Isle of Wight Website :  visitisleofwight.co.uk

Isle of Wight Accommodation :  visitisleofwight.co.uk/accommodation

Red Funnel Ferries :  redfunnel.co.uk

More Isle of Wight Attractions :  thetraveltester.com/things-to-do-on-the-isle-of-wight

Isle of Wight Tours to Book :

INTERESTED IN VISITING OSBORNE UK? BOOKMARK ON PINTEREST :

Wednesday 18th of April 2018

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Nienke Krook

Friday 20th of April 2018

Thanks Aneezy!

Matt Easterling

Tuesday 3rd of April 2018

Really Well Written article, I am just finding out some Real Esate Tips and Found your Article. You have written a really amazing piece of content. Can We connect via Email? Thanks!

Friday 6th of April 2018

Thanks Matt! You can find our email in the contact us section of the site

Osborne House

Top ways to experience Osborne House and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Osborne House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Inside Osborne House and its glorious gardens

Who owns it, where it's located and the magnificent royal history

The captivating seaside retreat, built for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert in 1851, was the royal couple's summer house.

It was designed by Prince Albert himself and Queen Victoria once said it was "impossible to imagine a prettier spot".

The view of the Solent was what first appealed to the couple when they bought it in 1845 and it reminded Albert of Italy's Bay of Naples. This inspired the Italian Renaissance style of the house, complete with two belvedere towers.

Where is Osborne House?

Located in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight, the former royal residence is just moments from Osborne Bay in the Solent.

The house has its own beach too, where Queen Victoria bathed and her children learned to swim.

Who owns Osborne House?

After Queen Victoria died in 1901, King Edward VIII gave Osborne House to the state and part of it became the Royal Naval College, Osborne.

From 1954, Queen Elizabeth II gave permission for the house to be opened to the public and English Heritage has owned and managed the attraction since 1986.

What's inside Osborne House?

From the sumptuous state rooms where Queen Victoria entertained her guests, to the family rooms which allow you to peek into the private world of Victoria, Albert and their nine children, Osborne gives you a look at a royal summer house at its most opulent.

TAKE ME THERE

Ornate furniture, artefacts and fine art fill the rooms and corridors. The family rooms include Queen Victoria's sitting room and the balcony where she and Albert used to listen to nightingales on summer evenings. Her bath tub in the dressing room and the bedroom where she died can also be viewed.

What about the gardens?

They're simply stunning. Osborne House's gardens were a place where Queen Victoria and Prince Albert could spend time away from the public gaze and enjoy their private family time. Here, they took walks together, grew vegetables and planted hundreds of trees in the gardens.

Today, the gardens are a year-round beauty, with elaborate fountains, historic plants creeping up the walls and seasonal flowers displaying bold colours. In spring, there are daffodils, lily of the valley and barberries, while summer sees the mild Mediterranean climate welcome myrtle and magnolias.

Are there other highlights?

The beach which first drew Victoria and Albert is a must-see. It's worth checking out the beautiful bathing machine where Victoria would undress before heading into the water too.

Osborne is home to fruit trees and in the warmer months, visitors can look out for the orange tree, which shows off the warm climate of the Isle of Wight.

Hidden in the woods at Osborne is another highlight, the Swiss Cottage. The little Alpine-style chalet has its own gardens and museum. This was where the children were free to play, learning housekeeping, cookery and gardening in their own playhouse.

Why is Osborne House so significant?

Osborne's importance lies with its close association with Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, along with its largely intact contents.

Both the interior and the gardens reveal the tastes of the royal couple, with personal collections, including the birthday and Christmas gifts they presented each other.

What are today's royal connections to Osborne House?

In most recent years, Osborne House's myrtle featured in some high-profile events. Its delicate white flower which grows here was first used in a royal bouquet at the wedding of Victoria and Albert’s eldest daughter, Victoria.

Since then, flowers grown from the same Osborne myrtle have been chosen by royal brides, including Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Diana, the Duchess of Cambridge and the Duchess of Sussex for their wedding bouquets.

How you can visit Osborne House

Country Living Holidays has an exclusive tour of Osborne House with BBC gardener Christine Walkden , from The One Show , in May 2022. Part of a four-day break to the Isle of Wight, the staycation includes a guided tour of the royal attraction, lunch at Osborne House's Terrace Restaurant with Christine and an exclusive Q&A session.

FIND OUT MORE

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The history of Queen Victoria's Osborne House

Osborne House. English Heritage

It was Queen Victoria's summer home, but what else do we need to know about Osborne House?

A s the ferry from Portsmouth crosses the Solent and approaches the bucolic Isle of Wight, the cream-colored façade of Osborne House, reminiscent of an Italian villa with its picturesque flag and clock towers, terraces, and gardens, appears ahead. This is the same view that can be seen within the house in a watercolor painted by a 13-year-old Prince Alfred, one of Queen Victoria’s nine children, and presented to his mother on her birthday in 1858.

The British define a Victorian house as any house built during the reign of Queen Victoria, which spanned the years from 1837 to 1901. Osborne House epitomizes that era. After purchasing the house and land with their own funds in 1845, Prince Albert , the Queen’s consort, worked closely with Thomas Cubitt, the architect responsible for the design of some of London’s neighborhoods (especially Belgravia), to demolish the existing structure and build a home that Victoria and her family could use as a retreat during holidays and vacations. After the premature death of Prince Albert, Queen Victoria spent more and more time at Osborne House; it became a sanctuary for her after the loss of her beloved husband.

Prince Albert approved the “contemporary” design of Osborne House as a holiday home for the Queen and their large family

Enter through the old household entrance, flanked by classical statues, into what was a dining room for the servants in the 19th century. While this room now contains an interesting introductory exhibition about Osborne House, the rooms beyond have been preserved as they were when the Royal Family lived in them - to tell the story of the era and the family.

Thanks to Prince Albert, the house was built with many “contemporary” innovations, including the early use of cast iron beams to fireproof the home and underfloor heating in his private bathroom.

Osborne House is symmetrical with many windows making it light and airy within. The house, consisting of three connecting buildings and various wings, is built around an open courtyard whose upper and lower terraces contain flowerbeds, statues and a large fountain. These terraces, again created under Prince Albert’s supervision, offer sweeping views to the sea about a mile away, and are a reminder of his love for Italy.

The ornately adorned Grand Corridor wraps around the courtyard in Italianate style and offers access to the various rooms. This elaborate passageway, like most of the house, is filled with paintings and white marble sculptures reflecting Victoria and Albert’s love of the arts. These particular sculptures were made by living British and European artists of the time, and most were specifically commissioned by the Royal couple.

Italianate villa boasts plenteous windows and a Grand Corridor wrapped around terraced gardens and a courtyard

The dining room, drawing room, and billiard rooms on the ground floor, each with an elaborately painted ceiling, are all richly decorated with family portraits and other works of art. In the dining room, a table displays place settings being laid for dinner, each place perfectly arranged.

Prince Albert, who enjoyed playing billiards, designed the elaborately painted billiard table to be built higher than usual so that the Queen and other ladies could play without having to bend over in a manner inappropriate for the Victorian era. Also on the ground floor is a rather odd room that contains furniture completely made with the antlers of different animals. In this strange room, the well-known haunting painting by Edwin Landseer of the elderly Queen in black on a horse held by her servant John Brown is on display.

Visitors get the most intimate look at the Victorian royal family in the private rooms on the first floor that Prince Albert and the Queen used on a daily basis. The Prince Consort’s bathroom, dressing, and writing rooms as well as the Queen’s bedroom and sitting room are on this floor. These rooms are modest in size and give some idea of the cozy and comfortable lifestyle that the Royal family enjoyed at Osborne House. Furniture covered in patterned chintz upholstery typical of the Victorian era fill the rooms.

More portraits of the Queen’s immediate and extended families as well as paintings done by Victoria, Albert, and their children line the walls and rest on tabletops. Time seems to have stood still in the Queen’s bedroom as it has been kept the way it was on January 22, 1901, the day of her death. Albert’s portrait rests on the pillow on his side of the bed and the bag for his watch hangs above it. After her husband’s deat

h in 1861 at the age of 42, the Queen always kept these two items next to her in bed.

The Queen’s bedroom remains just as it was when she died there in 1901. Prince Albert’s watch still rests on her bedside

The nursery, conveniently located on the second floor, allowed Victoria and Albert to reach their children easily from their rooms below. Portraits of the children hang on the nursery walls, children who as adults married into many of Europe’s Royal families and made their own marks in history.

One of the more unique rooms is in the low two-story addition built in 1890-91 to house the Durbar Room. The name “Durbar” comes from the Indian and denotes a state banquet and the room where such an event would be held. This room celebrated the Queen’s title “Empress of India” that was bestowed in 1876 and provided Osborne House with a formal banqueting hall, which it had not previously had. Every visible inch of the Durbar Room is richly covered in molded ornamentation designed by Bhai Rom Singh, an Indian artist, and his teacher Lockwood Kipling, the father of the author Rudyard Kipling. In the center are cabinets full of elaborate gifts from India.

Also on the estate, though some distance from Osborne House itself, is the Swiss Cottage where Victoria and Albert wanted their children to learn the basics of housekeeping and cooking. This miniature Swiss chalet is filled with child-sized furniture, and a thatched shed outside contains gardening tools with the initials of the various princes and princesses, who used them to cultivate their assigned individual plots of land.

English Heritage, entrusted with the care of Osborne House, rents out the Pavilion Cottage, a converted cricket clubhouse built just after the Queen’s death and the end of the Victorian era in 1901. Once the estate is closed to visitors for the day, short-term renters staying at the Pavilion Cottage can explore the grounds in privacy—including the Queen’s private pebble and sand beach that was opened to the public for the first time only in 2012.

In Victorian times, the Isle of Wight became a fashionable holiday destination simply because of the Queen’s frequent residency at Osborne House. Lots of water traffic on the Solent signaled that the Queen was at home. Centuries later the Isle of Wight still attracts visitors. London is home to the superb Victoria and Albert Museum, but it is Osborne House that allows a personal look into the lives of the Royal couple.

Like most rooms in the home, the Drawing Room is modest in size and reflects the Queen and Prince Albert’s love of the arts.

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* Originally published in March 2016.

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Osborne House

20% off entry when you show your bus ticket*.

Built between 1845 and 1851, Osborne House was initially constructed as a 'holiday home' for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and today it stands as one of the Isle of Wight's most popular tourist attractions. Take an intimate glimpse into Queen Victoria’s family life as you tour the nursery and private rooms of Victoria and Albert's Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Marvel at the magnificence of the Royal Apartments including the sumptuous drawing and dining rooms and the richly decorated Indian-inspired Durbar Room. Admire the stunning view from the terraces across the Solent and stroll through Osborne’s extensive grounds. Don’t miss the miniature Swiss Cottage, built to teach the royal children the art of household management! Explore Queen Victoria's private beach, open to the public for the first time. If visiting Osborne House is part of a day-out itinerary, we have other ideas on how to spend your day trip to the Isle of Wight . 

• Plan Your Visit
• Find Osborne House  prices and opening times.  
• Southern Vectis number 4 bus service goes hourly from Ryde Esplanade bus station, a few minutes walk from our Ryde terminal. Osborne is an approximate 25 minute bus journey. Please visit the   Southern Vectis   website for more information.
• View our flight   timetable  and book your Hover Rover Bus ticket below, show your Hover Rover Bus valid ticket at the entrance and receive 20% off Osborne House entry until 28th March 2024.

Osborne House Estate East Cowes Isle of Wight PO32 6JX

Enjoy a full day exploring Osborne House, the stunning gardens and private beach.

Getting there

• 09:30 Flight departs from Southsea hoverport
• 09:40 Flight arrives at Ryde hoverport
• Short walk from our Ryde hoverport to Ryde Bus Station
• 09:50 Southern Vectis Bus Service 4 departs Ryde Bus Station
• 10:15 Southern Vectis Bus Service 4 arrives Osborne House
• Enjoy a full day at Osborne House

Return journey

• 16:30 Southern Vectis Bus Service 4 departs Osborne House
• 16:57 Southern Vectis bus Service 4 arrives Ryde Bus Station
• Short walk from Ryde Bus Station to our Ryde hoverport
• 17:15 Flight from Ryde hoverport
• 17:25 Flight arrives Southsea hoverport

Please note: this is an example itinerary. Please check our flight times and Southern Vectis bus times ahead of your journey.

• 20% discount is applied to participating site walk up tickets when travelling to site by Hover Rover Bus ticket .
• Discount is valid only from 01/09/23 – 28/03/24
• Discount is only valid for Osborne House.
• Hover Rover Bus ticket will be checked at the point of purchase. If there is no proof of travel you will be asked to pay the ticket price in full and the discount will not be applied. Tickets should be valid for the day of your visit. 
• Discount is valid during normal site operational hours, including daytime events.
• Discount is not valid in association with any other offer and no cash alternative value will be offered.
• Discount is not valid for any evening events or concerts.
• Discount is not valid for group travel or for advance ticket purchases online.
• English Heritage has the right to remove this offer at any point in time.
• For full terms and conditions please visit here  

© Photo Visit Isle of Wight, credit Cam of Sam / Visit Isle of Wight.

Hover Rover Bus Combo Ticket!

Day return flight from Southsea to Ryde plus unlimited travel on Southern Vectis buses >

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• Car Hire - Enterprise Car Club
• Go Taxi Isle of Wight
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Osborne House

Attraction details.

Cost Adult £9.30 Child £5.60 or Free with membership Parking Free Website 🔗 Link

Having signed up as English Heritage members,

Rachael and I decided to get our monies worth whilst holidaying on the Isle of Wight by cramming 3 attractions into the tail end of our trip.

Entry to Osborne House gives you access to the full grounds and a section of the ground floor of the house.   

Osborne House is a former royal residence of Queen Victoria, 

The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat.

We began our tour at the walled gardens which are a short walk from the car park. The gardens contain a variety of flowers, plants, vegetables and fruits.

Walled Gardens

Inside the gardens

Swiss Cottage and Allotments

After this we took the long route around the side of the grounds past some impressively large trees towards Pavillion beach. Here you can see Queen Victoria’s famous ‘Bathing Machine’ and grab a refreshment from the café.

From here we headed uphill along a dirt path in the direction of the Swiss Cottage. Here you can see some of the activities Queen Victoria’s children took part in – including allotments and a playground.

I of course was more interested in the small café that was selling cakes!

The classic

Headed back towards Osborne House from the Swiss Cottage, a small bus stop can be found for a shuttle that supports mobility-impaired visitors enjoy that section of the grounds.

Sneaking a picture of the wife on the way back in to be in keeping with the style of this blog, it was not long before we arrived at the Italian Renaissance style rear courtyard.

This is the perfect place to take a break and enjoy the scenery from its vantage point with the relaxing sounds of the impressive fountain and the faint bustle of other visitors.

From here, you can head back around the building past the restaurant to the main entrance of the house.

My best picture of the trip!

Once inside, the attraction is filled with room after room of royal artefacts, furniture and paintings.

I’ve intentionally kept images from inside the house to just the 3 below to give a flavour. We encourage people to visit to enjoy the surroundings first hand.

One of many white stone statues

Exquisite ceiling

Low rent dining room…

Overall, it was fascinating to see and learn about some of Queen Victoria and Prince Alberts history and personal items (they worshipped their pets!) and take in the beautiful surroundings on a sunny day. A visit is highly recommended. 

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We needed a short walk for Rachael. It just so happens that Warkworth Castle is one of the shortest routes in our guidebook!

Plessey Woods

Morpeth and the Southeast

One of the shortest walks in the guide book was just over 2km at Plessey Woods – perfect for the heavily pregnant wife.

Sycamore Gap

Kielder, Hadrians Wall & Hexham

With what may just have been the final sunshine of 2020, a hike to the famed Sycamore Gap was in order.

Attractions

Helmsley Castle

Attractions , English Heritage

Making the most of the emerging sunshine, we ventured an hour’s drive to Helmsley in North Yorkshire to visit its historic castle and medieval fortress.

Tynemouth Priory and Castle

On a bright but chilly day, we visited Tynemouth Priory and Castle, a historic site on England’s North East coast.

Belsay Hall

On a rare sunny but cold Autumn Sunday, we head to one on our hit list – Belsay Hall, Castle and Gardens in Northumberland.

Rievaulx Abbey

After deciding to use Tesco clubcard vouchers to 3x value on an English Heritage membership – we headed out to Rievaulx Abbey.

Osborne House

Top ways to experience Osborne House and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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OSBORNE HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

​ Y​acht Charter

The salamander sailing adventure.

OSBORNE HOUSE and OSBORNE BAY ISLE OF WIGHT  LUXURY BOAT TRIP

Picnic lunch at anchor in osborne bay on board salamander, menu created by multi award-winning and michelin recommended chef andrew du bourg.

Get in Touch 2 Get on Board

SALAMANDER OF LYMINGTON

with The Salamander Sailing Adventure

OBORNE HOUSE and OSBORNE BAY ISLE OF WIGHT LUXURY BOAT TRIP including PICNIC LUNCH created by multi award-winning and Michelin recommended chef Andrew Du Bourg

Where to see the best view of famous Osborne House and Osborne Bay on the Isle of Wight with The Salamander Needles Isle of Wight Luxury Boat Trip

A full-day cruise exploring the eastern end of the Isle of Wight as far Osborne Bay, passing the entrance to Beaulieu River and Cowes.

Your Salamander Osborne Bay and Osborne House Boat Trip includes a welcoming champagne breakfast on board Salamander of Lymington, an exquisite mouth-watering picnic lunch prepared by Andrew Du Bourg, head chef at the multi award-winning Elderflower Restaurant and afternoon tea on your return passage back to Lymington on your exclusive charter yacht for the day.

Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight. The house was built between 1845 and 1851 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a summer home and rural retreat.

Beautifully presented picnic lunch specially prepared for you by multi award-winning Michelin recommended chef Andrew Du Bourg

Andrew has worked for Derick Quelch of the Goring hotel, London, at Clarence House, assisting with State Banquets and charity fund raising dinners. Andrew then honed his skills at top London restaurants working for Chris Galvin of The Wolseley, Phil Howard of The Square and Pascal Aussignac of Club Gascon where he progressed to Head Chef. With a desire to re-locate to the South Coast, Andrew became Head Chef at 5* Chewton Glen Hotel before setting up with his wife, Marjolaine, the Elderflower Restaurant in Lymington.

The Elderflower Restaurant, is operated from a grade 2 listed building in a cobbled Quay Street in the heart of the beautiful Georgian town of Lymington, sited between the New Forest and the Solent.

Andrew and Marjolaine's aim is to bring fun back into dining, encompassing imaginative cooking, relaxed but efficient service in a stunning venues.

Blue skies – Salamander under full sail ready with crew to take you where the wind blows

Your cruise will be on board the luxury 58 foot ocean-going sailing yacht Salamander of Lymington, which has successfully circumnavigated the world with the current skipper. You will be able to try your hand under supervision, if you wish, or you can sit back and luxuriate in the warmth of the teak pilot house saloon with great wrap round windows. Salamander is heated and perfectly suited for year round use, both sailing and cruising under motor.

Salamander of Lymington - Home port Lymington a charming Georgian cobbled town in Hampshire on the South Coast

Lymington, where Salamander is normally based, is well worth a visit on foot, a charming Georgian town with cobbled streets, with many hotels, banks, pubs, restaurants and independent shops, lying between the New Forest and the Solent, the most famous stretch of sheltered water in the world of sailing, the venue of so many world class events, and just around the corner from the Beaulieu River, Cowes, Yarmouth, The National Trust Reserve at Newtown River, Portsmouth, Southampton, and last but not least the world famous and iconic Needles on the Isle of Wight.

Departure Details for  The Salamander Osborne House and Osborne Bay Boat Trip

The Salamander Osborne House and Osborne Bay Isle of Wight Boat Trip will normally depart Berthon Lymington Marina at 10.00, with views of Lymington River, Yarmouth, Beaulieu River, Cowes and the Isle of Wight, anchoring in Osborne Bay for lunch and returning to Lymington at approximately 16.00.

Times may vary slightly as this Adventure is tide and weather dependant.

Bespoke arrangements can also be made to meet guests in Lymington, Buckler's Hard on the Beaulieu River, Southampton, the Hamble, Portsmouth and Gosport in Hampshire, Cowes and Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight and Poole in Dorset. 

Departure times can be agreed to suit guest’s wishes. 

Lymington, Yarmouth, Cowes, Hamble, Southampton, Portsmouth and Poole are well served by trains and ferries making overland connections for boarding and disembarking Salamander very easy.

Lymington, The New Forest and the Isle of Wight are unique destination venues for some amazing scenery, with luxurious boutique hotels and excellent fine dining providing the perfect backdrop to combine with some wonderful sailing on board Salamander, a traditional yacht with a classically designed teak interior .  

Transfers from hotels can be arranged.

#NewForestAndTheSea

What's included in the price for a Salamander  Osborne House and Osborne Bay Isle of Wight Boat Trip?

Full-day cruise on Salamander for up to 12 guests.

A professional crew of 3, probably the highest crew to guest ratio on the south coast, usually including the round the world owner skipper with tales to tell, so you may relax or take part ... it's up to you.

Full dedicated steward service on board serving champagne, wine, beers soft drinks, tea and coffee.​

Picnic lunch specially prepared for you by Lymington's multi award-winning 5-star chef Andrew Du Bourg of the Michelin recommended Elderflower Restaurant. ​

Parking adjacent to Salamander in Berthon Lymington Marina, Bath Road, Lymington, SO41 3YL

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Let us check availability

And tides   for you.

Comfortable and warm inside for all seasons for your Osborne House and Osborne Bay Boat Trip

TESTIMONIAL - WHAT DO THE SALAMANDER SAILING ADVENTURE GUESTS SAY ?

“ Fabulous Sailing on Salamander ”

"We had a fabulous day with Sue and Chris on their beautiful yacht Salamander, sailing from Lymington to the Isle of Wight for lunch and return.

Chris and Sue have sailed the world on Salamander and their experience shows, immediately from the warm welcome aboard to the fond farewells at the end of a great day out.

Thank you for your hospitality, inspirational tales, yummy food, endless cups of tea and for making us feel so comfortable on a sailing boat.."

Barbronchester, Australia - TripAdvisor Review

Osborne House

Top ways to experience Osborne House and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

OSBORNE HOUSE: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• 3-Day Isle of Wight and the Southern Coast Small-Group Tour from London (From R 12 146,51)
• Osborne House-A driver guided tour of Victoria's Island Paradise (From R 18 413,91)
• Isle of Wight Guided Day Tour from London (From R 2 989,31)
• Gems of the British countryside - sightseeing from Southampton (From R 3 826,28)
• FullDay Private Shore Tour in Isle of Wight from Southampton Port (From R 26 669,05)
• (0.15 km) Albert Cottage - Hotel - Restaurant - Bar
• (0.12 km) Wisteria House
• (0.17 km) Aisla Cottage
• (0.42 km) Crossways House
• (0.30 km) Prince of Wales Pub
• (0.10 km) Swiss Cottage Tea Room
• (0.17 km) Albert Cottage Restaurant
• (0.33 km) Victoria Tavern
• (1.05 km) Prego
• (0.58 km) Osborne House
• (0.88 km) Victoria Tavern
• (1.01 km) Isle Of Wight Coastal Footpath
• (1.36 km) St Mildred's Church
• (2.99 km) The Wight Military and Heritage Museum