When Mary and I went cruising last year we were based out of Southampton. We had a couple of days on shore between the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth cruises so together with our travelling companions we headed for the ferry to travel across to the Isle of Wight for an afternoon of exploring.
It was a short ferry ride and we headed for one of the local pubs to have a meal. It was well over 150 years old and very quaint. We asked what the best sights to see in an afternoon where clearly the locals we spoke to were very proud of a particular house so we headed off for the bus to get out there.
Osborne House is a former residence of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. More of a palace than a house however. According to the information provided it was designed by the Prince himself and built between 1845 and 1851. Over the years it has been used as a residence, by the Military as a training venue and has sizeable stables on the property.
The House is open to the public for tours and you can see most rooms in the house, including former living quarters of the Royal family of the time.
We were there on a lovely afternoon in early June. The gardens were spectacular and “large”. The house itself is imposing and well maintained by a Trust. You do pay to gain admittance, but the cost was worth it in my mind.
I was blown away by the art work that is now held and displayed, some very large and some “quite suggestive” if you get my drift. I really enjoyed walking through the various quarters used by the family. I particularly noted the difference in standards between those that served and those being served. The former must have been fit carrying food etc from the lower ground kitchens up several flights of narrow stairs to the living quarters.
There was a lift in the house just for the Queen to use going between her quarters and the Indian Room on a lower floor. Really basic and manually operated by ropes and man power. Also fitted in the Queens living quarters were a “modern” shower cubicle which was more like a cooper cupboard and a huge metal bath which had a wooden lid over it.
There was also a private beach at the bottom of the gardens which was a long hike from the house. We could see this beach from the deck of the Queen Elizabeth when we departed Southampton the following day.
Queen Victoria’s infatuation with India came through in the section of the House put aside for this purpose and the colours were still very vibrant and did contrast with other sections of the House.
We spent several hours walking around inside and, in the gardens, so much so that we were constrained by time and could not see much of the Isle as we would have liked. We would certainly like to get back to explore the Isle’s other attractions.
The photos were taken on my phone and do not do the subject justice so I would suggest that if you get over to England, take time to travel to the Isle of Wight and have a look at this piece of history.