Osborne House, Isle of Wight, England

 

Introduction

This evening, I am reporting on the former royal residence of Osborne House, near Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

Information on Osborne House 

This property was owned and used by Queen Victoria and her family as a private residence for more than 50 years. Readers will be aware that during most of the the period of her occupancy, Victoria was, arguably, the richest and most powerful person in world. She died in 1901 with the House opening to the public in 1904.

The building is of Italianate design. It was completed in 1851 by the building contractor Thomas Cubitt of London.

As will be evident from the portfolio of images herein, the internal furnishings reflect the tastes of the Victorian era.

The Durbar Room laid out for a banquet 

 Queen Victoria

 Quality and variety of internal decor

 

 Queen Victoria's Bedroom. She died in this room on Jan 22nd, 1901.

View from Prince Albert's room

The allegorical fresco Neptune Resigning the Empire of the Seas to Britannia demonstrating Britain's supremacy as a world power.

Billiard Room

Illustration of high quality plaster moulding on ceiling.

Room with view

Classical Statue


Exterior View

View towards Cowes and mainland

Portrait of Sarah (Aina) Forbes Bonetta Davies (1843-1880).Brought to England as diplomatic gift in 1850 from Benin by the Royal Navy in context of a mission to suppress the slave trade. Sarah was taken to Windsor Castle and became Queen Victoria's protege.She died of tuberculosis in 1880.

Magnificent trees in garden

The cork oak tree is a unique evergreen tree primarily found in the Mediterranean region. it is renowned for its thick, 'corky' bark that is harvested for various uses including wine stoppers.


Overall, Osborne House is an excellent site which-inter alia- provides a superb insight into the Victorian era. 

Other interesting visitor sites on the Isle of Wight include:

 

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