Photographer Zoe Barker has captured poignant scenes from the former royal residence, in East Cowes, after being allowed access to areas of the property which are closed to the public. However, some rooms within the historic property remain shut off to the general public, including two officers' bedrooms which appear to have remained largely untouched over the last century.
Osborne House was once the favourite royal residence of Queen Victoria, who enjoyed family breaks at the property - miles away from Windsor Castle, which she considered gloomy. Her nine children, including future King Edward VII, learned to swim in the sea and collected shells from the shoreline. In , describing her favourite royal estate, Victoria wrote: 'We have quite a charming beach to ourselves. It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot. Albert likened that part of the Solent to the Bay of Naples and chose to knock down the small Osborne House in place when they took over the estate to make way for his own design, in the style of an Italian Renaissance palazzo.
The work to rebuild the main private residence was carried out by London architect and builder, Thomas Cubitt, whose company built the main facade of Buckingham Palace for the royal couple in Although Albert died just 10 years after the property was completed, Victoria returned to Osborne House and its beach for another 40 years.
After Victoria's death in , Edward VII gave Osborne House to the nation as a memorial to his mother and part of Osborne became a convalescent home for officers. Pictured: A bedroom remains intact exactly how it was when the property was being used as a convalescent home and treated the likes of Robert Graves and AA Milne. Each bedroom featured a bedside table, dressing table, writing desk, chairs and a wardrobe.
Washstands were later replaced by sinks or en-suite facilities. When the convalescent home closed in , a selection of items were saved and are now stored within the Victorian wine cellars. These plates were among the items left. Many have the Osborne House crest on them. Other items to be saved included glasses right , cups, saucers, plates, cutlery, lamps, rubbish bins, coat hangers, bibles, exercise machines, trolleys, bedpans, a microwave and a telex machine.
This is the only bathroom on the second floor of the main wing of Osborne House. It served nine bedrooms when the property was being used as a convalescent home for officers, and there was a second toilet at the far end of the corridor which helped when all rooms were full. The staff married quarters - which were contained within a detached building on the south east side of the main house lie in ruin today pictured. They were once split into six flats and housed a stoker, two porters, a gardener, an office clerk, the chauffeur and their families.
Today, the rooms on the second floor of the main house are either empty or used for storage of furniture once used in the convalescent home. The bedrooms on the left were some of the most desirable within Osborne House with views stretching out across The Solent. The gate was also the site of departures, and none more dramatic than Queen Victoria's final journey from Osborne, after her death in It was through Sovereign's Gate that the Queen left her seaside home for the last time, and where the crowds outside had their first glimpse of her funeral cortege.
After her death in , Edward VII gave Osborne to the nation as a memorial to his mother and part of Osborne became a convalescent home for officers for whom the beach's original bathing pavilion was built. During this time, a convalescent home for officers was also set up within the household and main wings of the property. It was opened in with great pride, boasting the very latest in medical facilities. It was supervised by a House Governor who was always a retired Medical Officer from one of the Services.
The Navy college ran successfully for just under 20 years, but was forced to close in when the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth began training enough cadets to supply the forces. In , Queen Elisabeth II gifted permission for the property to be opened to the public, with English Heritage taking over management of Osborne 30 years later and carrying out restoration works.
Left: This is one of several doors lining one side of a basement corridor, each leading to an interlinked series of coal cellars. The coal and coke was delivered through manhole covers directly into the cellars beneath.
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. 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.
In most recent years, Osborne House's myrtle featured in some high-profile events. 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 most recently Duchess of Sussex, for their wedding bouquets.
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Sign up for the latest travel stories and to hear about our financially-protected holidays, for when the time is right. Type keyword s to search. Jim Holden. Where is Osborne House? Osborne House: Osborne beach and bathing machine Jim Holden. We know very little of the early history of Osborne before the estate was purchased by the Blachford family in The Blachfords enlarged an existing house to create a large three-storey house with a stable block and walled garden.
The last Blachford owner was Lady Isabella, who first leased, then sold the estate to the royal family for 28, pounds. The house was too small for the royal family and their servants so they decided to extend it. Technically the royal couple should have asked the Department of Woods and Forests to undertake the work, as they were responsible for all government architecture.
Prince Albert, however, disliked dealing with the Department and wanted to exert more direct control on the works, so they hired architect Thomas Cubitt.
Swiss Cottage. The house entrance. The walled garden. Levante, Cowes - 1. Oak Cliff Place, Ryde - 2. Aquanaut, Gurnard - 2. Villa Rothsay Hotel - 2. Langham Court - 9.
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