Osborne House

Isle of Wight

Old postcards are sometimes poorly produced and grainy, I've done my best to scan them. Please click thumbnails for full size picture. Dates are from the card or my estimate (where possible).

This picture, by Brannon 1880, shows Osborne House

across the River Medina. Whippingham Church is on the left.

" This royal manor was anciently called Austerbourne or Oysterbourne, and it is said derives its name from 'the oyster beds of the Medina' .......... the estate passed onto the hands of one Eustace Mann, who, during the Civil War, buried a mass of gold and silver coins in a coppice still known as 'Money Coppice', and having forgotten to mark the spot, was never afterwards to recover his treasure."

From Blacks Guide to the Isle of Wight 1870

"Osborne House, the stately marine residence where Queen Victoria spent so many quiet days, and where on January 22, 1901 she passed away, must always possess the deepest interest for English men and women.

Queen Victoria purchased the estate from Lady Isabella Blachford in 1845, and the work began at once on the new building, which, designed by Thomas Cubitt and the Prince Consort (Albert), is of the Palladium type. Many additions were made later to the building.

In 1902, immediately after the Coronation of King Edward VII, an act was passed setting out that the king had 'signified his gracious pleasure that the Osborne estate should be handed over so as to become part of the public property of the Sovereign, and that provision should be made for the use of Osborne House and grounds as a memorial of her late Majesty Queen Victoria'.

The management of the house and grounds is vested in the Commissioners of Works (now English Heritage). The wings of the house have been converted into a Convalescent home for about sixty Officers of the various services (recently closed).

In the grounds was built the Royal Naval College, opened by King Edward VII on August 4th 1903, but closed in 1921.

.... Swiss Cottage was a 'play' house specially built for the Royal children who spent a great deal of time there. "

From Ward Lock Red Guide (about 1930), my additions in italics.


The Prince of Wales, Osborne. The entrance gate is on the middle right. From the early 1900's. (Knight)	The entrance lodge (now the main entrance) around 1910

The entrance lodge from the other side, about the same date	The entrance gate used by Queen Victoria, and through which she was taken after her death. They reputedly remained closed for many years afterwards.

Outside


Aerial view of Osborne House, probably from around 1970. (MPBW)	Osborne House, East Front dated about 1909 - also contains the wording 'Where Queen Victoria died January 22nd 1901. The Kings gift to the nation.'

Osborne House and Terrace from the garden, undated	Osborne House, West Front dated about 1907

A more unusual view, Osborne from the north around 1910	The Terrace Gardens, undated. This card and the next one were published by H M Officer of Works

Osborne House Terrace looking towards the Solent	Swiss Cottage, about half a mile from the house, where the children of Queen Victoria played.

Osborne Royal Naval College, built in the grounds of Osborne House, probably from around 1910	Another view of Osborne Royal Naval College, again probably from around 1910

Osborne House (page2)

All postcards on this page are from my own collection.

Osborne House

Isle of Wight

3 March 2008