Osbourne House

I think we all have wanted to go to Osbourne House at some point while we have been on the Island before but today was the time we did it.  English Heritage have opened the gardens and ground floor to visitors and pre-booking is essential.  I was given an English Heritage membership for my birthday last year but have not been able to use it because of the COVID travel restrictions and it was lovely to be able to use it at such an amazing place.

The gardens were beautifully maintained and it was glorious to wander around them in the sunshine. The House itself is beautiful and full of interesting quirks and, because there is limited entry at the moment, we weren’t rushed around.  The most fascinating room, The Durbar Room, built to add a banqueting space to the House, is elaborately decorated in  plasterboard from moulds and so are intricate but uniform. It’s quite an experience.  

After the House and garden we took a walk to the waterfront to see Queen Victoria’s bathing machine - a contraction to protect Royal modesty - and to the Swiss Cottage.