There was originally no grand reception room at Osborne. ![]() In 1880 a private chapel was built and in 1887 the male dormitory was extended to accommodate the Indian servants who made up part of the royal household during the later years of her reign. In 1866 a smoking room was built near the household wing.Ĭhanging circumstances in Queen Victoria’s life prompted alterations to her accommodation too. In 1862 a museum was added near the Swiss Cottage to house the children’s growing collections. Osborne was very much his creation, and the estate lost its principal creative force when he died in 1861.Īdditions were made to the estate, however, as the royal family’s needs changed. Prince Albert’s energetic remodelling of Osborne is all the more remarkable when it is remembered that he was fully occupied with public duties as well as overseeing alterations at Balmoral in Scotland and the improvement of the home farm at Frogmore, Windsor. ![]() The grounds incorporated an extensive network of new walks and drives totalling 21 miles in length by 1864, including a route around the perimeter of the park. Prince Albert supervised the design of the formal gardens around the house in addition to the remodelling of the parkland and pleasure grounds. In 1860 stables for 50 horses plus carriages were completed to the south, and the former stables were remodelled to provide augmented kitchen facilities and accommodation for servants. In 1853–4 a timber Swiss Cottage was built for the royal children in their own garden nearly a mile to the east of the house. ![]() Other building projects included estate cottages and lodges, a dormitory for male servants, and a landing house for the coastguard, with a sea wall along the coastal edge of the estate. Neighbouring Barton Manor was thoroughly ‘restored’ by Cubitt and its outbuildings were organised as a model farm. The terraces on the north-east side of the Pavilion and main wing were designed to complement the house and are filled with the signature features of classical Italian gardens. The main wing was used initially by the royal children. The household wing, containing accommodation for members of the royal household who accompanied Queen Victoria to Osborne, was completed in 1848.Īfter the old house was demolished in 1848, the main wing, completed in 1851, was built on its site, and was linked by a long corridor to the household wing. The first phase of building was completed in 1846 with the Pavilion, housing the private rooms of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and the royal nurseries. Ĭubitt recommended that rather than alter the old house it would be best to build a new one, and proceeded to design it in collaboration with Prince Albert. Instead he commissioned Thomas Cubitt (1788–1855), the master builder and developer of much of the Duke of Westminster’s Belgravia estate in London, to advise him. Queen Victoria and Prince Albert did not want to be restricted by the Department of Woods and Forests, which was then in charge of all government building, so Prince Albert bypassed the department’s architects. As the existing house was too small, an extension was required. The estate was initially leased, then bought in May 1845 for £28,000. The Osborne estate, then owned by Lady Isabella Blachford, was recommended to them by the Prime Minister, Sir Robert Peel (1788–1850). In 1843 Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were looking for a seaside retreat for their growing family to escape the pressures of London and Windsor. ![]() LOGIN TO MEMBERS' AREA LOGIN TO THE MEMBERS' AREA REGISTER FOR THE MEMBERS' AREA
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