Historic Places in Isle of Wight

Get an unforgettable glimpse into the private family life of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert at Osborne on the Isle of Wight. From sumptuous interiors and art collections inside, to a peaceful beach and marvellous gardens outside, a day out at Osborne has something for everyone. Explore Osborne’s vast grounds, follow the interactive tree trail and find the unusual Swiss Cottage, where the royal children played, gardened, cooked and collected unusual objects in their own private museum. Victoria and Albert bought and built Osborne to fulfil the queen’s desire for a ‘place of one’s own – quiet and retired’. Its dazzling interiors, art collection, gardens and grounds reflect their personal passions, taste and style. Don't miss the Victoria Hall Restaurant – one of four food and drink outlets you’ll find around the estate. There are also plenty of great picnicking spots throughout the grounds, and a play area to explore. Please note, during winter months the Swiss Cottage is closed while, in the house, only the ground floor is open. Osborne has been awarded a Bronze Green Impact Award,

This is (or was) a tide mill. Once upon a time the incoming or outgoing tide was used to turn the machinery. A large pond could store high tide water for use as the tide fell. It is a listed building so we’ll let the listing citation tell us about it. Former tide mill and miller’s house, now house. Mid C18 altered in C19. Mainly red brick in English bond with some grey headers and bands of grey headers between 1st and 2nd floors and above 2nd floor. Slate roof with end brick chimneystacks. 3 storeys and attics. 6 windows. All windows to front have cambered heads. 1st floor has 2 sashes, otherwise mainly casements. 2 simple doorcases (the left hand side was formerly the mill, the right hand side the house). 2 S-shaped iron ties and deep plinth. North front has 5 S-shaped iron ties and 16-pane sash. South front has 5 S-shaped iron tiles. 3 C19 sashes with verticals only and horns and 3 C20 sashes. Ground floor is of coursed stone rubble. 1 storey C18 addition to right of red brick with tiled roof hipped to one side. C20 window and 1 S-shaped iron tie. Rear elevation has irregular fenestration with mainly C19 casements in C18 surrounds. Now I like these rather industrial buildings although some might think it out of place in rural West Wight. But of course, this was and is a working and living community. Moving water was an ideal power source for milling.

Gather family and friends for a memorable stay in this large seven-bedroom farmhouse. Carefully restored to preserve the spirit of the place and its 18th-century features, each room invites you to explore its heritage. Spacious bedrooms, two sitting rooms and a large dining table make it perfect for those special family occasions. But if it all gets a bit too hectic, you can enjoy a moment of peace in its lawned garden with sea views in the distance. There are plenty of opportunities for surfing, walking, swimming and even fossil hunting on the Isle of Wight’s dinosaur coastline. Compton Bay and Brook beach are both a five minute drive from here.

One of the Isle of Wight’s beautiful historic houses, set in five acres of tranquil gardens with a stunning historic view overlooking Natural Parkland, Brading Haven, Bembridge Harbour and across the Solent. Subject to availability the Gardens are available for exclusive group visits for part of the year. Some rooms of the house and parts of the gardens are available for exclusive weddings or special occasions.