How to find Osborne House and Gardens Quick and frequent crossings from the mainland make Osborne easy to reach FERRY CROSSING FROM SOUTHAMPTON WEST COWES THE SOLENT EAST COWES A34 WINCHESTER A36 14 2 4 3 1 SOUTHAMPTON 11 M3 9 M27 LONDON A31 A272 A32 A3 1 A3(M) Osborne House and Gardens Exclusive events in unique historic surroundings 12 5 A27 A30 2 0 A 3021 YORK AVENUE P OSBORNE B AY OSBORNE HOUSE AND GARDENS LYMINGTON COWES OSBORNE HOUSE AND GARDENS YARMOUTH PORTSMOUTH NEWPORT FISHBOURNE RYDE ISLE OF WIGHT For further information please contact the Hospitality Manager Telephone 01983 203055 Facsimile 01983 281380 Email hospitality@english-heritage.org.uk Osborne House York Avenue East Cowes Isle of Wight PO32 6JY www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality
Osborne House, Queen Victoria s Isle of Wight home, provides a sumptuous setting for corporate events or private parties.
Celebrate in style Few other venues with the cachet of Osborne House can offer both the location and the facilities for those who want to entertain on a grand scale in style. The lavish interiors and glorious grounds provide a spectacular setting for every occasion. From a special gathering of family and friends to a corporate dinner, grand reception, concert or glittering ball, choosing this island palace-by-thesea will ensure your event is truly memorable. Osborne House was built in 1845 for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert as a country retreat where they could be free from much of the formality of state ceremony.
Queen Victoria and Prince Albert so loved the Isle of Wight that they built themselves a seaside villa at East Cowes. However, Osborne House is no ordinary holiday home. A palace-beside-thesea is a more appropriate description of this exquisite Italianate house and extensive estate. The Royal couple escaped to Osborne regularly, ensuring they were there on 24 May each year to celebrate the Queen s birthday and almost always for the Prince s birthday on 26 August. After Prince Albert s untimely death in 1861, the distraught Queen retreated to Osborne for several months, but thereafter avoided being there on these poignant dates. Nonetheless, the Queen spent much of other parts of each year at Osborne up to her death in 1901. Guests can arrive in style by horse-drawn carriage and so relive the splendour and elegance of the Victorian age. The Royal Archives 2004 Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
The Durbar Room reflects Queen Victoria s role as Empress of India, and was constructed in 1890 to provide Osborne with a state banqueting hall. Remarkably ornate, the room was designed by Lockwood Kipling (father of author Rudyard Kipling) and Bhai Ram Singh, an Indian master craftsman, who supervised the construction of the fine plaster mouldings. Dinners take place amid an exquisite collection of priceless treasures given to Queen Victoria. Musicians can add to the unique atmosphere from a minstrels gallery above. Osborne House Durbar Room Capacity Dining 40 Painstakingly intricate, the decoration includes a representation of Ganesha, the Hindu elephant god of good fortune and a life-sized plaster peacock, Indian symbol of good luck.
The Victoria Hall at Osborne House occupies what was once Queen Victoria s private Chapel. With beautiful arched doors opening onto the Garden Terraces, sophisticated dinners and receptions can spill out onto the landscape beyond. The adjoining Orangery, which once protected tender potted plants from the winter weather, now also hosts stylish occasions. Its double doors leading to the terraces make it an especially lovely location for drinks before dinner on balmy summer evenings. Osborne House Victoria Hall and Orangery Victoria Hall capacity Drinks reception 100 Dining 80 Dinner dance 80 Theatre style 90 Board room 50 Orangery capacity Drinks reception 40 After Queen Victoria s death, the Chapel was renamed the Victoria Hall. It was used to host parties and dances, including one in 1922 to celebrate the marriage of Princess Mary, the Princess Royal.
The Duchess of Kent Suite was named after Queen Victoria s mother, who used these rooms during her regular visits to Osborne. This private, self-contained suite of rooms can be used for daytime and evening events throughout the year.the main room can accommodate conferences for up to 50 delegates theatre style and has direct access to the garden terraces. The three adjoining rooms also overlook the terraces and are ideal for boardroom meetings and small intimate dinners. Osborne House Duchess of Kent Suite Capacity Drinks reception 70 Dining 40 Theatre style 50 Boardroom 16 In 1893, the suite was used by the future King George V and Queen Mary for their honeymoon.today, the bridal party can use these rooms to prepare and relax before and during the reception.
The Garden Terraces give a grand sense of occasion. Guests can sip cocktails amid flowers and fountains framed by the backdrop of the house and admire breathtaking views of rolling parkland and the Solent Bay beyond. The views are instantly recognisable as scenes from the widely acclaimed drama Mrs Brown, filmed on location in 1996 and starring Dame Judi Dench and Billy Connolly. The Walled Gardens offer evocative scents and nostalgic prettiness and a picturesque setting for smaller drinks receptions. Osborne House Garden Terraces and Walled Gardens Garden Terrace capacity Drinks reception 250 Walled Garden capacity Drinks reception 150 The architectural style of Osborne was greatly influenced by Prince Albert s love of Italy. It is said that the view across the Solent reminded him of the Bay of Naples.
Until the Durbar Room was built, dining in tents on the Durbar Lawn was a regular occurrence for large gatherings at Osborne House - a tradition which continues today. The sweeping Durbar Lawn, located adjacent to the House, is large enough to host several thousand people. Overlooking the Terraces, the location is perfect for glittering marquee dinners for up to 2,500 guests and outdoor classical concerts for up to 6,500. Events here take on a special kind on magic as darkness falls on this unique island setting. The surrounding grounds can also accommodate large-scale events such as garden shows and antique fairs. Osborne House Marquees and Outdoor Events Marquee capacity Drinks reception 2500 Dining 2500 Diner dance 2500 Theatre style 2500 Outdoor Events capacity 6500 Much of life at Osborne for Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their nine children was lived outside. Breakfast was regularly taken outdoors and walking on the estate was enjoyed by the whole family. On fine days, the Queen worked under the shade of trees or in tents on the Durbar Lawn.
Osborne House Private Beach Capacity Drinks reception 400 Dining 400 Queen Victoria particularly enjoyed the tranquillity of her island refuge: It is impossible to imagine a prettier spot we have a charming beach quite to ourselves we can walk anywhere without being followed or mobbed. At the edge of the estate, the private beach is available for informal yet stylish outdoor parties and barbeques. Available for daytime or evening events, the beach offers excellent views of the Solent and yachts as they sail by.those arriving by yacht for an occasion at Osborne on the beach or elsewhere on the estate may drop anchor within the shelter of the secluded bay.
English Heritage offers an expanding portfolio of unique historic properties to hire for corporate and private events, shows and concerts. Many of the properties are also licensed for civil wedding ceremonies. Choose from grand houses where royalty and nobility entertained, classic castles where the course of history was changed, and elegant London locations for smart city celebrations. Our Hospitality Managers are on hand to offer advice, expertise and the personal touch for your event. Clients can also be assured that carefully selected top-class suppliers will be dedicated to providing the finest service. Wellington Arch London Eltham Palace London Chiswick House London For more information on exclusive hire please email us hospitality@english-heritage.org.uk or visit our website www.english-heritage.org.uk/hospitality Kenwood House London English Heritage Lecture Theatre London Bolsover Castle Derbyshire Audley End House & Gardens Essex Dover Castle Kent Walmer Castle & Gardens Kent Deal Castle Kent Osborne House & Gardens Isle of Wight Pendennis Castle Cornwall St Mawes Castle Cornwall Portland Castle Dorset Old Wardour Castle Wiltshire
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