Chairman's Newsletter - March 2026
Thursday 19th March 2026
Friends of Osborne Newsletter March 2026
Dear Members,
At present Osborne is open Wednesdays to Sundays from 10am to 4pm.
From 29th March to 30th June daily from 10am to 5pm.
The library in the House will be open to members on Mondays and Fridays from 1st April from 10:00 - 12:00. There is a wonderful range of books relating to Osborne and Victorian history available. Click here for more information Friends of Osborne | Osborne Library - 2026
Our calendar of events for 2026 now include:
Easter Flower Arranging 26th March
Please click here for more information of this workshop. Friends of Osborne | Easter Flower Arranging Workshop
An Historical Introduction to the IOW by Kevin Shaw, 27th March
Please click here for more information of this talk Friends of Osborne | An Historical Introduction to the IOW - Kevin Shaw
A ‘Yotties’ Tail by Jay Sowerby, 17th April
Please click here for more information of this talk Friends of Osborne | A Yotties Tail by Jay Sowerby
Spring Colour Walk 22nd April
This event is now fully booked.
Margaret Cameron and Dimbola Lodge 6th May
Please click here for more information of this visit. Friends of Osborne | Dimbola Lodge
Guided talk of the Terraces and Walled Garden 8th May
This event is now fully booked
Treasure Hunt Wednesday 27th May
New for this year we are holding a Treasure Hunt around the grounds of Osborne which we hope will appeal to regular visitors and those who wish to discover areas and facts that they may not previously be aware of. This has been organised for the May half-term week so members with children can also join in the fun.
Please click here for more information of this event. Friends of Osborne | Treasure Hunt
Barton Manor Guided Tour Monday 15th June
A chance to visit Barton Manor Gardens and Farm with a guided tour by Sarah Burdett
This tour will also include a walk down to the private beach to view the D Day Mulberry Harbour remains. The tour will start at 3:00 pm to ensure that the beach is reached at low tide. The walk to the beach will take approximately 20 minutes down a rough track, uphill on the way back.
Please click here for more information of this visit Friends of Osborne | Barton Manor
Hidden Tour of Osborne 24th June
Come and join us at our exclusive Hidden Tour of Osborne House, led by the Curator of the Royal Collection Dr. Christopher Warleigh-Lack who will guide you around unexpected areas of the House, which are not open to the public. Anecdotal stories and in-depth explanations, by Christopher, will help you to visualise life in the House from Victorian to more contemporary times.
Please click here for more information of this tour. Friends of Osborne | Hidden Tour 2026
Drinks and Canapés on the Terrace Friday 17th July
More details to follow
Guided talk of the Terraces and Walled Garden Friday 17th July
Due to their oversubscribed Spring tour, Frances and Cynthia, two garden volunteers, have agreed to give an additional Summer tour of the Terraces and in the Walled Garden.
In July we should be able to see the Terraces in all their summer glory, while in the walled garden there should be an abundance of summer produce.
Please click here for more information of this tour. Friends of Osborne | Guided Talk of the Terraces and Walled Garden
Trip to Windsor Castle 19th September
The trip will include coach and ferry travel and entry into Windsor Castle. Members will have the opportunity to visit the State Apartments, Queen Mary’s Doll’s House and St. George’s Chapel.
Booking needs to be made by April 30th.
For more details and booking forms click here. Friends of Osborne | Visit to Windsor Castle
In our last meeting with Victoria Stone, General Manager, the Committee were pleased to authorise the payment for the installation of the information panels to accompany the exhibition of Queen Victoria’s Funeral Model.
This year marks the 125th anniversary of the death of Queen Victoria at Osborne.
The Queen’s body did not lie-in-state, as is customary in order for the public to pay their respects, so the only time the public could see the coffin was during its procession from Osborne House to the royal yacht in East Cowes. The procession from Osborne was therefore significant, and a model of the funeral cortege was produced. This model was offered by local community groups to English Heritage at Osborne for display.
The model and this display will be presented in the Household Dining Room, from 28th March to 31st October.
Membership of the Friends continues to be very popular, and we have again had to temporarily close our waiting list when it neared 200. We will reopen this when the current number waiting to become members is reduced to a more manageable level. Reminders have been sent to members whose memberships expire at the end of the month. A further automated reminder will be sent shortly to those who have still to renew. If you wish to remain a member, please do not allow your membership to lapse. Any memberships not renewed will automatically be offered to those next on the waiting list.
Friends of Osborne