East Cowes, Isle of Wight

Step inside 5 Osborne Cottage

Steeped in Royal history, Osborne Cottage was built at the request of Queen Victoria to house the crowned heads of Europe when visiting her at Osborne House.

The house was built under the supervision of Prince Albert by the builder of Sandringham and the Royal Mausoleum. Shortly after completion in 1856 the Cottage welcomed the Emperor and Empress of France and subsequently accommodated such dignitaries as the Tsar and Tsarina of Russia, the Spanish Royal Family, and many others.

During the years from 1858 up to nearly the end of the 19th century Osborne Cottage was used by a variety of high-ranking people. Sometimes the Queen’s grown-up children and their families had it for holidays (e.g. The Queen’s first child The Princess Royal and her children had it in August 1884, whilst in August 1879 Prince Alfred and his family were there) and sometimes the Queen’s friend Empress Eugenie took it for a few weeks to be near the Queen when she was in residence at Osborne.

On January 14th 1878, when the telephone was demonstrated to Queen Victoria by Alexander Graham Bell at Osborne House, a line was set up between Osborne House and Osborne Cottage and the Queen was so impressed that she bought the equipment.

Princess Beatrice was Queen Victoria’s youngest daughter. When Beatrice’s husband Prince Henry died at sea in January 1896, she and her family vacated their quarters in Osborne House and lived at the Cottage. During the courtship of Princess Beatrice’s daughter, her future husband King Alfonso Xlll of Spain often came to visit.

Princes Edward and George (later King Edward Vlll and King George Vl), who attended the Royal Naval College at Osborne would come to Osborne Cottage “to have tea with Aunt B.”

In 1913 Princess Beatrice moved into Carisbrooke Castle and Osborne Cottage was taken by Mr Burbridge, managing director of Harrods.

Winston Churchill visited Osborne Cottage as a child.

In 2015 the original Cottage was split into separate houses and the current owners have spent the time since then restoring their part of the property and sympathetically converting it to a comfortable 4 bedroomed home.

The accommodation is set out over 2 storeys and comprises:

Porte Cochere with fluted pillars, dentil mouldings and sunburst arches leading to:

Ground floor

Entrance Lobby (10’5 x 10’) with ornate double front doors, original geometric Minton tiled floor and refurbished original heating grate. From the lobby, double doors with original engraved glass lead to:

Dining Hall (29’8 x 16’5) features an impressive, cantilevered stone staircase with scrolled iron balustrades and newel with original elaborate brass lamp. Oak parquet floor and granite fireplace incorporating a multi-fuel log burner. Window with original sliding sash shutters which rise from below the windowsill. Beneath the staircase is an original, working, marble-topped radiator with cast iron grilles.

The stairwell is set in an impressive full height atrium beneath a domed lantern window. The lantern has an 8’ diameter and 12 window panes allowing light to flood down. It is surrounded by decorative moulding and plasterwork.

The Yellow Drawing Room (34’5 into bay x 17’9) is entered via ornate double doors with original mouldings and finger plates and features elegant scrolled, classical swagged plasterwork to ceiling and wall panels, double doors to garden and impressive tiled fireplace with marble surround and carved wooden mantle. The original brass grilled floor heating system has modern radiators incorporated underneath it. Original full-height shutters.

Library (20’9 into bay x 16’9) with original fitted bookshelves including leather bound “faux” bookfronted cupboards, marble fireplace and French doors to garden.

The Kitchen (14’6 x 13’9) has been designed with all the modern conveniences whilst retaining the Victorian character of the property.

Cloakroom with low level WC and wash hand basin.

Study (9’5 x 8’3) with cast iron diamond and lozenge windows (these windows are repeated in many areas of the house).

Laundry Room (8’ X 4’) with washing machine, tumble dryer, butler sink and solid oak worktops with cupboards beneath. Original sliding sash shutters.

Store Room An “L” shaped room housing the gas and electricity meters.

Travel Information

4.5 miles from Fishbourne to Portsmouth Ferry Terminal

0.8 miles from East Cowes to Southampton Ferry Terminal

7.5 miles from Ryde High Speed Catamaran & Hover Travel

Southern Vectis Buses routes provide regular services through the area, connecting you to all the areas of the island. For ticket prices visit www. islandbuses.info

Leisure Clubs & Facilities

1Leisure Medina, Newport 4.2 miles

Lakeside Spa & Hotel, Wootton 3.8 miles

Ryde Golf Club, Binstead

Osborne Golf Club, East Cowes

East Cowes Marina

East Cowes Sailing Club

Local Attractions / Landmarks

Osborne House - East Cowes

Quarr Abbey - Binstead

Robin Hill Country Adventure Park - Downend

Carisbrooke Castle - Newport

Monkey Haven – Primate Rescue Centre – Newport

Butterfly World - Newport

Isle of Wight Steam Railway – Havenstreet

Amazon World - Newchurch

Classic Boat Museum, East Cowes

6.4 miles

Primary Schools Springhill Pre School, East Cowes

Queensgate Foundation Primary School, East Cowes 01983 292872

Holy Cross Primary School, East Cowes 01983 292885

Priory School of Our Lady of Walsingham, East Cowes 01983 861222

Binstead Primary School, Binstead 01983 562341

Fiveways Primary School, Ryde 01983 616272

Haylands Primary School, Ryde 01983 563372

Wootton Community Primary School, Wootton 01983 882505

Secondary Schools/Colleges:

Cowes Enterprise College, Cowes 01983 203103

Carisbrooke College, Newport 01983 524651

Christ The King Upper College 01983 537 070

Medina College 01983 861 222

Ryde Academy, Ryde 01983 567331

Ryde School with Upper Chine School, Ryde 01983 562229

The Island VI Form 01983 522886

Isle of Wight College 01982 526631

Learning Assisted Schools:

Medina House, School Lane, Newport 01983 522 917

St. Georges, Watergate Road, Newport 01983 524 634

St Catherines, Grove Road, Ventnor 01983 852722

Entertainment

The Lifeboat, East Cowes

The Folly Inn, Whippingham

Consort Restaurant at Albert Cottage, East Cowes

The Victoria Tavern, East Cowes

Woodman’s Arms, Wootton

The Cedars, Woottton

Fishbourne Inn, Fishbourne

The Sloop Inn, Wootton

Cibo, Wootton

Prego, East Cowes

These bars and restaurants are available within a 10-minute or less drive of this home

Healthcare

Doctors Surgeries

East Cowes Medical Centre, East Cowes 01983 284333

Argyll Surgery, West Street, Ryde 01983 562955

The Tower House Surgery, Rink Road, Ryde 01983 811431

Ryde Health & Wellbeing Centre, Ryde 01983 618444

Medina Healthcare, Wootton 01983 522198

General Hospitals

St Mary’s Hospital, Parkhurst Road, Newport 5.8 miles (01983 822099)

First Floor

The magnificent wide stairway leads to a galleried landing with original ornate fluted pillars.

Bedroom 1 (22’7 x into bay x 17’11) Ornate fireplace with tiled hearth. Beautiful original pitch pine flooring and original shutters to the windows.

Bedroom 2 (18’ into bay 17’10) Original fireplace with tiled hearth, pitch pine flooring and original shutters.

Bathroom (7’4 x 7’4) Claw-foot roll top bath with shower over, high level cistern w.c. and basin. Original sliding sash shutters. Solid oak flooring.

Bedroom 3 (15’1 into bay x 12’5) Original fireplace with tiled hearth. Pitch pine floor. Bay window and original wooden shutters.

Bedroom 4 (16’5 x 12’5) Original fireplace and slate hearth. Archway to:

Large Dressing Area (10’2 x 9’11) featuring original built-in wardrobe cupboards with drawers under. This room has a view towards one of the property’s two gardens and the grounds of Osborne House beyond.

Family Bathroom (17’ max x 9’9) Claw foot slipper bath, ornate patterned high-level cistern w.c. with matching patterned basin, separate large shower and solid oak flooring.

Outside

The house is approached by a long, shared driveway with car park. It enjoys a garden to the rear and side which is part lawned and bounded by mature hedging with an original mosaic paving adjacent to the house. Garden shed 20’ x 6’.

On the Osborne House side of the property there is an additional large lawned garden surrounded by hedging.

Services & Heating

The central heating system is provided by a top-of-the range Vaillant system boiler with three heating “Zones” for maximum comfort and fuel efficiency. Parts of the original heating system dating back to 1856 have been upgraded to incorporate modern radiators within the original surrounds and grilles. The multi-fuel log burner in the dining hall allows heat to permeate the house via the atrium to warm both the ground floor and upper rooms.

The following mains services are connected to the property: Electricity, gas, water and foul drainage.

Agents notes: All measurements are approximate and for general guidance only and whilst every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, they must not be relied on. The fixtures, fittings and appliances referred to have not been tested and therefore no guarantee can be given that they are in working order. Internal photographs are reproduced for general information and it must not be inferred that any item shown is included with the property. For a free valuation, contact the numbers listed on the brochure. Copyright © 2024 Fine & Country Ltd. Registered in England and Wales. Company Reg No. 2597969. Registered Office: Pittis & Co Ltd/ Arun Estate Agencies Ltd, St Leonards House, North Street, Horsham, West Sussex, RH12 1RJ. Printed 29.04.2024

Fine & Country

Tel: +44 (0)1983 520000

isleofwight@fineandcountry.com