April 2026 Newsletter
Friday 24th April 2026
Dear Members,
At present Osborne is open daily from 10am to 5pm.
The library in the House will be open to members on Mondays and Fridays. Click here for more information Friends of Osborne | Osborne Library - 2026
Members enjoyed our recent events.
Our first event of the year was an Easter Flower Workshop. This was held on March 26th and a wide range of flower arrangements were produced by members.
Click here for pictures Friends of Osborne | Easter Flower Workshop
Sixty members booked Kevin Shaw’s talk on March 27th. He gave us a fascinating insight into the history of the Isle of Wight.
Click here for pictures Friends of Osborne | IOW Past and Present
A Yottie's Tail talk by Jay Sowerby on April 17th. If you want to know what a Yottie's Tail is, please click here to find the answer and to see other photos from the talk. Friends of Osborne | A Yottie's Tail
After the talk some members took the opportunity to visit the current exhibition of Queen Victoria's Funeral Model which has been sponsored/funded by FoO.
Current Exhibitions at Osborne sponsored by FoO.
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 now customary, 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, by Alan Fyson, one of our members, over a 10-year period. FoO funded the information panels, with two engineering apprentices from GKN designing the Perspex cover.
The model will be on display in the Household Dining Room, from 28th March to 31st October.
Victorian artist Emma Gaggiotti
An exhibition of the paintings by Victorian artist Emma Gaggiotti, known as Mrs Richards. This new exhibition includes a self-portrait, on loan from the Royal Collection, and her interpretations of Faith, Hope, Charity, Religion and Aurora, commissioned by Prince Albert. FoO funded the lighting for the paintings.
This exhibition will be on display near the Durbar Room from 28th March.
Presentation by Professor van Slyk
Professor Abigail Van Slyck is at Osborne on Saturday 16th May giving a talk from her book Playhouses and Privilege The talk will focus on the two chapters exploring Swiss Cottage entitled ‘Raising Royals in the age of Sentiment’ and ‘A Pastoral Paradise for Young Royals’.
This talk, arranged by English Heritage, will be in the Education Suite and will cost £7.50, which will include tea and coffee from 2:00 pm with a 2:30 start. If interested, please contact Osborne direct for booking details.
Members have been booking events quickly and many are fully booked already. However, events still available for booking in 2026 include:
Those members booked on Friday 8th May Guided talk of the Terraces and Wall Garden, please meet by the green gate at 10.20. We will then proceed to the courtyard by the Education Rooms for 10.30, where you will split into two groups of 12. Please wear sensible shoes.
‘How well do you know Osborne?’ Treasure Hunt - Wednesday 27th May
This is your chance to WIN A FREE YEAR’S FoO MEMBERSHIP. Are you a regular or occasional visitor to Osborne – how well do you know the grounds at Osborne?
NEW for this year we are holding a Treasure Hunt around the grounds of Osborne which we hope will appeal to regular visitors and to those who wish to discover areas and facts that they may not previously be aware of.
Please click here for more information of this event. Friends of Osborne | Treasure Hunt
Hidden Tour of Osborne – Wednesday 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 in the Walled Garden - Friday 10th 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. Five members have already booked this second talk.
Please click here for more information of this tour. Friends of Osborne | Guided Talk of the Terraces and Walled Garden
Windsor Castle Trip – Saturday 19th September
This trip is run by Opal Travel and 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. Step inside the world’s oldest and largest occupied castle, home to 1,000 years of royal history. Walk in the footsteps of 40 monarchs and explore royal treasures at your leisure, as this is a self-led tour. Visitors will need to allow about 1 and a half hours to 2 hours to tour the Castle; leaving an opportunity to wander around the castle precincts and Windsor town, before heading back to Southampton to catch the ferry.
To date we have 20 people who have booked and paid a £10 deposit for the trip to Windsor Castle. The coach is a 53-seater, but we need 40 people to sign up for the trip to go ahead. I am sure we will easily reach this number as £65 represents amazing value and Windsor Castle is a fascinating place to visit. Friends of Osborne members are welcome to invite their family and friends on this trip. If we do not manage to fill the places, we will offer EH staff and volunteers at Osborne the opportunity.
There will be a pick up in East Cowes. but other pickups on the Island, including Sandown and Shanklin, can be arranged subject to numbers. However, this does sometimes involve an earlier start!
The ferry crossing from Cowes is at 09.30, returning on the 19.00 ferry.
We ask for a £10 deposit which is non refundable, with the final balance having to be paid by Friday 24th July.
For more details and booking forms click here. Friends of Osborne | Visit to Windsor Castle