Osborne House and a Great Beach

Osborne House by Geoff W Sutton 2017

Osborne House is a beautiful mansion on the Isle of Wight, UK. If you have several hours, and enjoy Victorian art and furniture, English history, gardens, beaches, a pleasant picnic site,and childrens' play areas, you will probably enjoy the visit as I did.

There really is a lot to see and do at Osborne House, built 1845-1851 by Prince Albert and Queen Victoria as a retreat for them and their family.

You could spend a day here. The walk through the house is organised to move you through the available rooms. Staff offer insights into the contents of several rooms.

There's also an onsite guide at the Swiss Cottage, which includes children's activities.

Swiss Cottage for the children at Osborne House/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

I spent an afternoon and saw most of the estate but I had no children with me who might like the play areas.

Osbonre House Children's Play Areas

And there's a beautiful beach with places for a picnic.

Osborne House Beach Scene/ Geoff W Sutton 2017

There's also walking trails and well-kept gardens-- opportunities for exercise, birding, and relaxing.

I used public transportation from Ryde, which worked well for my needs.

There are large parking areas with many open spaces when I visited in April 2017.

Information about fees can be found on the website. It is an English Heritage site so there is no charge for members.

Location: York Avenue, East Cowes, Isle of Wight  PO32 6JX

See the Osborne House website for more details.

Carisbrooke Castle A Good Half-Day

Carisbrooke Castle, Geoff W Sutton 2017

Carisbrooke Castle, like many UK castles, has a long history and was rebuilt more than once. The history includes a place where Charles I was a prisoner. Other Royals were here as well. Much of the history can be learnt at the Museum, a separate entity on the castle grounds.

King Charles I Bedroom at Carisbrooke Castle

Hornbook- Child Reader 400+ years old

There's also a chapel honouring veterans and King Charles I.

And you will find demonstrations of a donkey powered treadmill used to raise water from a well. See the video for a brief clip of the donkey at work. A few donkeys are onsite.

The walls are in good enough condition to walk around the castle, including the Norman keep.

My video from the castle walls.

An extended video shot in 4K 

There are toilets, refreshments, and picnic facilities.

There is a fee for admission. Admission is free to English Heritage members.

See the website for details including other events.

I used public transportation- a bus stops nearby.

Yarmouth Castle, Isle of Wight

Canon atop Yarmouth Castle, Geoff W. Sutton, 2017

Yarmouth castle is small compared to many others in the UK but if you are in the area, I think it is worth a short visit. There was no charge when I visited in 2017.

Storyboards provide information about the history of the castle and the contents of the rooms.

There are a few rooms where castle life is illustrated with furniture, foods, tools, and so forth.

There is a great view of the waterfront on top of the castle. And there are picnic tables there as well.

There are no toilets onsite but there are facilities nearby in the Ferry Terminal. The ferries are visible from the top of the castle.