Osborne house

In 1844, Queen Victoria and Prince Albert rented Osborne House as a holiday refuge. The view reminded Prince Albert of the Bay of Naples. The House is situated on a rise overlooking the Solent, and with this in mind, in 1845, they bought the House and its 1000 acres of land from Lady Blachford. When the estate was purchased, the original house was not big enough for a large family, so Prince Albert designed a new replacement. Building started in June 1845, and finished 15 months later. By 1851, the new Osborne House, based on the Prince's ideas and assisted by Thomas Cubbitt, was a huge project. Prince Albert designed the House, and supervised its construction and landscaping. Built in the style of an Italian villa with Rennaissance design, Osborne House was the much-loved home of Queen Victoria and her family, which also gave them privacy from public life. Prince Albert's design is apparent in the Grand Corridor, which links the Pavilion, main wing and household wing.

The walls and ceiling are highly decorated (the first floor corridors have ornamental decoration), and the Grand Corridor served as a classical Sculpture Gallery, which were very popular in the 18th and 19th centuries. Not only did the Royal couple take pleasure in their statues, but they also doubled the Grand Corridor as a useful 'promenade' for use in bad weather. Apart from the magnificent ceilings, the rooms also contain some impressive character, with imitation marble, even for the legs of the billiard table which was designed by Prince Albert. Although primarily a family home, Osborne House was still a Royal residence, where affairs of the State had to be dealt with. In the Council room, the Queen's Privy Council of Ministers met. The badge of the Garter can still be seen on the ceiling. Prince Albert influenced the Great Exhibition of 1851, with the exhibits at Osborne House. Displayed throughout the house are numerous gifts to the Queen from around the world. The Royal nursery remains untouched, as does the Private Suite of Victoria and Albert, with its wonderful views of the estate and the Solent. One fascinating feature is the Durbar room and corridor. In 1876, Queen Victoria became Empress of India, and Maharajah Duleep Singh and his family became important allies to her. She also had an Indian servant, who later became her personal Indian Secretary.

He taught the Queen Hindustani When it was decided to create a State Banqueting Hall, Rudyard Kipling's father Lockwood designed it with an evident Indian influence. Completed in 1893, the room resembles a Medieval Hall with a Minstrels Gallery, and spectacular coffered ceiling. Every aspect of the Hall was carefully decorated, with the 'peacock' taking over 500 hours to create. With the beauty and elegance of Osborne House, it is not difficult to understand why Queen Victoria was reluctant to leave her island paradise and return to London.

THE GHOSTS OF OSBORNE HOUSE
Osborne house is residence to an array of ghosts and paranormal activity, and is mainly haunted by Royalty. With its accounts of the mystifying sound of music and bagpipes playing, it is believed they are that of the ghost of John Brown, who was a servant to the Queen. The distinct figure of a woman dressed in black has also been reported at an upstairs window of the dwelling. Although it is not known whether this is Queen Victoria, who mourned the death of her beloved Albert until her own death. ?