Isle of Wight Cowes Visitor Attractions

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert bought Osborne and its estate from Lady Isabella Blachford in 1845. In 1848 the old house was demolished and a new three-storey pavilion with flagtower and main and household wings was built. The 19th century estate eventually totalled over 800 hectares and included numerous cottages and lodges for estate workers and members of the household. Prince Albert's planting scheme was partially dictated by the already well-established late 18th century landscape that surrounded Osborne House. Other influences include his liking for poplars found at his family home of the Rosenau, and for the Italian fashion which he had seen at first hand of lining principal drives and walks with evergreens, such as myrtle and laurel. The walled kitchen-garden and adjoining pleasure grounds in front of the house remained as elements from the late 18th century landscape. The upper and lower terraces, with their ornamental parterres interspersed with statues representing the seasons, were constructed under the supervision of Prince Albert and Ludwig Gruner. The Swiss Cottage Garden laid out in 1853, with furnished cottage, was used by the children to grow and sell vegetables as a practical exercise in market gardening. The garden is following a restoration programme with the aim to present the park and garden landscape as close to the period before Queen Victoria's death as possible.

Welcome to Fakenham Farm.

Pay a visit to our farm for a fun and educational day out
You will find us at St Helens on the Isle Of Wight Visit our farm and you will see our intriguing animals. You will see emus, rheas, ducks, geese, Shetland ponies, Ankole cattle, Water buffalo and many more.

Schools and parties catered for Please phone for party rates.

We are open all year round From 10 am until 5 pm

Set in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty overlooking The Needles Rocks and Lighthouse, there's breathtaking scenery, a spectacular chairlift past amazing coloured sand cliffs, rides for the children, shops to browse through and places to eat in (or out) - there are boat trips too around the Island's famous landmark. Make your own unique souvenir in the famous Sand Shop, watch the making and taste traditional sweets in the Sweet Manufactory and be amazed by the skills of the Alum Bay glassmakers.

Visitors arriving in Cowes should not leave without making a visit to the Sir Max Aitken Museum in the famous pink building, The Prospect on Cowes High Street.
This magnificent 18th Century, Ratsey and Lapthorn sail maker’s loft, was acquired and restored by Sir Max Aitken in 1947. Today, with its traditional splendour, the building boasts Sir Max’s personal collection of historic and nautical artefacts.
John William Maxwell Aitken was born in Canada in 1910, he was the eldest son of Lord Beaverbrook, the owner of the Daily Express newspaper group. Sir Max was educated at Pembrooke college, Cambridge, where he joined the Auxiliary Air Force, which consisted of sparetime flyers who gave up their weekends and holidays to learn the art of flying different aircraft.
In 1939, Sir Max was flying with the famous 601 County of London Squadron, he fought in the Battle of Britain and was among the lucky few pilots who survived the war. His first mission was over Germany in 1939 and his last was as group Captain of the Banff Strike Wing, flying over Norway, in 1945. He was credited as having 16 victories, 9 probables and having damaged 15 enemy aircraft.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service order and the Distinguished Flying Cross and he was Knighted in the 1940s.

Set in Over 40 acres of spectacular cliff-top gardens - you will find a magical mix of fantasy, legend and heritage!
So much to see and do!
Rumpus Mansion, Wild West Town
Dinosaurland, Nurseryland, Maze,
Sleeping Beauty's Castle, Gardens,
Smugglers Ship, Pirate Adventure Fort,
Animated Indoor Shows, Water Force,
Bodger the Badger's Fairground,
Snakes and Ladders Fun Slides