Soak up the sun on a royal beach

With its fantastic Solent views, it’s no surprise that Queen Victoria chose Osborne House for her family holidays. Her private beach is just a 20-minute stroll from the house and is where Victoria regularly bathed, and where her children learned to swim. You can see the restored bathing machine she used and even the alcove where she would sit and write letters.

Hire a deckchair, pick up and enjoy the sand, sun and sea from Osborne Beach, or check out one of the traditional Punch and Judy shows that run throughout the summer. And with sea birds, herons and red squirrels around every corner, there's plenty of nature to discover. 

While it's tempting to spend all day at the beach, do make sure to have a wander around Osborne House and gardens for a glimpse into Victoria's regal life.