Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2007/January 2008 | Page 6
FOREWORD
Osborne celebrates
Christmas
Saturday 10 November Sunday 6 January
10am-4pm Wednesday-Sunday
(last tour at 2.30pm)
Back by popular
demand, Osborne
House will be
offering pre-booked
guided tours with a
gastronomic festive
theme in the weeks
before Christmas.
Queen Victoria’s dining table
will be resplendent with
Victorian dessert delicacies
– from wobbling jellies
and elaborate architectural
cakes to intricate miniature
confections - as the stunning
centrepiece of a feast of festive
decorations bedecking the
house. Created for English
Heritage by food historian,
author and broadcaster Ivan
Day, the table will be set for
dessert as Queen Victoria,
6
Prince Albert and members
of 19th century aristocracy
would have recognised it.
Christmas trees dressed in
the style favoured by Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert,
garlands of dried herbs, ferns
and arrangements of old
fashioned roses and violets
in rooms and corridors will
add to the festive atmosphere.
Those on guided tours will
also have the opportunity
to meet a member of Queen
Victoria’s ‘below stairs’
staff and hear about their
daily life. Real gifts given
to Queen Victoria by her
family will be on display and
knowledgeable guides will
provide a vivid insight into
festive life at Osborne House.
Early booking is
recommended.
Prices: Adults £9.80,
concessions £7.40, children
£4.90 and £24.50 for a family
ticket. EH members free.
Island Life - www.isleofwight.net