School Visits

Osborne School Visit Itineraries

Take the stress out of planning your school visit to Osborne with our downloadable itineraries. They're packed with with things to see and do, expert-led Discovery Visit sessions to enjoy and handy timings to help you organise a memorable school trip.

A Royal Day Out Itinerary

There's so much to see and do, during a visit to Osborne. Our itinerary is a great starting point for planning your day, so you don't miss out on any of the key attractions. Experience life below-stairs during our hands-on Discovery Visit with the wonderful and formidible Mrs Smith, who was the Queen's housekeeper. Marvel at the house during a free self-led tour and then on to Swiss Cottage where the Royal children learnt and played. Finally take a trip to the beach to enjoy a special afternoon tea.

Download our itinerary and enjoy planning your trip.

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From a Royal Palace to Life in a Castle Itinerary

Make your day one to remember with a visit to Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle. Start your visit below-stairs with Mrs Smith the Housekeeper at Osborne, as you prepare for Queen Victoria's arrival during our hands-on Discovery Visit. Then on to enjoy the splendour of Osborne House during a free self-led tour. Head to Carisbrooke Castle, which is only 20 minutes away and use our free Teacher's Kit, full of fun activities. Finally take part in our 'Water, Wells and Donkeys' Discovery Visit, which will immerse your pupils in the history of the castle.

Download our itinerary and make the most of your visit to both Osborne and Carisbrooke Castle.

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Plan Your Trip

We have a wide range of materials to support your visit and make school trip planning easy. You can find all our site-specific information and tools below, and further information on our what to expect page. 

Download our free resources to help you make the most out of your visit and create unique learning experiences before, during and after your trip. We also offer free planning visits once you have made a booking, plus a 20% discount on the official English Heritage guidebook for your place of choice.

Once you book your visit you’ll be sent a visit permit, which you’ll need to bring with you on the day.

Visit our bookings page to start planning your trip! 

  • Facilities
    • PARKING: Free car park with accessible parking bays, 50m from admissions centre. Coach parking is 250m from the entrance.
    • TOILETS: Toilets are available at points across the site.
    • SWISS COTTAGE: Available when booked with the Victorian Explorer or Story Mat Discovery Visits.
    • HOUSE: Please request a time slot at the time of your booking.
    • ESTATE GROUNDS: The wide acres of the Osborne estate, including the beach, woodland walk and terraces are all open.
    • LUNCH: You are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy in the grounds.
    • SHOP: Shop at the admissions centre selling a range of gifts, souvenirs and books. We require you to bring your students in small groups at a time.
    • EDUCATION ROOM: The education room is currently unavailable.
    • BAG STORE: A room has been set aside where the students can store their bags whilst in the house. Otherwise they will need to carry their bags with them.
    • ACCESSIBILITY: There are 12 disabled parking bays located 50 yards from the admissions entrance. Disabled visitors may be set down directly outside admissions entrance. Queen Victoria's Private Apartments are accessible via a lift to the first floor. The Nursery is not accessible. A minibus is available to take wheelchair users to the Swiss Cottage and Queen Victoria's beach. The ground floor of the Swiss Cottage and Museum is accessible to wheelchair users. Gardens and Grounds are accessible using tarmac and impacted gravel paths. The Walled Garden and Swiss Cottage Garden are heavily gravelled and may be difficult for wheelchair users. The Rhododendron Walk is suitable for robust wheelchairs only. Queen Victoria's Beach paths, cafe, Queen Victoria's Bathing Machine and Alcove are all accessible, however there are two steps up to the beach boardwalk. The beach itself is not accessible to wheelchair users.

    Site Map

    Osborne Site Map

  • Hazard Information

    A useful tool to help with your risk assessments.

    You must meet the following ratios for leaders to students on the day of your visit when booking, and if your group is forming smaller groups while at the site:

    • Ages 4-5 (UK Reception) 1 leader for every 4 students (1:4)
    • Ages 5-7 (UK Key Stage 1) 1 leader for every 6 students (1:6)
    • Ages 7-11 (UK Key Stage 2) 1 leader for every 10 students (1:10) and
    • Ages 11-18 (UK Key Stages 3, 4, and 5) 1 leader for every 15 students (1:15)
    • For an adult learning group, consisting of individuals all over the age of 18, there are no ratios but there must be an appointed group leader
    • All ratios outlined above apply to home education groups
    • If your group consists of children aged 3 and/or 4, you must also refer to the Early Years and Foundation Stage Statutory Framework which sets out specific legal requirements for minimum ratios for this age group, to include requirements about the qualifications of the leaders
    • SEND groups must meet the minimum ratios above but may bring any additional leaders as required to adequately support their group
  • Education Site Opening Times

    We offer free self-led education visits during school term time*. From November until March we open exclusively for education groups at selected sites when booking an expert-led Discovery Visit. See our education opening times below for individual site information.

    *Free education visits are not offered on UK public holidays or during the operation of additional fee paying public events at English Heritage sites.

    • April-October: Monday-Sunday 10-5pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday
    • November-December: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • January-February Half Term: Saturday-Sunday 10-4pm
    • February Half Term-March: Wednesday-Sunday 10-4pm. Discovery Visits available Monday-Friday