Visitors to Osborne House are not able to access the upper floor of the Swiss Cottage due to a water leak, with the nearby play area also closed.
The Swiss Cottage was due to be closed from 6th November anyway, but the upper floor had to be closed prematurely last month due to water coming through the wooden roof. However, the ground floor, which contains the popular museum, is still open as normal until 6th November.
The upper floor contains the parlour, dining room and dressing room and workers at the historic site had to intervene by removing items from upstairs which were at risk of damage from the water ingress.
The cottage, which was built by Prince Albert between 1853 and 1854, was where Queen Victoria’s 9 children played while staying at Osborne House. It has a fascinating history and a new room – the dairy – was recently discovered there after researchers found that a doorway had been blocked and plastered over.
Conservation work will now take place to ensure the Swiss Cottage is preserved for future generations.
David Bailey, Head of Historic Properties at Osborne House, said:
“Last month our conservation team took the preventative measure of removing some of our collection from the upstairs of Swiss Cottage to protect it from a water leak in its historic wooden roof. The upper floor is now closed to enable conservation work to take place, but visitors can still enjoy the ground floor and museum at Swiss Cottage.”
Unfortunately, the nearby play area is also currently closed but there is an alternative 1 near the visitor car park.
David Bailey said:
“Our play area by Swiss Cottage is closed for the foreseeable future. However, children can still have fun in the play area by the visitor car park or explore our beautiful grounds with our Family Tree Trail. Maps for the trail are available at admissions and the Beach Café.”
