2 of the Isle of Wight’s most historic buildings are set to benefit from Government funding, with major repairs planned at Osborne House and support confirmed for Newport Guildhall.
The 2 landmarks have been named among a series of heritage sites across London and the South East to receive a share of almost £3million through the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, as part of a wider Government drive to protect and restore historic buildings.
At Osborne House in East Cowes, once the holiday home of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, the funding will enable English Heritage to carry out major repairs to the roof, addressing critical conservation issues at one of the country’s most significant royal residences.
Meanwhile, Newport Guildhall, the Grade II* listed building on the town’s High Street, has also been confirmed as a recipient of funding.
Designed by renowned architect John Nash and completed in 1816, the Guildhall is home to the Museum of Island History and has previously served as a town hall and courthouse.
The historic building was added to Historic England’s Heritage at Risk Register in 2022, having fallen into poor condition. Its condition is currently assessed as ‘very bad’, with its vulnerability rated as ‘high’.
Although the Guildhall has been included in the latest funding announcement, specific details of the works to be supported have not yet been revealed.
The Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, now in its 2nd year, aims to rescue important historic buildings from deterioration, particularly in areas where securing alternative funding can prove difficult.
It forms part of the Government’s wider £1.5billion Arts Everywhere Fund, with the latest round of funding also supporting the restoration of Hastings Castle, Margate Museum and Old Town Hall, and Wymering Manor in Portsmouth.
Heritage Minister Baroness Twycross has said:
“Nothing tells the stories of our nation quite like the historic buildings at the heart of our communities. But too often they are a far cry from their former glory with leaking roofs and crumbling stonework.
“Thanks to this funding, the much loved buildings that fill our hometowns with character will be keeping the doors open to communities for years to come.”
English Heritage’s Director for the South of England, Neil McCollum, has welcomed the investment, highlighting the importance of Osborne to the nation’s history.
He said:
“Both Dover Castle and Osborne are central to our nation’s story. For over nine centuries, Dover Castle – the Key to England – played a vital role in the defence of this country while as home to Queen Victoria, Osborne is one of our most significant historic Royal sites.
“We are very grateful for this vital funding. At Dover, it will allow us to address conservation issues affecting the castle’s fortifications while at Osborne, the funding means we can repair critical issues with the roof.”
Across England, Historic England is overseeing more than £41million of investment in 74 projects through the first rounds of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund and Places of Worship Renewal Fund.
The schemes are intended to safeguard historic buildings for future generations while ensuring they continue to play a valuable role in their local communities.
