5K Fun Run at Osborne
1 Nov
A 5K fun run, jog or walk around the Osborne estate, following a route that passes through its grounds and scenic areas. The course is described as suitable for runners of all abilities.
Isle of Wight
A picturesque island with rich Victorian heritage, scenic coastlines, historic castles, renowned festivals, and excellent walking and cycling routes.
Members’ Event: Emma Gaggiotti Talk at Osborne
21 Oct
Dr Christopher Warleigh-Lack gives a 45-minute talk about painter Emma Gaggiotti, women artists in the 19th century, and Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s support for female artistic talent.
Members’ Event: Unexpected Osborne
18 Oct, 20 Oct…
An outdoor walking tour of Osborne for members, exploring less familiar features of the estate and sharing surprising stories and hidden details.
Family Fungi Walk
23 Oct
A family-friendly guided walk through Borthwood Copse to look for autumn fungi and learn about mushrooms, woodland wildlife, and related myths and folklore.
Members’ Event: Statues Tour at Osborne
18 Oct, 20 Oct…
An outdoor guided tour of the statues and sculptures at Osborne, exploring who they represent and what they reveal about Queen Victoria, Prince Albert and their family.
2 miles from Osborne
Osborne House is a former royal residence in East Cowes, Isle of Wight, built as a summer home for Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Visitors can explore the grand Italianate architecture, royal apartments, extensive gardens, and enjoy the unique historic setting including a private beach and the Durbar Room with Indian influences. The site offers a mix of indoor and outdoor experiences with historic interiors and landscaped grounds.
Needles Old Battery Tour
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
Join a guided tour of the Needles Old Battery to explore its military history, surviving structures and stories of the people who lived and served there. The tour is led by Jo and Steve from Restore the Story CIC.
Family Fungi Walk
11 Oct, 18 Oct…
A family walk on Mottistone Down to identify autumn fungi and hear facts, myths and folklore about toadstools. The route may involve leaving the main path to get a closer look.
2 miles from Farringford Estate
Farringford Estate is a historic garden on the Isle of Wight with a recreated walled garden reflecting its association with poet Alfred, Lord Tennyson, featuring herbaceous borders, a public glasshouse, and wildlife planting.
Members’ Event: King Edward VII Convalescent Home Tour at Osborne
19 Oct, 23 Oct
A 45-minute tour at Osborne explores its history as the King Edward VII Convalescent Home for Military Officers. Visitors hear about the home’s century-long story and visit areas normally closed to the public.
Festive Fun at Osborne
5–6 Dec
Festive Fun at Osborne is a family-oriented Christmas day out with seasonal activities to enjoy around Osborne.
Winter Birdwatching Walks
17 Oct, 29 Nov…
A guided winter walk through Newtown’s meadows, saltmarsh and creeks, with opportunities to learn about over-wintering birds, identify species and pick up birdwatching techniques.
2 miles from Rosetta Cottage
Rosetta Cottage is a Victorian manor house in Cowes, Isle of Wight, known for its connection to Winston Churchill's parents' marriage proposal. It comprises two holiday cottages managed by the National Trust and is part of the island's Churchill Trail.
Located in Cowes
Cowes is a historic English port town on the Isle of Wight known globally for its maritime heritage, especially yachting and the annual Cowes Week regatta. It offers a walkable town center with diverse shops, eateries, and cultural sights including Cowes Castle and a floating chain ferry connecting to East Cowes.
Needles New Battery Tour
9 Oct, 16 Oct…
A guided tour of the Needles New Battery explores its history as a coastal defence site and later as a Cold War rocket-testing base, including the development of the Black Knight and Black Arrow rockets.
Bat Trail at the Old Battery
17 Oct–1 Nov
Families can follow a Halloween-season trail at The Needles Old Battery with Victorian soldier and naturalist Gunner Bruce, investigating bat sightings through activities including examining bat droppings and exploring a creepy-crawly feast.
Near The Needles
The Needles are distinctive chalk sea stacks off the Isle of Wight, featuring a historic lighthouse, scenic boat tours, and former military sites including batteries and a rocket test site, all accessible to the public and protected within natural and scientific conservation areas.
Halloween half-term at at Carisbrooke Castle
17 Oct–1 Nov
A Halloween half-term event at Carisbrooke Castle featuring family activities including interactive storytelling, spooky games and a themed trail. Visitors can also take part in a daily fancy-dress competition.
Compton Bay Fossil Walks
26–31 Oct, 20 Dec…
Join a guided walk along Compton Bay to discover fossils and learn how the Isle of Wight changed during the Cretaceous period. The walk includes the dinosaur footprints at Hanover Point and an opportunity to look for fossils.
2 miles from North Court
North Court is a Jacobean manor house on the Isle of Wight dating back to 1615 with significant historical architecture and nationally important gardens, offering visitors both indoor exploration and outdoor garden experiences.