Landing House

Landing House is a building associated with Osborne House, constructed between 1855 and 1856 by John Blandford, who was the Clerk of Works for the Osborne estate. The structure is made of coursed stone, featuring dressed stone quoins and coping, and has a low-pitched Roman tile pyramidal roof with deep modillioned eaves.

The building has a central entrance leading to the basement, which likely served as a boathouse, and a wide imperial staircase that ascends to the main entrance on the principal floor. This floor consists of two rooms and a central stair hall, with an additional staircase leading to a rear entrance at the top of the tower. A roof terrace is situated on top of the main block, accompanied by flanking quadrant walls and lower terraces.

In terms of architectural style, Landing House exhibits Italianate/Tuscan influences. The exterior features one storey above a basement and a two-storey tower. The symmetrical northeast front includes a large central round arch to the basement, flanked by small square windows with iron bars. The wide imperial staircase leads to a central doorway above, which is sheltered by a small canopy supported by brackets. This doorway has a panelled door with round-headed glazed top panels, with two small square windows on either side. Above this is the central tower, which has a window at the front and an oculus above, with additional windows on each side. The tower is topped with a low-pitched pyramidal roof that also has deep modillioned eaves and a doorway at the rear. A semi-circular pierced balustrade with square stone piers, some of which are missing, and timber beams forms a pergola.

Inside, the entrance to the basement rooms is arched, and the joinery includes panelled doors. However, the staircase was replaced in the 20th century.

Historically, there was a large pier in front of the Landing House from which visitors to Osborne would embark. The building also served as a coast guard station and a reception room.