Historical signs, which once warned visitors to the Isle of Wight's Osborne House and Carisbrooke Castle what not to do, are making a comeback — with a quirky reinvention.

English Heritage has given the Ministry of Works signs a 'playful update' and is reintroducing them across its managed-sites.

The idea, the charity says, is to get visitors off their phones and connecting with history, by exploring the sites using the five senses.

That could include following in the footsteps of Queen Victoria by going for a paddle at Osborne Beach, or walk in Princess Beatrice’s footsteps through the shade of the fig tunnel at Carisbrooke Castle.


How to embrace your senses and connect with history at English Heritage sites

For further details on ‘50 Best Ways to Explore with your Senses’, click HERE.


"In today’s world, where we’re constantly overstimulated and expected to be at the end of a phone 24/7, it can be difficult to stop and connect with our environment", Louise Crawley, landscape advisor and historian at English Heritage, said.

“In the past, much pleasure would have been derived from simple sensations such as smell, touch and sound.

"We hope that our visitors will be inspired to take the time to focus on the sensations around them and, in doing so, form a deeper understanding of the lives of those who went before.”

The initiative will run until the end of July.