Queen Victoria's first drawing lesson took place when she was eight years old. She continued to paint and sketch throughout her life, often while travelling. She particularly enjoyed capturing views around her favourite residences across the British Isles. In March 1860 she wrote to her eldest daughter Victoria, Princess Royal (1840–1901), 'I have been drawing a great deal at Osborne – every day nearly for an hour, quite a treat'.

This album contains 150 drawings by the Queen, including landscapes near Osborne, Windsor Castle and Balmoral Castle. It also contains drawings documenting the visits Queen Victoria made to Switzerland in 1868 and to Baden-Baden in 1872.