Just the shell remains of a lovely, 18th century house built on the estate of Appuldurcombe, previously a site with connections to a Norman priory. Surrounded by a vast expanse of rolling downs on the Isle of Wight, this impressive estate was the family seat of the Worsley family for some 300 years.

Building of the Baroque style Appuldurcombe House commenced in 1701 to replace the large Tudor house inherited by Sir Robert Worsley, but was not completed until 70 years later, by his great nephew, Sir Richard. This fine country house displays many French architectural influences, and was considered a sophisticated project for its time. Unusually, the central section of the house was not emphasised, but instead Appuldurcombe House had prominent pavilions (or wings) projecting at either end of the building. Elaborate mouldings around the door and windows are absolutely typical of the English Baroque style, although the overall appearance is perhaps more Italian, with its great columns and Corinthian capitals.

Every last detail was carefully considered - from the pairs of chimneys above the pavilions creating a triumphant arch, to the contrast of finishing textures used to distinguish between different parts of the design. The Hall was a particularly splendid room, with scagliola (imitation marble) columns topped by Ionic capitals and a frieze, and a fabulous marble floor. There would also have been a grand staircase, a drawing room, and a library to house part of the family art collection. In fact, in his later years, Sir Richard filled Appuldurcombe House with pictures he had collected, turning his home into more of a museum with visitors being allowed to view the collections.

Sir Richard was also responsible for the landscaping of the extensive grounds at Appuldurcombe, and called upon the services of the fashionable Capability Brown to undertake this task. No classical temples, lakes and serpentine streams were included in the plans, but several 'eye-catching' monuments were erected at high points. On the crest of the hill, at the northern edge of the park, the imposing Freemantle Gate survives as a reminder of the glorious days the estate once knew.

From the time of Sir Richard's death in 1805, and for the next 100 years or so, Appuldurcombe House saw many changes of use. The 1st Baron Yarborough(1805-55) made few changes to the house, and was quite happy to retain the property as a convenient base for his sailing activities out of Cowes. About four years later, an unsuccessful business venture commenced to run Appuldurcombe House as an hotel, but with its failure the house was then leased for use as a college for young gentlemen. During the first few years of the 20th century, it accommodated a small group of Benedictine monks, forced to leave their abbey in France, and from then on it remained largely uninhabited, except by troops throughout both World Wars.

The preservation of this beautiful building was uncertain for many years, and was further aggravated by substantial damaged caused as a result of a land mine, which fell close to the house in 1943. Although the original 'stately home' has long since been lost, in 1952 the decision to save Appuldurcombe House from demolition has meant that a long programme of restoration has resulted in the peaceful site seen today.