The house stands on the site of a 12th-century Benedictine priory.
It is considered the grandest 18th-century house on the Isle of Wight.
The building was used as a school for French Benedictine monks in the 18th century.
During World War II, the property was used by the military for radar development.
The house was intentionally left as an 'architectural ruin' rather than being restored after 1943.
Appuldurcombe House is the shell of an 18th-century Baroque country house located in Wroxall on the Isle of Wight. Originally designed by John James for Sir Robert Worsley, the house was never fully completed. The interior was largely destroyed by a German parachute mine in 1943 during the Second World War. Today, the site is managed by English Heritage as a stabilized ruin. It remains a rare example of English Baroque architecture that allows visitors to see the structural skeleton of the building. The surrounding grounds were landscaped by Capability Brown in the late 1700s. The site remains a roofless, dramatic ruin accessible to the public.
From the center of the main courtyard looking up through the empty window frames towards the sky.
Wear sturdy footwear as the ground inside the ruins can be uneven.
Check local English Heritage listings for seasonal events, as the grounds are sometimes used for outdoor theatre.
Bring a picnic, as the surrounding parkland offers ample space for visitors.
Do not expect a furnished manor house tour, as the interior is an empty, roofless ruin.
Open seasonally; typically closed during winter months.
Respect the site by staying within marked visitor boundaries, as it is a fragile structure.
