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Appuldurcombe Estate, Wroxall
Project type: Desk Based Assessment
An archaeological desk-based assessment and rapid walkover survey of the Appuldurcombe Estate, Wroxall, Isle of Wight, was undertaken by Archaeology South-East in 2003 as the archaeological component of a larger Historic Landscape Survey and Restoration Management Plan, the Mansion house of the estate is owned by English Heritage as a Guardianship Monument. The House was at one time the grandest house on the Isle of Wight , standing in 'Capability' Brown landscaped gardens, which reveal relict features of the earlier landscape.
The Study Area comprised an early 18th-century mansion, Appuldurcombe House, and associated service buildings set within a landscaped park bounded by an 18th-century perimeter wall. A review of the available data, including a rapid walkover survey, was conducted and concluded that the Study Area is of considerable archaeological importance. Evidence survives for several phases of post-medieval landscape design as well as industrial remains relating to chalk and stone quarrying. Earlier features, including possible Bronze Age barrows, survive as earthworks, and potential exists for buried archaeological deposits of medieval date relating to a former priory beneath the present house.
The study area is covered, either in toto or in part, by five separate cultural heritage designations , some of which enjoy a certain degree of legal protection from development :
- Registered Historic Park and Garden (English Heritage) (Grade II – Ref. No. G1001) (entire study area)
- Registered Park and Garden of Historic Interest (Isle of Wight Gardens Trust) (Grade II – Ref. No. 1) (entire study area)
- Scheduled Ancient Monument (SAM 22041) (Appuldurcombe House, Inner Park and Freemantle Gate)
- English Heritage Guardianship Site (Appuldurcombe House and Inner Park )
- Listed Buildings (Appuldurcombe House, Grade I; Freemantle Gate, Grade II*; Ice House, Grade II; Obelisk, Grade II; Lodge, Grade II; Stables, Grade II; four stretches of park wall, Grade II)
The results of this survey were to make recommendations for further works should the opportunity arise, and to incorporate these into the overall understanding and management plan for the estate.
Project Officer: Richard James
Client: ACTA
Project type: Desk Based Assessment
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