Comments on: Cook’s Castle and the Obelisk, Appuldurcombe, Isle of Wight

By: Editor

Editor — Wed, 24 Dec 2025 08:36:45 +0000

Hello Chris. Interesting idea. Do get in touch if you find any further evidence. Merry Christmas

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 23 Dec 2025 22:33:53 +0000

In reply to Editor. I have gone back through all my correspondence, and title deeds are cited that I have not traced. I think it's possible that the Cook family fortified a farmhouse that eventually had towers added in the 16th century as a fleet lookout during the French threat. It's possible that Sir Richard used that building as a basis of his folly.

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:44:52 +0000

In reply to Chris Gardner. Good morning Chris and I’m delighted to have introduced you to new images. I didn’t find anything about the castle’s existence before Sir Richard’s time, but I did see mentions of the tea rooms. Such a sad loss.

By: Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:39:44 +0000

I’m a former Appuldurcombe schoolboy guide and custodian.
This is an excellent and well researched piece, and includes some imagery I have not seen in 40 plus years of research.
The interesting thing about Cook’s Castle, is local folklore that it was actually built by a member of the Cook family as a look out over Sandham (now Sandown) Bay during the troubles with France. Sir Richard is thought to have made the most of the ruin of the castle.
I have been seeking documentary evidence of this.
In the late 1800s a cottage inside the walls served as a tea room – In the 1980s I met people who had had tea and cake there in their youth.

By: Chris Gardner

Chris Gardner — Mon, 15 Dec 2025 08:32:25 +0000

In reply to Simon Scott. Yes, they are related

By: Editor

Editor — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:53:52 +0000

In reply to Simon Scott. Hello Simon. I’ve not found a way to add an image to the comments section, so please email it to me. Look forward to seeing it. Thanks

By: Simon Scott

Simon Scott — Mon, 31 Mar 2025 19:43:35 +0000

In reply to Editor. I have just looked out a Worsley family tree from the Hovingham visitor guide. Is there a way to post an image in my reply? If not, I can email it to you direct... Please let me know.

By: Editor

Editor — Sun, 30 Mar 2025 09:26:58 +0000

In reply to TOM GARDNER. Good morning Tom. I think that Mar a Lago would qualify as folly just for the vast expense and scale of the structure. I did enjoy reading the New York Social Diary entry about your time there. Great memories.

By: TOM GARDNER

TOM GARDNER — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 22:36:56 +0000

TOM (NYC)
ALAS, WE – ‘ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE POND’ – ARE SOOOO YOUNG, IN COMPARISON TO YOU, ERGO – WE CANNOT GO BACK THOSE MULTI 100’S OF YEARS TO FIND ‘FOLLIES’ OF NOTE.
HOWEVER, IF THE WORLD EXISTS ANOTHER 100 YEARS OR SO, AND OUR OWN (USA) ‘LANDED WEALTH’S’ ATTEMPTS -STILL STAND … ‘MAR-A-LAGO’ COULD BE IN THE RUNNING. (BUILDER AND FIRST RESIDENT … MMP).
MYSELF NOW BEING SHY OF ’80’, IN MY 20’S (c. 1967) I WAS: 4TH FOOTMAN – AKA JR. BUTLER FOR THE ABOVE: MRS. MAJORIE MERRIWEATHER POST.
THERE WERE 45 (FORTY-FIVE) IN STAFF.
IN MY OPINION, ‘MAR-A-LAGO’ SURELY WOULD QUALIFY TO BE A CANDIDATE FOR THE INCLUSION AS A ‘FOLLY’ … HAVING OUTLIVED ITS CURRENT STATUS.
SHORTLY, NOT EVEN THE RICH CAN OR WISH TO LIVE IN SUCH ‘STRUCTURES’.
FOR FUN – MY BIO IS TITLED: THE BUTLER WORE GUCCIS (AMAZON)
*** FOR VISUAL – GOOGLE: NEW YORK SOCIAL DIARY (THEN) MAR A LAGO
CHEERS!
TOM

By: Editor

Editor — Sat, 29 Mar 2025 17:10:01 +0000

In reply to Simon Scott. Good afternoon Simon. The honest answer is that I don't know. They may be distantly related but I don't think there's a close link. The Appuldurcombe Worsley baronetcy passed to a distant cousin on Sir Richard's death, and the estate went to his niece who was married to Charles Anderson Pelham who became 1st earl of Yarborough, so the surviving treasures from Sir Richard's collection went to his seat at Brocklesby in Lincolnshire. Sorry I don't know more.