THE LODGE

A SECLUDED AND PRIVATE COUNTRY RETREAT

Span Lodge, built in 1801 and located on the Stenbury Downs, was the Southern gate house to Appledurcome House owned by Sir Richard Worsley, 7th Baronet druring the 1700-1800s. It is a private country house surrounded by farmland, apple orchards and woodland. Located on the southern side of the Isle of Wight, it benefits from its own warm microclimate, famous hiking trails and close proximity to Ventnor and its beaches.

THE HISTORY

Sir Richard Worsley was the subject of one of the greatest scandals of his day. He married the wealthy heiress, Seymour Dorothy Fleming and built the lodge as a gift, carving the two family crests in stone above the front door. But the marriage was not a success and Lady Worsley was rumoured to have had 27 lovers, one of them her husband's close friend George Bisset. Lord Worsley brought a criminal case against Bisset, but, scandalised by the revelations, the court awarded him only one shilling in damages, destroying his reputation.

The affair is the subject of the book, The Scandalous Lady W. by Halle Rubenhold, which was turned into a BBC TV film starring Natalie Dormer. There is a copy next to the bed!

The House was later lived in by Charles Anderson-Pelham, 1st Earl of Yarborough, later Lord Yarborough, who founded the world famous Cowes Yacht Club.

THE INTERIOR

A beautifully rich interior with all the modern luxuries including heated stone floors.

A RETREAT TO ENTERTAIN

Enjoy garden parties and BBQs on the patio, on the lawn or in the wild flower meadow. There is a extra large fire pit for evening drinks. The large open kitchen diner seats 8 and is perfect for entertaining while cooking before you retire to the drawing room for a cosy fire.

The oak framed conservatory opens onto the formal garden with views across the apple orchards and hills beyond. This sun trap is a great place for breakfast and a coffee

THE GROUNDS

Situated in the grounds of the old Appledurcome estate designed by the famous landscape designer Capability Brown in the late 1700s, the Lodge is surrounded by fields, apple orchards, farm barns and our own woodland.

The Isle of Wight is well knows for its hiking trails and there are numerous trails that go past Span Lodge, such as the Stenbury trail and the Worsley Trail. More walks can be found here.