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Cobham Lodge (TQ 1110 5855) was built for Colonel Joseph Hardy in 1803-4 by John Buonarotti Papworth (1775-1847) who is best known for his work in Regency Cheltenham. An extensive search for the original drawings in the large collection of Papworth's work in the Royal Institute of British Architects' Collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum failed to produce any results although it does contain a 'Survey of part of the property of Col. Hardy' in Waterford, Ireland dating from c 1800. Cobham Lodge was one of Papworth's earliest country houses and it was built on land forming the southern part of Cobham Park which then belonged to the Earl of Carhampton who had leased the land to Hardy. It is now the home of Mr Dominic C H Combe. The early history of the site prior to the building of the present house has long been something of a puzzle. However, through recent work on the Cobham Park Estate archives, it is now possible to attempt to piece together the history of the site.