 John Summerson described Papworth as "one of the most versatile architects and decorative artists of the period".He contributed designs to Ackermann's "Repository of the Arts" for almost 20 years, and published some of his designs for houses as "Designs for Rural Residences" in 1818.In London he designed shop fronts (one, for a tea merchant in Ludgate Hill, was in a "Chinese" style) and warehouses, and built or remodelled many villas for middle-class clients in the countryside.