Highcliffe Castle has been described as arguably the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Its significance is recognised nationally by its Grade 1 status on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historical Interest.

There is an international importance, too. For a large amount of medieval French masonry, shipped across the Channel, was used in its construction. It is this Norman and Renaissance carved stone, along with the Castle’s Gothic revival features and ancient stained glass, that make it appear older than it is.

Built mainly between 1831 and 1836, the Castle is the realisation of one man’s fantasy. He was Lord Stuart de Rothesay, a distinguished diplomat who had known and loved the cliff-top site overlooking Christchurch Bay since he was a boy.

The magnificent building, once lavishly furnished in the 18th century French style remained a family home until the 1950s. In the late 1960s two fires rendered the building derelict and in 1977, to prevent further deterioration, Christchurch Borough Council purchased it.

Mike The Mooching Minister.

April 21, 2024

Highcliffe Castle has been described as arguably the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, which flourished at the end of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century. Its significance is recognised nationally by its Grade 1 status on the Statutory List of Buildings of Special Architectural and Historical Interest.
The Castle was built between 1831 and 1836 and is the realisation of one man’s fantasy. That man was Lord Stuart de Rothesay. When he built it he was following in the footsteps of his grandfather the 3rd Earl of Bute, who had built an earlier mansion on the site during the 1770s. A keen botanist, Lord Bute created a scaled-down version of Kew. Perched on the edge of the cliff, on heathland with magnificent views out to sea, this house stood for only 38 years before land springs and sea erosion destabilised it.
today the Castle is again a beautiful building – now for all to enjoy. Owned by the Council since 1977 and benefitting from English Heritage funding and two National Lottery grants (in the 1990s and 2010s), the Castle now hosts joyous weddings, stages a variety of productions, and hosts fairs, exhibitions and events throughout the year. It is a valued asset at the heart of the community and a popular tourist attraction. We welcomed BBC’s The Antiques Roadshow in 2012 and made an appearance more recently in Mr Selfridge on ITV.

In the know? Log-in to add a tip for other adventurers!

Details

Informations

Elevation 70 m

Weather

Today

Thursday 4 December

10°C

1°C

-- %

If you start your activity now...

Max wind speed: -- km/h

Most visited during

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

See hikes here

Take Me There

Location: Highcliffe And Walkford, Christchurch, Dorset, South West England, England, United Kingdom

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Turf Hill Heathland, New Forest

Burbush Hill

Wildflowers and Coastal Views at Hengistbury Head

Barton-on-Sea Clifftop View of The Needles

Castleman’s Corkscrew Railway Path

Picnic Spot Among Fallen Trees, New Forest National Park

Holmsley WWII Airfield

Holmsley Passage

Blackwater Arboretum

Hengistbury Head Visitor Centre

View of Christchurch Harbour and The Priory

View of Bournemouth Bay from Warren Hill

Highcliffe Castle

1. Highcliffe Castle – Mudeford Quay loop from Highcliffe-on-Sea

2. Steamer Point Beach Huts – Highcliffe Castle loop from Mudeford

3. Highcliffe Castle – Mudeford Quay loop from Mudeford

Other Popular Places to Check Out

We value your privacy ⛰️

We value your privacy ⛰️