Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle Description

Highcliffe Castle was built between 1831 and 1835 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay; it has been described as "the most important remaining example of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture" and is a Grade I listed building, now owned by Christchurch Borough Council. The Castle was built on the site previously occupied by High Cliff, a Georgian mansion designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute (a founder of Kew Gardens), with grounds laid out by Capability Brown.

The Earl's fourth son, General Sir Charles Stuart who sold the estate apart from Bure Homage, a small house on its outskirts, inherited High Cliff. All that remains of High Cliff today are the two entrance lodges, presently being used as a restaurant and some of the garden walls and features on the present estate. The son of Sir Charles Stuart, also Charles Stuart, resolved that one day he would repurchase his grandfather's estate and build his own home there. In 1828 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay.

Early retirement meant Lord Stuart could pursue his dream and by 1830 he had bought back much of the eastern end of the estate. He employed architect William Donthorne, a founder member of RIBA, to design his new home, Highcliffe Castle.

The Castle was built almost "L" shaped and positioned on a south-east axis with the oriel window placed centrally on the south-east elevation. This was to incorporate a vista through landscaped gardens across Christchurch Bay to the Needles and the Isle of Wight. The end result was a remarkable and unique building in the Romantic Picturesque style, which remained in the family until 1950 when much of the estate was sold separately from the castle. The land has since been developed almost up to the castle walls, with bungalows. Since then the future of the Castle has not been so assured.

At the beginning of the 50s the Castle was a children's home, before being sold in 1953 to the Claretian Missionary fathers as firstly a noviciate, then for use as a seminary. However, rising costs and a restructuring of the scholasticate (body of students studying for priesthood) saw the Claretians moving in 1966 to be attached to Heythrop College. This led to the Castle being put up for sale once more, but finally the council secured its future in 1977, though there is still massive task of restoration that needs to be completed.

Weddings:

Highcliffe Castle is unlike other Civil Ceremony venues as they specialise in the civil wedding ceremony only, hold up to 3 ceremonies per day (1 only on Sundays/Bank Holidays) and do not insist couples hold a reception. The marriage ceremony can be held in the Wintergarden or Drawing Room. The facility fee is for use of the Wintergarden, Drawing Room and grounds for up to one and half-hours. Within the fee they provide flowers in the room, use of the Castle piano and use of a reserved parking area.

Weddings are generally conducted at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm and may be held any day of the week. The 11am and 1pm slots are designed for couples wishing to hold their reception elsewhere and the 3.30pm slot allows couples the opportunity (if they wish) after their ceremony for further celebrations at the castle, although there is no requirement to do so. With any ceremony, the Castle are able to serve champagne or bucks fizz whilst photography is taking place. Prices are available from the Castle.

The Castle is available for weddings all year (closed Xmas/New Year period) although in winter months please bear in mind that not all rooms in the Castle have central heating and outdoor lighting is llimited.

There is now disabled access to the Castle via the gift shop and all rooms on the ground floor have level access.

Opening Times - 2011

Castle:

• 1st February - 23rd December: daily, 11 am - 5 pm (last admission 4.30 pm, 4 pm on Friday and Saturday)

Grounds:

• All year, daily from 7 am
• Access for coaches
• Tearooms closed Christmas Day.

Admission Prices - 2011

• Adult - £2.95
• Child (under 16) - Free when accompanied
• Group (10+) rates available

Grounds:

• Free (Parking Charges apply).