Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade I listed historic house in Dorset, and a member of Historic Houses. Read about its history, architecture and gardens, plus how to visit and what's nearby.

About Highcliffe Castle

Highcliffe Castle was built between 1831 and 1835 for Charles Stuart, 1st Baron Stuart de Rothesay on the cliffs at Highcliffe in Dorset.

This Grade I listed Gothic Revival house is distinctive for the carved medieval stonework worked into its walls, much of it salvaged from ruined abbeys in Normandy.

Christchurch, Dorset Council now looks after the castle, which operates as a visitor attraction and event venue with rooms open for exhibitions and weddings.

History of Highcliffe Castle

The castle stands near the site of High Cliff House, an earlier Georgian mansion built for the 3rd Earl of Bute, a founder of Kew Gardens. The grounds of the earlier house were laid out by Capability Brown. William Donthorne, architect and founding member of the Royal Institute of British Architects, designed Highcliffe Castle and incorporated carved stonework rescued from the ruined Benedictine abbey of St Peter at Jumièges and from the Grand' Maison des Andelys, both in Normandy.

Architecture of Highcliffe Castle

Designed in Romantic, Picturesque Gothic Revival style by William Donthorne, the house sets genuine medieval French masonry into its walls and window surrounds rather than merely imitating it.

Worth knowing

The site's earlier Georgian house was built for the 3rd Earl of Bute, a founder of Kew Gardens. The castle's dramatic coastal setting has made it a popular location for filming and photography.

Gardens & grounds at Highcliffe Castle

The grounds overlook Christchurch Bay and retain traces of the landscaping originally laid out for the earlier Georgian house by Capability Brown.

Facilities

Parking Café Toilets Cycle parking

Plan your visit to Highcliffe Castle

Official site Google Maps Waze

Nearest station: Hinton Admiral Rail Station (1 miles)

Open Sunday to Thursday; check official website for current hours and seasonal variations.

Admission

Free entry to Historic Houses members (show valid membership card)

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Places to visit near Highcliffe Castle

Christchurch Castle

castle 2.7 miles

View Christchurch Castle on heritage map

Hurst Castle

historic building 7.5 miles

View Hurst Castle on heritage map

The Needles

historic building 7.5 miles

View The Needles on heritage map

The Needles Batteries

historic building 7.7 miles

View The Needles Batteries on heritage map

Farringford

historic house 9.4 miles

Visit Farringford View Farringford on heritage map

Historic places nearby

Within 5 miles of Highcliffe Castle there are 1 historic properties, including 1 castle.

1 English Heritage

1 Castle

See these 1 sites on the heritage map

Within 10 miles of Highcliffe Castle there are 6 historic properties, including 3 historic buildings and 2 castles, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.

3 English Heritage

2 National Trust

1 Historic Houses

3 Historic building

2 Castle

1 Historic house

See these 6 sites on the heritage map

Within 20 miles of Highcliffe Castle there are 28 historic properties, including 11 historic buildings, 6 historic houses and 4 castles, across English Heritage, National Trust and Historic Houses sites.

12 English Heritage

9 National Trust

6 Historic Houses

1 Churches Conservation Trust

11 Historic building

6 Historic house

4 Castle

3 Archaeological site

1 Manor house

1 Church

1 Museum

1 House