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 futher deterioration, Christchurch Borough Council purchased it. More information can be found at our Wikipedia page.


Today the Castle’s renovated exterior is testimony of the remarkable skills of craftsmen and women who carried out a huge repair and conservation programme in the 1990s, jointly funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and with a £2.65 million grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. In 2008 a further £1.2 Million programme of repair was completed to enable public access to the State Dining Room, Butler's Pantry and East Tower.
The Castle is now a popular tourist attraction, community space and one of the most popular wedding venues in Dorset and Hampshire.

WEDDINGS

Rising Majestically from its cliff top location overlooking Christchurch Bay and The Isle of Wight, Highcliffe Castle sits on
a magnificent 14 acre parkland surrounded by landscaped gardens with stunning coastal views.A gentle footpath leads down
to a glorious sandy beach, setting a magical backdrop to your special day.

Whether your dream wedding is grand and sumptuous; intimate and relaxed; civil or humanist,
we guarantee outstanding service and memories you’ll treasure for a lifetime.
By celebrating your wedding at Highcliffe Castle you will also be actively supporting the continued conservation and restoration of the Castle, whilst helping us protect one of the most beautiful historic buildings on the South Coast, so that present and future generations can enjoy.

FUNCTIONS

Highcliffe Castle has rooms available to hire for private hire. Please contact the Castle Team on 01425 278807 or e-mail us to discuss your function.

Set in beautiful cliff-top grounds and just two hours away from London, Highcliffe Castle provides the perfect setting for your executive corporate meetings, product launches and events.

With stunning views over the sea and the Isle of Wight’s famous Needles, Highcliffe Castle is set in 14 acres of park & woodland. The Castle offers the service and setting required to astound your clients. Highcliffe Castle has one dedicated conference room and three further rooms available to hire, all as unique as The Castle and offering a diverse range of facilities.

We are conveniently located just a few miles from Bournemouth International Airport and just one mile from Hinton Admiral Train Station with direct links to London Waterloo.