attractions > dorset > Highcliffe Castle Visitor Centre and Tea Rooms
Things to do in Dorset - Highcliffe Castle Visitor Centre and Tea Rooms
This page is about Highcliffe Castle Visitor Centre and Tea Rooms in Highcliffe, Dorset
The castle was built between 1831 and 1835 on a site previously occupied by a Georgian mansion known as High Cliff which was designed for the 3rd Earl of Bute (a founder of Kew Gardens) with grounds laid out by the famous Capability Brown. It is now a Grade 1 listed building owned by Christchurch B.C.
All that remains of High Cliff are the two entrance lodges which are used as a restaurant and some of the garden walls.
In 1828 Sir Charles Stuart became Lord Stuart de Rothesay and began to pursue his dream of buying his grandfathers estate now that he had retired early. He employed an architect named William Donthorne a founder member of RIBA to design his new home - Highcliffe Castle.
It was built almost L shaped, with much carved medieval stonework from derelict French Abbeys made so after the French Revolation. The most famous peices are an oriel window and a complete stained glass window as well as other stained glass dating back as far as the 12th century from France and other European Countries.
The castle has view from the Oriel window through landscaped gardens across Christchurch Bay to the Needles and the IOW. This remarkable building remained in the family until 1950's when much of the land was sold seperatley. The land has since been developed with bungalows almost up to the castle walls. The castle has been a children's home, a noviciate and seminary for the christian missionary fathers and in 1966 was put up for sale once again.
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www.highcliffcastle.co.uk
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