Highcliffe Castle

• Highcliffe Castle is magnificent, Grade I listed house situated on the Dorset cliff-tops that dates back to the 1800's.
• Discover the fascinating and turbulent history of this important surviving house which has been restored from two major fires on its expansive grounds.
• Within the Romantic and Picturesque style walls, kids can enjoy children's trails, exhibition rooms and interpretation panels as well as vast wooded grounds to let loose in.
• During your visit to this stunning Dorset area, you can take a stroll from the castle gardens along the scenic cliff-tops to enjoy breathtaking views out to the Isle of Wight.
• Don't miss the wealth of exciting Highcliffe Castle events that take place throughout the year including craft fairs, workshops, outdoor concerts and even car rallies.

Highcliffe Castle's Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture has become a landmark of Dorset and an impressive staple of the cliff's famous coastline. Built in the 1830's by Charles Stuart in a classic Gothic Revival style, this monumental castle has since survived two fires and is now a wonderful destination for the whole family to enjoy.

Despite its lavish and pristine exterior, Highcliffe Castle has been rebuilt from the ashes after it endured two raging fires on its grounds.

In two consecutive years during the 1960's, fires through the Great Hall devastated the castle, and it was left as a derelict ruin for the next twenty years.

However, after undergoing long periods of genius restoration work funded by the English Heritage organisation, the National Lottery and the Council, this Grade I listed castle was brought back in all its glory.

Now lined with splendid stained glass windows and grand Gothic designs, the reinstated Highcliffe Castle provides a whole three floors of history to uncover from bygone stonework to the most stately rooms.

Known as the 'most important surviving house of the Romantic', Highcliffe Castle will have the whole family in awe as you visit its majestic Great Hall, the glorious views of its Drawing Room, and the 30,000 books preserved in its bountiful libraries.

On a family tour of the castle, you can view original furniture from the 1800's in association with London's V&A Museum, visit the many art and craft exhibitions displaying work from local artists, and step back in time as you discover the preserved Victorian kitchens located within the grounds.

There are also many children's activities on offer at Highcliffe Castle to keep younger kids entertained.

The family activity room includes magnetic puzzles, stained glass window craft projects and wonderful dress-up boxes for little ones to immerse themselves in.

Once they're all done up in their finest Victorian gear, kids can even create their very own menu for Lady Stuart and Stuart de Rothesay using the authentic recipe books waiting to be browsed.

Throughout Highcliffe Castle and its outdoor grounds, kids will love the exciting children's trails laid out by the expert team for little explorers to really make the most of this stately 'house of the Romantic'.

They also offer a range of children's activity packs including nature-themed exercises and the Castle Craft Challenge, where kids are invited to undertake weekly art projects such as designing your own gargoyle or recreating King Edward VII's regal car.

Much of the family fun also lies outside of the castle walls, where a huge 14 acres of land spread out across the Christchurch cliffs.

From charming formal gardens to intriguing woodland walks and the best cliff top views across Dorset's famous beaches, Highcliffe Castle's surrounding grounds will have kids running, exploring and revelling for hours.

For real adventurers, the expansive Highcliffe Beach can also be accessed from the castle along zig zagged, winding paths, which can be taken to by wheelchair and buggy users, or via the full 118 steps running next to the car park if you're up for the challenge!

Once on the sand, you'll be rewarded with views across the water to Hengistbury Head and the picturesque Isle of Wight.

Elsewhere on the castle grounds, fitness fanatics can take part in the regular classes that run throughout the year including yoga, tai chi, HIIT, pilates and circle dance for a stately workout session like no other.

Famous for its outstanding Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture, Highcliffe Castle provides a fabulous family day out.  Full of captivating history, majestic scenery and a little bit of Victorian time travel, this gorgeous location is also the filming site of popular ITV drama Mr Selfridge, and BBC's The Antiques Roadshow. 

For more kid-friendly castle fun in the UK, why not visit the huge lake and enchanting maze of Kent's Hever Castle?

What to know before you go

• The Highcliffe Castle grounds are open all year round from 7am to 7pm. The castle building itself is open Sundays to Thursdays, 10am to 4pm with last entry at 2pm.
• If you are looking for somewhere to eat and drink on-site during your visit, The Castle Kitchen Tearooms offers daily specials, Dorset teas, fairtrade coffee and fresh cakes all made using local produce. It is open every day from 10am to 3pm (hours may be extended on sunny summer days).
• There is a Gift Shop on-site offering cards, jewellery, books, souvenirs, stationery and toys. The Castle Gift Shop is open from 11am to 3pm Sundays to Thursdays.
• The Castle Highcliffe grounds are fully accessible for wheelchair and buggy users with level access into the building via the Gift Shop and lifts throughout the venue, including The Castle Kitchen tea rooms.
• There are toilets and accessible toilets located throughout the venue.
• Highcliffe Castle has a permanent ramp between the main entrance and grounds and the gardens are paved at level-access with gravel.
• There is a wheelchair that can be rented for your visit upon request (subject to availability).
• Complimentary tickets are available for careers and personal assistants for those visiting with a disability.
• Dogs are not permitted within Highcliffe Castle itself unless they are assistance dogs, but they are welcome within the 14 acres of castle grounds if they are kept on a lead.
• Planning an upcoming ceremony? Highcliffe Castle wedding events are highly in demand and provide the perfect venue of dreams in which to tie the knot.
• Elsewhere in Highcliffe (or Highcliffe-on-Sea), families an enjoy the views of Christchurch Harbour, the tree-lined walkway of Avon Beach, the Steamer Point Nature Reserve or the notable Mudeford Quay, where you'll find plenty of seafront restaurant and cafes.

Getting there

• There is a large Castle Car Park on-site with six Blue Badge spaces, but it can get busy. Alternative car parks can be found at Highcliffe Cliff Top car park or Mudeford's Steamer Point car park.
• Highcliffe Castle can be accessed from the Coastal Path on foot or by bicycle, and there are bike racks within the grounds.
• The nearest Railway Station to Highcliffe Castle is Hinton Admiral Train Station, which services routes to London in under two hours. The station is one mile or a 15-20 minute walk to the castle grounds.
• More Bus routes X1 and X2 and the Yellow Bus route one all run from Bournemouth to Highcliffe Castle through Christchurch and Highcliffe, stopping just outside the venue at the Lord Bute Hotel.
• If you are travelling via ferry around Dorset, Highcliffe Castle is a 12-mile drive from the Poole Ferry Terminal.