To provide you with the best experience, cookies are used on this site. Find out more here.
Accommodation in Dorset
Things To Do in Dorset
What’s On in Dorset
Explore & Discover Dorset
Welcome to the Itinerary Planner. Use this tool to build your own journey or choose from an exciting range of specially selected tours.
To build your own Itinerary, click to add an item to your Itinerary basket.
You are here: Things To Do > Highcliffe Castle
Highcliffe Castle is not only a beautiful and historical building, but the surrounding grounds are perfect for a relaxing stroll or a family picnic on the lawns. There is direct access to both a wonderful sandy beach and the unspoilt nature reserve of nearby Steamer Point.
The Castle has been described as arguably the most important surviving house of the Romantic and Picturesque style of architecture. It is a grade 1 listed building built mainly between 1831 and 1836 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay.
The magnificent building, once lavishly furnished in the 18th century French style, remained a family home until the 1950’s. Whilst two fires destroyed the rich interiors in the 1960’s, the Castle’s renovated exterior is testimony to the remarkable skills of craftsmen and women who carried out a huge repair and conservation programme in the 1990’s.
The team of knowledgeable room hosts will bring to life the detailed history of the building and its residents, amongst whom was Harry Gordon Selfridge, who founded the London based department store Selfridges. Mr Selfridge lived in the Castle between 1916 and 1922, and is buried with his wife and mother at St Mark’s churchyard just across the road from the Castle.
Upgrade your admission ticket for just £3 and you will be able to join a tour with one of our knowledgeable volunteer guides. The tour takes you behind the scenes in areas of the Castle you will not get to see on the public route, including unrestored parts of the Castle, as well as the heritage rooms. Tours last approximately one hour.
If you have children with you, there are indoor and outdoor trails to follow, you can play dress-up in period costumes and take part in craft activities during school holidays.
You will find the The Castle Kitchen Tearooms within the grounds, which provides hot and cold drinks along with delicious snacks and homemade cakes. In summer you can sit outside and admire the castle and grounds while enjoying your meal.
Events are held throughout the year, including family-friendly shows, live music, classic car shows and more.
Located just 10 miles from Bournemouth and 3 miles from Christchurch, there is easy access by car, public transport, on foot or by bike.
2019 Opening (5 April 2019 - 23 December 2019) | ||
---|---|---|
Day | Times | |
Monday - Sunday | 10:00 | - 17:00 |
Bank Holiday | 10:00 | - 17:00 |
* Last admission to the Castle is one hour before closing time.
Occasionally, the Castle may be closed early or all day due to a function. Please refer to our website for more information.
The Castle grounds are open daily at 7am and close at: 6.30pm – November to March, 7.30pm – April and October, 9pm – May and September and 10pm – June, July and August. Entry to the grounds is free, parking charges apply.
Ticket Type | Ticket Tariff |
---|---|
2 Adults and two children | £15.00 per ticket |
5 - 16 years old | £3.00 per ticket |
Adult admission charge | £7.00 per ticket |
Seniors | £6.50 per ticket |
Students | £6.50 per ticket |
Under 5s | Free |
Entry to the grounds only is free.
Accompanied children under 5 are free.
Behind the Scenes Tours take place daily* at 12pm. These take in some of the unseen areas such as the wine cellar. This is an add on option at £3 for adults or £1 for children on top of the admission price.
Please be aware that car parking charges apply in addition to admission.
*Tours do not take place on Saturdays due to weddings
Road From A35 follow signs to Highcliffe.
Bus: Wilts & Dorset and Yellow Buses operate services to and from Highcliffe town centre.
Rail: 15 minutess walk from Hinton Admiral Railway Station.
Air: 20 minutes drive from Bournemouth Airport.
Journey planning: Contact Traveline on 0871 200 2233 or visit their website: www.travelinesw.com to look up bus timetables. From 1st January 2019, calls cost 12p per minute plus your phone company's access charge.
Highcliffe Castle Beach, ChristchurchA beautiful, rural, shingle and sand beach set against tree-lined cliffs.
At Dorset’s number 1 family theme park, over 30 family rides and attractions means…
The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum houses important collections of paintings,…
TheGallery at the Arts University Bournemouth is a major resource for contemporary art…
To inject a sense of fun into your family days out then head to Moors Valley Country Park…
Splashdown is the South's Ultimate Waterpark. In winter there is a choice of 8 fantastic…
The South Coast’s leading entertainment centre with Cinema, Bowling, Children's Soft Play…
A beautiful island with wonderful views, history & wildlife including rare red squirrels…
A sightseeing pass that will gain you free entry into various attractions across Dorset…
A glorious slice of natural coastline in Purbeck featuring a four-mile stretch of golden,…
For hundreds of years the Minster has been a centre for pilgrimage, prayer and worship.…
Opened in 1951, our attraction is a magnet for visitors of all ages to step back and…
Having survived the threat of demolition in 1979 for a rapidly abandoned road scheme, the…
A visit to this multi award winning park is guaranteed to keep all members of your family…
Restored Victorian Pier, stroll, visit the exhibition, café or shop. Boat trips, fishing…
Swanage Beach huts are let daily, weekly or longer term. Hire a beach hut, and your…
Copyright 2019 Visit Dorset. All Rights Reserved.