  | | HighcliffeHighcliffe-on-Sea is the home of the fabulous Highcliffe Castle built in the early 19th Century by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. The ‘Castle’ is actually a former stately home. It fell into disrepair and was purchased by Christchurch Council to give access to the beach for locals. A local campaign group lobbied for its restoration and in the early 1990s a Heritage Lottery grant was secured which set off a repair programme. It is now an extremely popular venue for residents and visitors alike with a wide variety of exhibitions and concerts and is the most popular venue for weddings in the area.
Below the castle there are clean, sandy beaches with cafes and a promenade along which colourful beach huts line. Follow the coastal path along the new Cliffhanger Cafe to take tea or dine in the evening. This was built after much deliberating by locals and the local Council and has spectacular views over Christchurch Bay including The Needles off the Isle of Wight.
The main Lymington Road, running through Highcliffe, is home to numerous shops, cafes, stores and other local businesses. Highcliffe is also the location for one of Christchurch’s three secondary schools. Other facilities are a clinic and day centre and there local buses which run to Christchurch and to Lymington. The traders hold a popular annual Christmas Parade with colourful floats and characters. | |
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