We should establish from the outset here that Highcliffe Castle is not
a castle, it is an oldish house, a very fine house but not a castle. Built
between 1830 and 1835 by Sir Charles Stuart who later became Lord Stuart
de Rothesay it has had a very checkered history and in my life was reduced
by fire to a shell. It stood in such a state from a good many years before
the council, English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund restored it
and opened it to the public, one of the few things the Lottery have got
right.
The medieval French masonry and oriel window are notable and the gardens
a fine place to sit and view the Isle of Wight across Christchurch Bay.
Charles Stuart's grandfather had built a house on the lands sometime before
and called it High Cliff for obvious reasons, it sits atop the cliff. The
full history is displayed on an interior wall of the house and is of interest
to all.
That point cleared up, the visitor can drive to the castle by following
the signs from Christchurch to Highcliffe and as you pass the golf course
keep an eye open for the sign to Highcliffe Castle. Parking is available
at a fee with time to stroll the grounds and the house before a cream tea.
Alternatively drive to the Avon Beach or any of the car parks along the
coast and make your way to the beach, as you face the sea you need to go
left, away from the harbour. As you get to the end of the beach huts just
before the last dozen or so there is a path between them up to a large
grass area. With your back to the sea look right and the woodland you see
is the Steamer Point Nature Reserve.
Follow the edge of the cliff top up to the Sailboard hut and behind that
you will find a pathway up hill towards the trees. Keep the buildings to
your left and walk the short stretch of roadway to the little hut on top
the rise, the buildings to your left are the Coastguard training school.
As you enter the woodland and follow the path you will pass the lilly pond
which is hidden away behind the undergrowth and several areas of wood craft
the wardens and their staff create during the year. Probably no more than
a 15 minute stroll along flat gravelled paths leads you into the woodland
around the Castle.
On the way you will find areas where the undergrowth has been cut back
revealing views across the bay to the Isle of Wight and in either direction
along the coast line. Friends who have not visited me on my home turf can
not understand why I love the area so much, take a look if you get the
chance and you will see for yourself just how beautiful this place really
is.
Make your way to the castle and be sure to at least look towards the sea
there is a clearing that has the most attractive view of the bay and the
island along the entire coastline.
The structure that simply does not fit in with the rest of the building
is the cafe area, find a table, there are plenty, take the number before
queueing for refreshments. Serving hot meals such as cottage pie or cauliflower
cheese or any one of 2 dozen or more cakes you will be forgiven for over
indulging. My personal favorite is the cream tea, be warned the normal
tea consists of 2 large scones, jam and cream, if that is too much ask
for a mini cream tea, just one large scone or share a normal portion between
2.
Having eaten whatever you needed either retrace your route through the
woods or make your way towards the sea where at the top of the cliff you
will find a path down to the sea. Wander your way back along the waters
edge or through the sand which ever takes your fancy. The walk will take
no more than an hour return plus whatever time you spend at the castle
and you will not have walked more than a couple of miles.
