Highcliffe Castle beach, East Dorset

Description:

Highcliffe Castle Beach is located between Christchurch and Highcliffe, signposted from the A337 Lyminton Road. Limited parking is available in the pay and display woodland car park and over spill parking is available at the nearby Highcliffe cliff top. (Warncliff/Waterford Road).

The beach consists of sand and shingle, and stands in a rural setting, with safe clean bathing and superb views of the Isle of Wight.

Public transport is good with the Wilts and Dorset bus services between Bournemouth and Lymington stopping adjacent to Highcliffe Castle and running half hourly. The bus numbers are 121 and 124 serving Mudeford, Friars Cliff and Highcliffe.

This part of the coastline is constantly under threat of erosion from the sea. The shingle beach is partly protected by numerous groynes spaced at regular intervals along the coast.
 
On a good day the white chalk cliffs of the Needles are clearly visible, brightly lit by the afternoon sun. The beach is reached via steps that run down the wooded cliff from the castle grounds and there is also a slope for wheelchair access.

There are limited facilities and the nearest toilets and refreshments are in the castle grounds at the top of the cliff.
The town of Highcliffe is a short level walk and has a good mix of individual shops and restaurants for every pallet.

Dogs are allowed on the beach all year round.

Places to visit on a rainy day are:-

Highcliffe  Castle a  restored Victorian mansion with a visitor centre, gift shop, tea-rooms and facilities for exhibitions and events.

In 1966, due to the Grade I listed status, applications from developers, the new owners, to demolish Highcliffe Castle were rejected. This was shortly followed by two fires at the empty structure which gutted the building.The council compulsory purchased the castle in 1977.

During the 1990s much of the exterior fabric was restored in partnership between Christchurch Council and English Heritage. By 2001 Highcliffe Castle had become a successful and thriving tourist attraction, wedding venue and gallery space.

The 18th-century mansion once home of the Earl of Bute, has recently been restored with National Lottery funding and includes woodland grounds and an ornamental garden. It has often been used as a backdrop for filming historical dramas.

Open 11am - 5pm daily in summer.

The Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre at Christchurch has a variety of activities for children of all ages.