Highcliffe |
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About Highcliffe
Highcliffe is today the most easterly parish in Dorset but was
originally in the county of Hampshire. With a wild slipping short cliff
down to sea, there are nice coastal views across the groynes, built to
halt the erosion, to the Isle of Wight. Highcliffe consists mainly of
recent houses, in well wooded surroundings, with a shopping street that
runs parallel to the sea. Set back from it is the main claim to fame,
Highcliffe Castle.
An odd but attractive building on a large scale, Highcliffe Castle was
built in the 1830's in a Romantic Gothic style which is enhanced by the
inclusion of real late Gothic French features such as the very elaborate
oriel window above the porch and the windows to the right of it. The hall
by the road has the appearance of a church. The house was burnt in the
1960's and has now been restored ti it's former glory. A park around the
house, with the woodland and small garden south of the house are open
to the public.
The church of St. Mark in Hinton Wood Avenue was largely built in 1843
was paid for by the owner of Highcliffe Castle, but is largely plain and
lacks the eccentricity of the castle
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