Latest News

Twelfth Night starts Open-Air Season

Highcliffe Castle is preparing for another summer of sunshine, picnics and literature with its summer outdoor theatre programme. The season starts off on Wednesday the 26^th June at 7pm when Quantum Theatre perform their adaptation of Shakespeare’s enchanting comedy Twelfth Night.

Shipwrecked on the shores of Ilyria and believing her brother to be dead our heroine, Viola, disguises herself as a page boy to work for Orsino, the local Duke, who is awash with unrequited love for Lady Olivia. All manner of comic mix-ups over mistaken identities ensue, whilst below stairs plots involving yellow stockings are afoot to take the pompous Malvolio down a peg or two.

Following on from this performance the Castle will host two more Wednesday night productions. With The Festival Players presenting Romeo and Juliet on Wednesday 24^th July and The Pantaloons performing their adaptation of Sherlock Holmes on Wednesday 31^st July.

The season will then finish with a family friendly Shakespeare themed production entitled the Isle of the Bard which takes place during the day on Sunday 18^th August. Local theatre company Bok Theatre will take the audience on a mystical tour a place where the spirits of Shakespeare’s characters roam, waiting to embody their human form, play-out their favourite scenes, sing-out their favourite lines and touch their spectators' hearts!

“The outdoor productions are a highlight of the Castle’s event season and this year we have an exciting mix of productions from the romance of Romeo and Juliet to the intrigue of Sherlock Holmes”.

The shows take place in the grounds of Highcliffe Castle, set against the backdrop of this magnificent Grade I Listed building. Tickets are on sale now from the Castle on 01425 278807.

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WORKSHOP SET IN STONE AT HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE

The carved stonework at Highcliffe Castle is one of the main attractions of the building with much of it dating back to medieval times. And the repairs to the masonry were a major part of the cost of bringing the Castle back from the brink of destruction during the 1990s. Now the public can experience what it is like to carve a piece of stone, in a one day workshop with expert tutoring from Sarah Moore, who returns to the Castle this year with her Stone Carving Workshop on Tuesday 25^th June.

This is an outdoor event so please wear suitable clothes that will get dirty.You may need a warm fleece or sun hap depending on the weather. The workshop runs between 10am and 4.30pm with a one hour lunch break.

There are limited places on this course with only a few remaining so please contact us to make a booking. The cost is £39.50 which includes all day parking. Contact the Castle on 01425 278807 or drop into our reception.

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FREE CONCERTS TO BRIGHTEN UP YOUR SUMMER

There’s no such thing as a free lunch….but there is such a thing as a FREE CONCERT. And not just one, Highcliffe Castle is offering a series of six free outdoor Sunday afternoon concerts during the summer months, starting on 2nd June.

“We are determined to brighten up this year’s summer with these free concerts. And free actually means free. There really is no admission charge so the only costs you may incur are car parking, unless you chose to walk, and a voluntary contribution to the collection at each concert, but I stress that is purely up to each individual.”

Highcliffe Castle opened to the public 18 years ago and during the years has built a solid reputation as an arts provider generally and supporter of live music, both professional and amateur or community bands, giving musicians an opportunity to perform in front of considerable audiences.

The 2013 season strikes up on 2^nd June with the Christchurch and Highcliffe Band playing between 2pm and 4pm. The season continues as follows:

16 June, 1pm to 4pm Jazz & Swing Concert: GOJO on Father’s Day

30th June, 2pm to 4pm Bournemouth & District Concert Band

14th July, 3pm to 6pm Charity Jazz & Swing Concert

1st September, 1pm to 4pm Jazz & Swing Concert: Swing Unlimited Big Band

8th September 3pm to 4pm Adur Concert Band

As these are outdoor concerts, set against the magnificent background of the Castle, they are weather-dependant so check the Castle web site or Facebook page before setting out. Visitors are advised to bring their own rugs or low-backed seating. The Castle car park may be busy so please walk, cycle, use public transport or use other local car parks.

The Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms, shop and galleries remain open during all or most of the performances.

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Gordon Selfridge and Highcliffe Castle

The life story of American business tycoon Harry Gordon Selfridge, founder of the famous London department store, has been made into an ITV drama series, which comes to our screens during January 2013. Although based in London from the early 1900s, Gordon Selfridge has many links with the local area. He was a tenant here at Highcliffe Castle from 1916 - 1921, when he rented the property as his South-Coast home. Selfridge himself, his wife and his mother are all buried at St Marks Church, Highcliffe. Here at the Castle we are really excited about this new TV drama and although the first series will focus on Selfridge's earlier life, there are strong hopes that future series will follow the rest of his story and bring Highcliffe Castle in to the realm. Keep your eyes open for the ITV drama starting soon. Click here to check out ITV's news on the drama

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Highcliffe Castle to bid for Heritage Lottery Money

Christchurch Borough Council is now well under way to making a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) to complete the next phase of repair at Highcliffe Castle.

This phase will reopen the Penleaze wing of the Castle, and create a new heritage centre with uninterrupted access to the public. A key feature of the project will be the repair, conservation and display of the medieval stained glass collection of Lord Stuart de Rothesay.

The original Victorian kitchen will be repaired and it is also hoped that some of the original Marshal Ney furniture will be returned on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum. Work will not be confined to the Grade 1 listed Castle, but will also develop the grounds into a heritage park.

The HLF may contribute up to 90 per cent of the project costs which are estimated at £2 million.

The project will improve the access and participation in heritage activities for everyone and will also enable the business activities in the Castle to prosper, securing a sustainable future for this magnificent building. The economic benefit to the whole Borough will also be improved as more people are tempted to visit the town, stay and spend with local shops and services.

A pre-application form will soon be submitted to the HLF and a favourable response will start the full application process, which will take approximately 18 months.

(January 2013)