About
Highcliffe Castle sits above the beach on the outskirts of Christchurch in Dorset. The Castle was built between 1831 and 1836 by Lord Stuart de Rothesay on the site of an earlier mansion built by his grandfather, the 3rd Earl of Bute, in the 1770s.
The beach is part of a continuous stretch, marked by the eastern end of the wave wall at Friars Cliff Beach and the start of the rock groynes at Highcliffe Beach.
Dog Access and Rules
Are dogs allowed at Highcliffe Castle? Only assistance dogs are permitted inside the Castle, but dogs are welcome on the beach and on leads in the grounds, cafe and gift shop.
Things To See & Do
The Castle sits on 14 acres of land, with formal gardens and woodland connecting up to Steamer Point Nature Reserve. Woodland walks, outstanding viewpoints and excellent picnic sites make the grounds very popular for dog walks.
A sloping zigzag path leads to the sand and shingle beach.
Access and Facilities
The castle has a cafe that allows dogs inside and out, plus toilets and a gift shop. Note that the parking in the woods at Highcliffe Castle can fill up early in good weather. You can park on the Highcliffe cliff-top and follow the Coastal Path to the Castle and then onto the beach.
