AFTER months of being closed to the public, Highcliffe Castle reopened its doors to the public this month. Precautionary measures are in place to ensure social distancing, but we can once again sample much of what the historic building has to offer.
Originally was home to the Rothesay s The Grade 1 listed building was built for the diplomat Lord Stuart de Rothesay between 1831 and 1836 in the Gothic Revival style. Materials were used that had been salvaged from French medieval structures, including glass windows and stone gargoyles. Lord de Rothesay always had a fondness of the cliffs and building the castle was a life-long ambition. He had it furnished and decorated lavishly in the 18th-century French style.
OFFICIALS will discuss whether three play parks in Christchurch should be transferred to Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council, which could see the introduction of a sensory garden. Parks in Bluebell Close, Mudeford Wood and the whole of Highcliffe Recreation Ground could be passed to the parish council. Leader of BCP Council, Drew Mellor said: “This transfer is great news for the residents of Christchurch and Highcliffe in particular. Transferring these recreation sites over to the Parish Council will enable them to maintain the play and recreation offering for local residents within their Parish, and make enhancements which may include proposals for a sensory garden within Highcliffe Recreation Ground.”
A BOURNEMOUTH recreation ground and two play areas will be transferred to the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council. BCP Council confirmed in a public notice that Highcliffe Recreation Ground in Lymington Road, along with the two play areas at Bluebell Close and Mudeford Wood would be transferred to the parish council. The notice said: “BCP Council is proposing to transfer the whole of the Highcliffe Recreation Ground, Lymington Road, Highcliffe together with the two play areas at Bluebell Close and Mudeford Wood, Pipers Drive, Highcliffe to the Highcliffe and Walkford Parish Council. “The intention is that these areas will continue to be used as a recreation ground and play areas, but the parish council will be responsible for these areas instead of BCP Council.