Panorama of the Great Hall at Highcliffe Castle. The panorama shows the restored interior of the hall after a recent fire. In the image is the stained glass window set into the northern wall and placements on the other walls that supported an elegant staircase.

This panoramic picture of the Great Hall of Highcliffe Castle is a shell of the former glory of the castle.

Highcliffe Castle Great Hall - Christchurch visitor guide showing a virtual tour of 'Highcliffe Castle Great Hall' linked to an interactive map with local and travel information. 360° panoramas from Dorset.

This panoramic picture shows the Great Hall of Highcliffe Castle near Christchurch in Dorset. The Great Hall suffered bad damage during the two fires in the 1960's which destroyed the staircase and almost all of the original furnishings. Restoration of the original staircase is currently hampered by both cost and current legislation requiring that landings be put in at various intervals. This would destroy the original architectural style.

In this picture you can clearly see the stained glass window set into the northern wall of the hall, the original came from France and is dated from the 16th Century. On the walls are the placements for an elegant staircase that was of unusual design and set into the walls. This would have formed an elegant ascent to the main landing. Some pictures in the hall show how it would have looked in former times. The door at the southern end of the hall, below what would have been the landing, lead out to the Octagon. This is currently the visitor entrance centre to the castle, but will become part of the Wedding Suite in 2008.

For now the Great Hall is used as a museum showing the history of Highcliffe Castle. The Great Hall used to be the main entrance to the castle. Presently visitors enter through the Octagon on the southeast side of the castle, though this will move to the East Tower once the refurbishment of the Wedding Suite is complete.

Highcliffe Castle,
Rothesay Drive,
Highcliffe, Dorset BH23 4LE

Highcliffe Castle is about 3 miles from the center of Christchurch next to Highcliffe Castle Golf Club. From Christchurch take the A35 followed by the A337 (Highcliffe Road). Rothesay Drive is off to the right from the A337.