Listed Building record MDO8765 - Highcliffe Castle, Christchurch

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Summary

Highcliffe Castle was built in 1773 and re-constructed as a gothic mansion in 1831-34 by W J Donthorne for Lord Stuart de Rothesay. It incorporates a large amount of medieval French masonry.

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Type and Period (1)

GREAT HOUSE (Constructed, Hanoverian - 1831 AD to 1834 AD)

Full Description

Highcliffe Castle, a 'singular medley of architecture' replaced a mansion built by Lord Bute which was washed away. <1> A mansion built in 1831-4 to the design of W J Donthorne for Lord Stuart de Rothesay. Incorporated within the Gothic house are important examples of French Medieval architecture and sculpture, in particular the oriel window on the South Front salvaged from the Grand Manior des Andelys. It was in this window that Henri IV stood waiting for his father to die in 1562. Some portions of the 12th century arcading from Jumieges Abbey are built into the flanks of the entrance porch. The house has suffered from several fires, and when inspected in June 1977 was in a derelict and overgrown condition. <5-6>

Sources/Archives (10)

<1> SWX4467 Bibliographic reference: Hope Moncrieff, A R (ed). 1904. Black's guide to Hampshire. 23-4.
<2> SWX1540 Map: Ordnance Survey. Ordnance Survey Map 6in. 6 inch to 1 mile. 1969.
<3> SWX1161 Unpublished document: Aldsworth, F G. Various. Field Investigators Comments FGA. F1 FGA 22-JUL-69.
<4> SWX3500 Monograph: Pevsner N and Lloyd D. 1973. The Buildings of England: Hampshire and the Isle of Wight (1973). 291-3.
<5> SWX4475 Scheduling record: DOE (HRR). 1976. List of Buildings of Special Architectural or Historic Interest: Borough of Christchurch 1976. Vol 748. 90.
<6> SWX4465 Unpublished document: 1977. Department of the Environment (IAM) Ancient Monument Record Form: Highcliffe Castle.
<7> SWX4466 Unpublished document: 1988. English Heritage Record Form: Highcliffe Castle.
<8> SDO16980 Unpublished document: Bellamy, P. 2016. Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset. Investigation of Historic Paths in Rothesay Park.
<9> SDO15256 Unpublished document: Bellamy, P. 2016. Highcliffe Castle, Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Dorset. Test Pit Investigation of the East Wing.
<10> SDO14739 Digital archive: National Record of the Historic Environment. 459196.

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Location

Grid reference	Centred SZ 2030 9319 (97m by 57m) (2 map features)
Map sheet	SZ29SW