Where to Go
HIGHCLIFFE BEACH
Unspoiled and with views to the Isle of Wight Needles
Highcliffe beach is a mixture of pebble & sand and offers safe swimming. It's also ideal for watersports, such as windsurfing; body boarding; and kayaking. With Highcliffe being atop a "high cliff", access to the beach is via a wheelchair-friendly ramp and/or steps (which are quite steep).
Nearest car parks are at Highcliffe Castle and the Cliff Top Car Park.
HIGHCLIFFE CASTLE
Formerly the home of retail magnate Harry Gordon Selfridge
Highcliffe Castle is a magnificent Grade 1 Listed cliff-top mansion - built in the 1830's by Lord Stuart de Rothesay and well worth a visit.
Located in beautiful grounds, with Tea Rooms and views out to sea.
Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4LE
CHEWTON BUNNY
Explore the Smugglers' landing place!
Chewton Bunny is now a nature reserve, rich in woodland wildlife including a number of ancient natural woodland species, but back in the day, it was used as a natural landing place for smugglers to transport their contraband to places such as Burley in the New Forest. It has a miniature gorge with a stream (the Walkford Brook) that runs from the forest to the sea at Highcliffe.
Wharncliffe Road, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5JA
NEA MEADOWS
Highcliffe's hidden gem
Nea Meadows is a delightful spot that can be found just a short walk from the centre of Highcliffe village where you'll find a variety of natural habitats, fishing and woodland.
Smugglers Lane South, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4NG
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This PDF publication, available to download, gives you a fascinating insight into some of the local influencers of their time.
ST MARK'S CHURCH MEMORIALS
Discover the Memorials situated in St Marks Church of those whose lives are commemorated, such as Charles, Lord Stuart de Rothesay and his wife Elizabeth. The Memorials Book has been compiled from a series of articles originating from a talk given by Audrey Brinsford to the Hampshire Genealogical Society in 1999.
Hinton Wood Avenue, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5AA
STEAMER POINT NATURE RESERVE
There are several benches and seats overlooking the coast, so why not take a picnic!
Between Highcliffe Castle and Friar's Cliff you'll find a beautiful wooded nature reserve - Steamer Point. It covers around 24 acres and predominantly comprises deciduous woodland, with some areas of grassland, ponds and wetland.
Seaway Avenue, Friar's Cliff, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 4PD
Let's get out there!
For those who enjoy cycling, Christchurch has over 24 miles of cycle network and half of this is traffic-free!
Click HERE for a map of the routes available.
No bike? No Problem!
Introducing.... Beryl Bikes!
If you don't have access to a bike, you can still enjoy the great outdoors! Collect a Beryl Bike from any of the locations available - we have lots in the neighbourhood and surrounds - for all the info you need, click the button below to visit Beryl Bikes' website.
Visitors' Favourites!
Many visitors take photos while they're here to share with friends.
So, if you've got a favourite, and you're ok with us featuring it in our visitors' gallery, use the box below to upload it.
No photos of humans please - unless it's a selfie and you're happy to share!