Retirement Properties Spotlight in Highcliffe-on-Sea

Highcliffe-on-Sea : Highcliffe-on-Sea overlooks Christchurch Bay close to the Dorset border and lies about three miles east of Christchurch. It has some popular and attractive beaches with extensive sands at Avon Reach to the west. In the 18th century Lord Bute commissioned the mansion, High Cliff, to be built and later Lord Stuart de Rothesay built his retirement home on the Highcliffe estate. The castle was to have many famous visitors including Gladstone and later the German Emperor.

Highcliffe Castle built in the Gothic style in the 1830's stands by a parking area from which visitors can descend to the beaches below. To the east is the dramatic promontory of Hengistbury Head below Christchurch Harbour which is now an important wildlife conservation area and archaeological site and to the west in contrast lies Hurst Castle on a spit of pebbles more than a mile long.