Contrary to its name, the Grade I Listed Highcliffe Castle is in fact an extravagantly ornate mansion house, built between 1831 – 1835 in the romantic and picturesque style of architecture. The building’s design was commissioned by 1st Baron Stuart de Rothsay to founder member of the RIBA, William Donthorne. It included a great deal of salvaged carved Medieval stonework imported for the project from across the channel.
Grade I Listed Highcliffe Castle - Christchurch, Dorset
Sir Charles Stuart spent some years posted at the Paris Embassy, holding the position of the British Ambassador to France. During this time he collected 18th century French style architectural fragments, stonework, stained glass windows, panelling, tapestries and books; many of which have been incorporated into Highcliffe Castle.
The Lord Stuart de Rothesay - original owner of Highcliffe Castle
It went on to have a varied history with many famous and notable people visiting and staying there. It was a family home until the early 1950s and then became a children’s convalescent home and later a training college for Claretian Missionary students. In 1966 it was up for sale and became Grade I Listed, it then laid empty for a decade and fell victim to fires, leaving it to ruin.
In 1994, funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and the Lottery Heritage Fund, a phased scheme to repair and conserve the ‘castle’ began. To ensure continued income streams to maintain the building, the East wing has been transformed into a dynamic heritage centre and other areas made fit to accept guests for wedding ceremonies and parties.
The Great Hall, an idyllic setting for many weddings
The original single glazed windows in what was to become the new exhibition spaces needed some attention. Due to the Listed status, secondary glazing was specified to provide high levels of security to LPS 1175 SR2 as well as improve the thermal performance creating a more even internal temperature; all in line with acceptable museum standards of humidity, light and security.
Working closely with Greendale and architects Rodney Melville and Partners; the Series 85 high-security horizontal sliders were installed, which has allowed the return of the Marshall Ney furniture from the V&A Museum, some of the original artefacts collected by Baron Stuart de Rothsay as well as other objects of high value.
Selectaglaze installed 3 high-security Series 85 2 –pane horizontal slider units, glazed with a 12mm Tecdur anti-bandit glass, which were certified to LPS 1175 SR2.
Series 85 high security horizontal sliders – LPS1175 SR2
Selectaglaze is proud to have been involved in a project that was not just about restoration, but also about creating a lasting legacy for Christchurch; supporting an attraction that will support the local economy and overall visitor experience for those visiting the Borough.
Grade I Listed Highcliffe Castle - Christchurch, Dorset
Sir Charles Stuart spent some years posted at the Paris Embassy, holding the position of the British Ambassador to France. During this time he collected 18th century French style architectural fragments, stonework, stained glass windows, panelling, tapestries and books; many of which have been incorporated into Highcliffe Castle.
The Lord Stuart de Rothesay - original owner of Highcliffe Castle
It went on to have a varied history with many famous and notable people visiting and staying there. It was a family home until the early 1950s and then became a children’s convalescent home and later a training college for Claretian Missionary students. In 1966 it was up for sale and became Grade I Listed, it then laid empty for a decade and fell victim to fires, leaving it to ruin.
In 1994, funded by Christchurch Borough Council, English Heritage and the Lottery Heritage Fund, a phased scheme to repair and conserve the ‘castle’ began. To ensure continued income streams to maintain the building, the East wing has been transformed into a dynamic heritage centre and other areas made fit to accept guests for wedding ceremonies and parties.
The Great Hall, an idyllic setting for many weddings
The original single glazed windows in what was to become the new exhibition spaces needed some attention. Due to the Listed status, secondary glazing was specified to provide high levels of security to LPS 1175 SR2 as well as improve the thermal performance creating a more even internal temperature; all in line with acceptable museum standards of humidity, light and security.
Working closely with Greendale and architects Rodney Melville and Partners; the Series 85 high-security horizontal sliders were installed, which has allowed the return of the Marshall Ney furniture from the V&A Museum, some of the original artefacts collected by Baron Stuart de Rothsay as well as other objects of high value.
Selectaglaze installed 3 high-security Series 85 2 –pane horizontal slider units, glazed with a 12mm Tecdur anti-bandit glass, which were certified to LPS 1175 SR2.
Series 85 high security horizontal sliders – LPS1175 SR2
Selectaglaze is proud to have been involved in a project that was not just about restoration, but also about creating a lasting legacy for Christchurch; supporting an attraction that will support the local economy and overall visitor experience for those visiting the Borough.- Date
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