Highcliffe Castle, Lymington Road, Christchurch, Dorset
The original house here was built about 1775 for the third Earl of Bute. It did not stand on the exact site of the present building and was washed away in 1794. The present Highcliffe Castle was built by Lord Stuart de Rothesay in 1830-34. The architect was W J Donthorne who collaborated with 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 Manoir des Andelys. It was in this window that Henri IV stood waiting for his father to die in 1562. The house has suffered from several fires, and when inspected in June 1977 was in a derelict and overgrown condition.
