A new exhibition at Highcliffe Castle is exploring how the village developed over several centuries.
Running until October 2026, the display traces Highcliffe’s journey from a small hamlet known as Slop Pond to the coastal community seen today, using historic photographs, archive film footage and locally connected objects.
The story begins in 1773, when Lord Bute built a cliff-top home called High Cliff, which later inspired residents to campaign for a new name and helped establish a clearer identity for the growing village.
Highcliffe Castle also influenced the area’s development, with parts of its former 175-acre estate becoming streets, homes and community spaces, while land was donated for Highcliffe St Mark’s Church and sold for wartime needs and housing.
Councillor Andy Martin said the exhibition gives “a fascinating insight” into Highcliffe’s development, while Alexandra Allen-Smith said loans from St Mark’s Church and Naish Farm Archives had helped create “a fascinating glimpse into Highcliffe’s past”.
The exhibition was curated by Highcliffe Castle staff and volunteers and is open now – see this page for more details.
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