Highcliffe

including Mudeford & Walkford

Highcliffe Castle
© Alan Sturgess/Dorset OPC 2025

Highcliffe or Highcliffe-on-Sea is a seaside town in the civil parish of Highcliffe and Walkford. It is part of the historic county of Hampshire but from 1974 was transferred to the ceremonial county of Dorset. Highcliffe is situated to the east of Christchurch and Bournemouth, to the west of Barton on Sea and New Milton. The New Forest National Park is to the north. Highcliffe was formerly a chapelry in the parish of Christchurch, on 1 October 1897 Highcliffe became a separate civil parish, on 1 April 1932 the parish was abolished and merged with Christchurch. In 1931 the parish population was 1738. Christchurch and Highcliffe are part of the Diocese of Winchester, hence parish records are deposited at the Hampshire Record Office in Winchester.

Highcliffe began life as a hamlet with the unfortunate name of “Slop Pond”. Over time, the name of Slop Pond was changed to the more agreeable, "Newtown", but this change was short lived as various iterations produced "High Cliffe" -"Highcliff", before finally arriving at "Highcliffe" which is what it is known as today. Now, a seaside village sitting atop cliffs overlooking The Solent and Isle of Wight, it is a place where people come to retire and with more than 35% of the population over seventy, it has the highest per capita percentage in the UK. However, the coast also attracts holidaymakers and Highcliffe is no exception, with a booming tourist trade.

The name High Cliffe came from a property built by the Earl of Bute circa 1770 which was later demolished, being replaced by the building that is now Highcliffe Castle (above). The castle was built by the Earl’s grandson Lord Stuart de Rothesay and much of the stone and stained glass was shipped over by him from France during his service as Ambassador in Paris. It is now a Grade 1 listed building having been renovated with Lottery funding and other donations.

St Mark’s Church, Highcliffe (right) was built on land donated by Lord Stuart de Rothesay. He also contributed generously to the cost of the building. The church was designed by local builder John Bemister, with some input from architect Benjamin Ferrey. The foundation stone was laid on April 14, 1842, and the church was opened on January 27, 1843. Extensive renovations were made in the early 1990s, transforming the church's interior and adding new spaces like the foyer, choir vestry, and library.

Highcliffe played a major role during the late 1700s when smuggling contraband was rife all along the coast. Chewton Bunny, which now marks the eastern boundary of both Highcliffe and the county of Dorset, was a popular route for smugglers as its sand bars and quicksand made life very difficult for revenue men in pursuit of them. From Chewton Bunny, essentially a stream descending to the beach through woodland, the smugglers would walk through the night and access the New Forest from where the contraband would be sold. But a part of the goods would sometimes find its way into the arms of local landowners who often turned a blind eye to the trade. Now, children play where smugglers once trod and Chewton Bunny remains a popular place to walk.

St Mark's Church
© Alan Sturgess/Dorset OPC 2025

The Online Parish Clerk (OPC) for Highcliffe is Alan Sturgess
You may contact me by e-mail if you have further queries.