Highcliffe Castle Tearooms

Never regularly open these days. Used to be a 4/5 stars such a shame.
Nov 8th, 2022

This tea rooms at a beautiful castle seems to be dying a slow, agonising death! A few years ago, I would have given it at least 4 stars, but since then, upon seeing a customer approaching (me) they quickly shut the doors about an hour before sheduled closing time. All I wanted was a cup of tea to take away, NOT a freshly made black forest gateau with an edible sculpture of Highcliffe Castle perched on top!!! Worse than that, I suggested to some visiting relatives that we go there for lunch, only to find that they were open but couldn't sell anything as their card machine wasn't working and they refused to take cash???? seriously messing up our plans. And on my most recent visit they were closed ''due to staff sickness'', or possibly lack of enthusuasm, I wondered. In the last few years their menu has gone from a full and varied one including main meals, to ciabattas with salad only, which, although nice, were then abolished and replaced by sausage rolls, which were not very nice, and on a later visit, found that they to had gone, in a further reduction of the menu to just sandwiches. And with signs all around saying, ''Thankyou for your understanding'' and ''Please be kind to our staff''. PLEASE, PLEASE, will somebody put this place out of its misery! Why doesn't Christchurch Council (who seem to own the castle and run the tea rooms, appallingly badly!) let out the separate building that houses the tea room to a private company to do something with it. In such a prime location, where it gets so busy most of the year, especially summer, it surely would be a goldmine to people who know how to make the most of it.
Oct 25th, 2022

A disappointing visit last week with a limited takeaway service only. With the colder weather now here this is a disappointing change and hopefully not a permanent one!
Sep 4th, 2022

Made a special trip here for a cream tea but only serve them with fruit in and not plain. Never seen that before in what is advertised as a tea room. Dog friendly and service for our cup of tea was quick. Update - appreciate the quick response, would be good if you updated your website then. Have upgraded to three stars in appreciation of your quick and courteous response
Sep 3rd, 2022

We went on a Tuesday afternoon asked for a hot Cornish pastie but was told no hot food after 3pm, yet customers who arrived a while after us managed to order a hot pastie!
Aug 15th, 2022