Highcliffe Castle Tearooms — Restaurant in Great Britain

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...

Very popular tea room in a great setting. Plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. Dogs are allowed outside and also owners can use the first few tables inside. There's always dog bowls filled with water and free dog biscuits. Wheelchair access is made possible via a low inclined concrete ramp. Although the outside area is mainly gravel which could be difficult. Outside provides great views of the castle and grounds with the sea in the distance. The outside is south facing so is busy all year round. The tea room offers an array of hot and cold drinks, cakes, sandwiches, cooked food and most...

Only came because friend bought us vouchers - been dissapointed before and no better this time - walked an hour to get lunch - arrived 2.30pm and they were bringing out lunches - got to till was told kitchen normally open to 3pm but now closed as they had to deal with a delivery - couldnt even pop a sausage roll in the microwave - all they had was 4 bits of cake plus pre-wrapped stuff - would have loved some warm dorset apple cake with cream but all gone and didnt offer to get another one out - people after me must have been dissapointed too with no food...