Highcliffe Castle Phase 7 - Building Works

Tender description

Highcliffe Castle is a Grade 1 listed building of national importance and dates back to 1830-1835. Following substantial fires in the 1960s and periods of decay and ruination, the building was subject to substantial repair and conservation of the external shell during the 1990s. This work was supported by the owners Christchurch Borough Council along with English Heritage and the Heritage Lottery Fund. The castle is currently used as a Visitor Centre with permanent and changing exhibitions, wedding venue along with a wide range of events and functions. In recent years the castle has featured in television programmes including Mr Selfridge, Antiques Roadshow and Flog It amongst others. Information on Highcliffe Castle can be found at:- www.highcliffecastle.co.uk Highcliffe Castle is found at Rothesay Drive, Highcliffe, Christchurch, Dorset. BH23 4LE Christchurch Borough Council has secured a further award from the Heritage Lottery Fund to support works under this contract procurement. The building project aims to: - Repair and conserve further elements of the remaining building fabric and finishes - Restore the structural fabric of the East wing of the Castle, offering the public access for the first time including the conservation/restoration of the historic kitchens; - Provide improved exhibition space accessible by all - Improve internal access around parts of the building open to the public - Undertake conservation work to an internationally important collection of stained glass by providing a new conservation studio offering opportunities for training whilst the public view the work in progress; - Enable the return the original furniture to the Castle currently held in storage by the V&A which contains Nationally significant pieces; - Support the reinterpretation and redisplay the whole Castle significantly improving the visitors understanding of the story of the Grade 1 Castle and grounds;