The Castle Pantry at Highcliffe Castle

Rothesay Dr, Highcliffe, Christchurch BH23 4LE, United Kingdom
+44 1202 835838
$$$ Cafe , Restaurant , Tea house
(46 Reviews)
Price Range £1–10

Discover a delightful spot nestled within the serene grounds of Highcliffe Castle—The Castle Pantry. This charming café offers an inviting escape where history meets modern comfort, making it the perfect break for anyone exploring the beautiful surroundings of Christchurch.

The Castle Pantry is not just any café; it’s a haven for food lovers seeking quality with a touch of elegance. Picture yourself enjoying a beautifully presented selection of light bites, like their delectable olive and hummus board that makes for a perfect sharing platter. With prices as friendly as their atmosphere, the sandwiches are available at just £5.50, making it an accessible treat for all.

As you sip on a huge pot of tea, you can indulge in their freshly baked cakes. The Jaffa orange cake, raved about by guests, is light and utterly satisfying—a harmonious balance that dances on your palate. For those who enjoy an afternoon indulgence, ordering their afternoon tea is a must. For £47.50 for two, experience a delightful assortment of sandwiches, scrumptious scones accompanied by jam and cream, and an array of exquisite cakes that are sure to impress. The unlimited beverage refills only add to the experience, allowing you to linger and savor every moment.

The ambiance of The Castle Pantry is also noteworthy, featuring cheerful and attentive staff who ensure that your visit is pleasant and memorable. The setting is picturesque, allowing you to enjoy your meals outside in the fresh air, making it an ideal location on sunny days. With plenty of seating and even dog bowls scattered around, it’s a dog-friendly establishment where your furry friends are warmly welcomed. Guests like David Tee have praised the café for being a great halfway point on walks—complete with good coffee and a friendly atmosphere.

What truly sets The Castle Pantry apart are the genuine experiences shared by its customers. For instance, Rae Pitman (The15milefoodie) relished the charm of enjoying afternoon tea in the grounds of a castle, while others like Cheryl Dickinson expressed high praise for the friendly service and delicious scones. The positive vibes radiating from reviews is a testament to the café's dedication to customer satisfaction.

The Castle Pantry at Highcliffe Castle not only serves delicious food and beverages but does so in a way that enhances the majestic experience of being in such a historical and beautiful setting. Whether you’re stopping by for a light lunch after a long walk or indulging in a traditional cream tea, this café will leave you feeling refreshed and eager to return. Don’t miss out on this gem during your visit to Highcliffe Castle—place your order and immerse yourself in delightful flavors and warm hospitality that you won't soon forget!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Service options
Has outdoor seating
On-site services available
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Has great tea selection
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Has free water refills
Sells prepared foods
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Has catering
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Has Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Crowd
Family friendly
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Planning
Accepts reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Accepts NFC mobile payments
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Parking
Paid parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours

Monday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Tuesday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Wednesday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Thursday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Friday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Saturday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Sunday

9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

46 Reviews
Tracey Ross

27 Aug 2025

Stopped in for a light lunch after long walk. Pot tea, olive & hummus board and piece if Jaffa orange cake. Huge pot of tea. Hummus board was lovely and the perfect amount for 2 to share. The jaffa cake was amazing, very light. Not too expensive and a lively setting outside.

Rae Pitman (The15milefoodie)

22 Aug 2025

Ordering afternoon tea in the grounds of a castle is a lovely thing to do on a sunny afternoon. For £47.50 for 2 you can expect a selection of sandwiches, huge scones with jam and cream and a choice of cakes from their beautifully displayed counter. Together with unlimited refills of beverages.

David Tee

20 Aug 2025

Very friendly and great to see it open. Very nicely fitted out, in a lovely setting. Coffee good. This is a great midway point from Mudeford. Will be back. Wi fi good too. Update: our dog loves the last of the pot of tea and milk. Plenty of DoggoTeano to go round!!

Rosa Foulger

22 Jul 2025

Happy and friendly staff, keeping tables cleared. Tables were plentiful and tableware was clean. Food was really nice. We had a Cheese and herb scone (that was very tasty indeed) and a hot pasty and a pot of tea and an Americano. Your dogs are very welcome here as there were dog bowls scattered around too. All in all a very pleasant visit.

Rog Edwards

29 Jun 2025

Went for a large group Christmas lunch which was a full 3 courses and tea/coffee. All the food was rated very good and there was a plenty of choice (we did order ahead) including fish and Veggie. Lots of nice touches with the food such as fresh red currents and an unusual cheese

Cheryl Dickinson

11 Jun 2025

We stopped off for cream tea and have to say it was fantastic! Lovely friendly service, beautiful setting and delicious scones. We will definitely be back and would highly recommend.

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