THE tea rooms at Highcliffe Castle are set to re-open after being closed for 21 months.

The newly refurbished ‘Castle Pantry’ tea rooms are due to officially open on Thursday, August 22.

Highcliffe Castle Tea Rooms was closed in November 2022, and has remained empty ever since, with temporary tenders filling a mobile food truck outside the castle.

New operators Adventure Attractions have carried out extensive renovations to ensure the Castle Pantry has a ‘fresh new look’.

The company described how they have ‘blended the charm of a traditional British tea room with modern comforts’.

Castle PantryCastle Pantry (Image: KateShawPR)

Since mid-July, visitors have enjoyed a preview of the new tea rooms' offerings, but the official launch promises a delicious menu of hot meals, traditional high tea, and cream tea, available daily from 9 AM to 5 PM.

Chris Liddard, general manager of the Castle Pantry, has expressed his gratitude for the community's support.

He said: "We have been incredibly happy with the response and warm welcome received so far and are excited for our official launch.

"We are excited to welcome locals and tourists alike and aim to delight our visitors with our delectable food options.

“The Castle Pantry will also serve as a versatile venue for various events, from intimate gatherings to community functions.

The Castle PantryThe Castle Pantry (Image: KateShawPR)

“By collaborating with local suppliers like the award-winning Shelley’s Bakery, which was recently recognised as one of the top five bakers in BCP, the tea rooms ensure high-quality products for their patrons.

“To foster a sense of community, the Castle Pantry has introduced a loyalty reward card for regular visitors and is inviting local groups and clubs to consider hosting meetings or small events at the tea rooms. We are keen to become a key local community hub.”

As a special promotion, visitors can join the Castle Pantry mailing list for a chance to win a luxurious high tea experience, complete with a glass of prosecco.

For your chance to enter the giveaway join the mailing list before August 22. Winners will be selected at random.