Highcliffe Castle cook up some future history with time capsule concealed in oven

A HISTORIC 19th century oven was used to hide away a time capsule at Highcliffe Castle in celebration of the imminent completion of its east wing restoration.

Inside the capsule is some castle memorabilia, a short piece on the castle’s history, modern money, and photos of the project team who worked on the development, the staff team and volunteers.

Part of the original kitchen layout dating back to the 1830s, the Court Rumford oven is no longer in working order and has recently undergone repair alongside an antique Eagle range.

Kate Ingham, heritage team leader at Highcliffe Castle said: “We decided to mark this recent phase of the work to the castle by hiding a time capsule for a future generation to discover.

“This is an exciting time for the castle and its team and we are looking forward to the opening of the east wing from early April onwards, with an official opening in late May 2019.”

Renovation of the castle’s east wing has mainly been funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund, with further support from The Wolfson Foundation, Country Houses Foundation, the Pilgrim’s Trust, Christchurch and East Dorset Council and carried out by Greendale Construction Ltd.

The repair and preservation of the Rumford oven and Eagle range was completed by Context Engineering Ltd.