The Cliffhanger refreshment room has opened at Highcliffe on the site of the much-missed Crow’s Nest cafe which was destroyed by fire seventeen years ago.
The new name reflects the location above the coast path steps leading down to Chewton Bunny.
The venture has been masterminded by Sean Kearney who runs the tearoom at nearby Highcliffe Castle which has long been a welcome staging post for coast path walkers. However, there are plans for the Cliffhanger to be open for longer hours and in addition to a restaurant there are facilities for serving snacks.
The Cliffhanger opens at 8am for breakfast (from £4.95) and the lunchtime menu includes soup and a roll (£3.75) and jacket potatoes with fillings (from £4.95). In the afternoon there are cream teas (£4.50).
The chef is Ian Hewitt from Southbourne’s Bistro on the Beach which manages to combine serving good quick food for passing walkers with serious dining, especially in the evenings. The Cliffhanger will start opening until 10pm later this summer.
The rebuilding, to a striking new design, includes new public toilets.
See page 69 in the book. The Cliffhanger is where the route crosses the end of Waterford Road.
