AN exhibition documenting the amazing changes to Highcliffe Castle will run through the summer.

Just a few weeks after filming for Mr Selfridge took place at the historic cliff top castle, the venue is holding an exhibition on the last 60 years of the attraction.

'The Rise of the Phoenix: The Last 60 Years' opens this Friday, and runs until Sunday, September 13.

This exhibition tells the story of the last 60 years of the Castle, from the time it became a Roman Catholic seminary, its purchase by three local businessmen for development, the fires and subsequent decay, the purchase by Christchurch Borough Council and the process of gradual repair, until the current chapter, where officials have put in a Heritage Lottery Fund bid for almost £3m for the Phoenix Flies Project.

Curator Kelly Mitchel, who put together the exhibition, said: “Rise of the Phoenix is an apt title. The phoenix is a mythical bird that rises anew from the ashes of its funeral pyre before taking flight, and that’s what the Castle is doing - not yet flying but not far off.

"We also wanted our visitors to discover the true story of the Castle, from a point in the 1970s when demolition may have become a reality, to where we are today when the Castle is an important visitor attraction and internationally acclaimed heritage site."

As well as telling the story of the past, the exhibition explains plans for the future.

These include the restoration of the historic kitchens, conservation of the significant stained glass collection within a dedicated training studio, display of original furniture on loan from the Victoria and Albert Museum, new educational facilities and more.

Visitors are encouraged to give their feedback to help prepare the final funding application due in December.

As part of the summer exhibition, Highcliffe is also joining national celebrations for the Bicentenary of the Battle of Waterloo, which took place on June 18, 1815.

A spectacular diorama of some 4,000 model soldiers will be a feature exhibit, created and loaned to the Castle by local historian and expert on the Napoleonic Wars, Martin Axton.

Throughout the exhibition, the Castle will be hosting a series of talks relating to Waterloo by Stephen Petty, fellow of the International Napoleonic Society and Member of the Waterloo Association.