During the time that the Stuart Wortleys owned the Castle it was rented several times.
One of the most notable tenants from 1916 to 1922 was the American-born retail entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge.
He lived there with his wife Rosalie, his mother Lois and son Gordon.

At the age of 21, Wisconsin-born Selfridge joined the wholesale retail firm of Marshall, Field and Co in Chicago, where he worked for 25 years.
He rose to become a junior partner, and amassed a considerable fortune.
In 1906 he came to London and opened his own store, Selfridges, in 1909.
It was a huge success as he introduced new American ways of marketing.

In 1916 Selfridge leased Highcliffe Castle.
Although he was only a tenant he set about fitting modern bathrooms, installing steam central heating and building and equipping a modern kitchen.
During the War Rose opened a tented retreat called the Mrs Gordon Selfridge Convalescent Camp for American Soldiers in the castle grounds.
Unfortunately Rose died in 1918 and Harry's mother Lois died in 1924.
Harry did not do well after this and squandered his money, giving up the lease to Highcliffe in 1922.
He died almost penniless in 1947 in Putney, and is buried in St Marks Churchyard at Highcliffe next to his wife and mother.
During the time that the Stuart Wortleys owned the Castle it was rented several times. One of the most notable tenants from 1916 to 1922 was the American-born retail entrepreneur Harry Gordon Selfridge. He lived there with his wife Rosalie, his mother Lois and son Gordon.
At the age of 21, Wisconsin-born Selfridge joined the wholesale retail firm of Marshall, Field and Co in Chicago, where he worked for 25 years. He rose to become a junior partner, and amassed a considerable fortune. In 1906 he came to London and opened his own store, Selfridges, in 1909. It was a huge success as he introduced new American ways of marketing.
In 1916 Selfridge leased Highcliffe Castle. Although he was only a tenant he set about fitting modern bathrooms, installing steam central heating and building and equipping a modern kitchen. During the War Rose opened a tented retreat called the Mrs Gordon Selfridge Convalescent Camp for American Soldiers in the castle grounds. Unfortunately Rose died in 1918 and Harry's mother Lois died in 1924. Harry did not do well after this and squandered his money, giving up the lease to Highcliffe in 1922. He died almost penniless in 1947 in Putney, and is buried in St Marks Churchyard at Highcliffe next to his wife and mother.
Highcliffe Castle