In anticipation of our brand new day trip: Christchurch & Mr Selfridge Experience, we decided to find out a little more about the life and loves of Harry Gordon Selfridge, and who better to tell us than the man himself!
The Real Mr Selfridge Experience transports you back to 1916 the year that I, Harry Gordon Selfridge or the Earl of Oxford Street as my fellow retailers dubbed me, decided to bring my wife Rose and our four children to live at Highcliffe Castle in Dorset.
Highcliffe then was a sleepy backwater and the castle dominated the surrounding countryside, so called because it was built on a high cliff. My reason for relocating my family away from London was because of the increasing bombing raids and I was fearful for their safety. There was also some speculation that it also gave me the opportunity to spend more time with the French chanteuse Gaby Deslys.
I rented the castle from Stuart Wortley for the princely sum of £5000 per annum but the glorious views across the Solent more than made up for that. Although only a tenant I put in a lot of modern comforts at my own expense, such as heating, spending over £25000 during my tenure (A million pounds today).
On arrival you will be greeted by my wife Rose at the tearooms and over a glass of Bucks Fizz she will transport you back to 1916 and set the scene before escorting you across to the castle.
You will then be met by yours truly at the main doors and escorted into the Great Hall where I will take you through a potted history of my life , my mission to revolutionise shopping in England and leave my mark in more ways than one. It is a fascinating and entertaining story even though I say so myself , and you will be able to tell your friends and family you heard it from the man himself.
A well earned Edwardian cream tea served by our maids will be waiting for you on your return to the tearooms, where Rose and I will be on hand to answer any further questions you may have. We look forward to seeing you.
Our day trip Christchurch & The Mr Selfridge Experience is on Wednesdsay 29th June. To find out more about this trip, or to book your place, call our friendly sales team on 01243 868080.