Highclere (pronounced ) is a village and civil parish situated in the North Wessex Downs (an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty) in the Basingstoke and Deane district of Hampshire, England. It lies in the northern part of the county, near the Berkshire border. It is most famous for being the location of Highclere Castle, a noted Victorian house of the Earl of Carnarvon. It is the setting for numerous films and TV series, including ''Downton Abbey''.

History and buildings

The parish church of St Michael and All Angels sits between Highclere Castle and the main part of the village. This 'new' church (1870s) replaced a much older church sited adjacent to Highclere Castle, and parish records go back to pre-Norman times. There is a pub, the ''Red House'', a flourishing village hall and a private junior ('Prep') school, ''Thorngrove''. The church parish is part of the North West Hampshire Benefice (with Ashmansworth, Crux Easton, East Woodhay and Woolton Hill). The civil parish of Highclere has two wards, Highclere and Penwood. "Highclere Holly" (''Ilex, Ilex altaclerensis'') was first identified here and still flourishes in local woodlands. According to local legend there used to be a orca, grampus living in a yew, yew tree in the churchyard of the Highclere Estate Chapel. On 22 August 1213, King John stayed at Peter des Roches the Bishop of Winchester's manor at Highclere, then called Bishop's Clere. An itinerary of King Edward II lists him as spending 2 September 1320 there.Walter Money, Newbury, page 160

Economy

Highclere is home to a number of prominent local businesses that use locally and sustainably sourced products, such as Berkshire Fencing Supplies (formerly the Natural Garden site overlooking Highclere Castle) supplying a great range of natural home grow
hazel hurdles and willow fencing
which is very environmentally friendly compared to cutting more trees down. The local pub, the ''Red House'' serves a great range of organic local meats and poultry and a cafe, the ''Galloping Bistro'' serving fair trade coffee and an array of other local goodies.

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Villages in Hampshire Civil parishes in Basingstoke and Deane {{Hampshire-geo-stub

History and buildings

Economy

See also

References

External links