OS grid reference SU4384060837 Country England Post town NEWBURY Local time Saturday 10:45 AM Dialling code 01635 | Region South East Sovereign state United Kingdom Shire county Hampshire District Basingstoke and Deane UK parliament constituency North West Hampshire | |
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Population 1,606 (2011 Census including Woolton Hill) Weather 11°C, Wind S at 14 km/h, 91% Humidity | ||
Highclere (pronounced /ˈhaɪklɪər/) 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.
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Map of Highclere, Newbury, UK
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 altaclerensis) was first identified here and still flourishes in local woodlands.
There is said to be a grampus living in a yew tree in the churchyard of the Highclere Estate Chapel.