What is "highclere"

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.

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.

Highclere (1971–1992) was a British thoroughbred racehorse owned by Queen Elizabeth II. In a racing career lasting from summer 1973 until October 1974 she ran eight times and won three races. Highclere won one minor race as a two-year-old but improved to win the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse and Prix de Diane at Chantilly. She later finished second to Dahlia in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. She retired at the end of the season to become a highly successful and influential broodmare.

Highclere is a village and civil parish located in Hampshire, England.

Highclere may also refer to:

• De Havilland Highclere, a single-engined 15-passenger biplane airliner introduced in 1925
• Highclere (horse) (197192), a British Thoroughbred racehorse owned by Queen Elizabeth II
• Highclere Castle, a country house in the Jacobethan style near Highclere, the main filming location for the British television period drama Downton Abbey and for the British comedy series Jeeves and Wooster with Stephen Fry and Hugh Laurie
• Highclere railway station, a former railway station near Highclere
• Highclere, Kingsclere and Basingstoke Light Railway, proposed in 1900 but never constructed